If you're planning to move to Brooklyn and you have no idea which neighborhood you'd like to live in this book might be for you -- otherwise, don't bother! The author doesn't go beyond the basic stereotypes for each neighborhood, i.e. "Greenpoint sure is clean! All those Poles!" or "Williamsburg is full of artists!" and the bar, gallery, and restaurant listings are very out of date. I think "real" Brooklyners (not me!) would be even more disappointed than I was with this book.

This is still the most comprehensive guidebook to old and new Brooklyn. And, a little birdie tells me that there's another one in the pipeline...

Wanna check out Brooklyn. Dis is da book for you. The author covers a huge city in its own right with quick, snappy reviews of the best restaurants, stores and things to do in Brooklyn. Everyone I know who lives in Brooklyn has one and swears by it, and we carry ours in the car. I just wish she'd write an update!

Although it's a little light on the 50's and 60's overall this is a good read. Great presentation. Nice photography.

This is one wonderful book. It gives a better understanding of Brooklyn's surroundings. I particularly found interesting the histories of Street-names. Now I'd like to know the histories of all the neighborhoods of NYC: Queens, the Bronx, Manhattan, and last and definitely least, Staten Island, particularly the neighborhood of Grasmere.

One of the most accurate portrayals of Brooklyn ever. Accurate neighborhood borders and fantastic descriptions. I was especially fond of Professor John Manbeck's historic "time line" added to this book. Well worth the price!

I briefly saw the review under mine, and I agree. This book isn't the best guide book I have bought - and I wouldn't reccomend it to others. Sure, it has some ok reviews of places to eat and shops, but not a lot else. The layout isn't that appealing or friendly to use and I HAVE seen better. Usually I buy "Lonely Planet" (I dont know why I didnt this time! ) so if going to New York city, I dont think you should buy this book. "Lonely Planet" guides are a lot easier to read and include EVERYTHING you need to know. Anyways, this is just my opinion, I'm a traveller and I wanted a good travel book and this didn't provide.

Used to Fodors and Lonely Planet books, I thought I'd try this one as it came so highly recommeded. I found it to be disorganized, with an awful index. There was very little history or neighborhood information that I'm so used to with the other travel books. It also doesn't keep restaurants, museums, hotels, etc. separate in the listings; it's very easy to miss stuff. Some of the restaurants have their logo above their review, which makes me wonder if some of them paid for placement. When we got to New York, we left the book in the hotel room and successfully relied on advice from the concierge, cabbies and just wandering around. Personally, I'd recommend Lonely Planet or Fodors!

I purchased the Access New York City guide earlier this year for my first trip to the Big Apple. My trip was made quite easy by the Access guide, which is incredible when you consider the complexities of New York City. It really is complete and just about all you need for a successful trip. Highly recommended!

Philly Dogs have More Fun is a comprehensive source of local attraction information for the dog and it's owner. The book is organized intelligently by region - giving travelers an easy way to lessen the scope of their search for fun and dog-friendly places to visit.

Armen is careful to specify in what capacity dogs are received at each of the many parks, cafes, museums and other attractions. It is doubtful that even Philadelphians are aware of just how many attractions there are in their area. The open and personable approach to the subject has me ready to explore both on and off the beaten paths of Philly.

Perhaps the only area of improvement would be in the index which could have been more detailed.

Ms. Armen has written an extraordinarily helpful book. Never before have Philly dog owners and dog lovers had guidance about where they could take their four legged friends. I have lived in the Philadelphia area for 12 years and I was unaware of most of attractions Ms. Armen located. Her book explains in detail where you can take your dog and how the dog will be treated there (dog biscuits, water etc.) I highly recommend this book for dog owners, but also for the Philadelphian who wants new entertainment. This book certainly identifies fun for the entire family.

I am really enjoying this book a lot (and so is my dog, of course). I have lived here for years but had no idea that I could take my dog to so many different places in the area--and I didn't know that some great places even existed, like a dog bakery (which we have already visited!). With summer approaching, I am looking forward to taking day trips to places that not only will be interesting and fun for me but will also enable me to give my dog some exercise in a new place. I also think that it is very helpful to know which hotels allow dogs to stay, in case I want to make it a longer visit, and the appendices are full of things I didn't know about--like dog resorts, which I know my dog will be eager to try! It's obvious that a huge amount of research went into this book, and I think the author did a great job. And my dog wants to know how she ever lived without it!

I can't swear for the rest of the boroughs, but I can tell you that the author doesn't appear to have all his Brooklyn facts straight. A couple of examples: He talks of a stop on the "N" line at 86th Street and 8th Avenue (p.259). Not only is there not a stop there....there is no "there" there. Those two streets do not cross. Eight Avenue ends in the 70's. Also, the author talks of the view of the Ave X subway yards and overhaul center that can be "clearly seen from the "N" and the "R" Lines as they begin the Stillwell Avenue descent into Coney Island" (p.5). Problem is, the "R" train goes nowhere near Coney Island. In fact, it is underground for its entire run in Brooklyn. There were others, but I won't bore you with the details. In a book that purports to be a "guide," attention to detail is important. In a lot of cases here, we are not talking about minor details. The prose style, if you can call it that, is way too cute. All in all, if you want a guide to the subway, get the free map from the MTA. If you want to know about the neighborhoods, take a bus tour and see for yourself. Given the unreliability of the book regarding areas of the world with which I'm familiar, I'd be very hesitant to count on it for anything at all.

Blessed with a hefty wit (and an appetite to match), Frattini has a good time bouncing his way through the New York City Underground, and his enthusiasm for the subway system he obviously loves rubs off on even the most jaded subway patron (Having spent 18 years myself riding the less than stellar "F" line, I can tell you NO ONE brings the 179 Street Station alive like Frattini does). From Duffers hocking scholky Rolexes in rundown stations to the not necessarily Hi-Class glories of New York cuisine (lovers of Greaseburgers, Indian Buffets, and Jamaican Beef Patties have a friend in Frattini), you really get a distinct feel for the less glamorous, yet no less interesting, underbelly of New York. The addition of local eateries is a Nice Touch, and I hope this "Cesar" of the Subway continues to skewer and yet love, his home town.

Dave Frattini writes with wit and detail about the Subways of New York. As a native of New York, Frattini gives a very candid view of the subway stations and their decor, the subway lines and their neighborhoods and an understanding of the culture of New York City. His humor is great and pokes fun at himself as well as some of the outrageous things that occur in the City. He also gives to the point details of the best and worst of the places that you can or cannot visit. You will laugh out loud at some of the wry observations he makes about his hometown and the City. I would recommend this book to anybody who would like understand the heart of New York City and all of its many neighborhoods and boroughs. Buy it and enjoy!

AS A DUDE FROM THE BRONX WHO IS A TRUE -BLUE NEW YORKER I FIND THIS TO BE AN INTERESTING BOOK. I LIKE THE MANY ILLUSTRATIONS AND DIAGRAMS THAT SHOW HOW PLACES I AM FAMILIAR WITH LOOKED WAY BACK IN THE DAY. IT IS HARD TO IMAGINE THIS HUGE CITY STARTING OUT AS A LITTLE VILLAGE IN LOWER MANHATTAN BUT THIS BOOK GIVES YOU SOME IDEA OF WHAT LIFE WAS LIKE THEN AND HOW THE CITY GREW TO BE WHAT IT IS TODAY. A GOOD BASIC HISTORY OF N.Y.C. FOR KIDS AND ADULTS. A MUST HAVE FOR NATIVES OF "NEW YAWK" AND ANYONE ELSE INTERESTED IN THIS GREAT CITY. P.S. DON'T FORGET THE WTC !!

This is a good book for a quick overview of NYC history, but it skimps a bit on some detail. The collection of maps and illustrations help bring the history to life.

It would be impossible to do justice to the history of New York City in a couple of hundred pages, so approaching this book with realistic expectations is important. With that in mind, this book is a wonderful overview of a fascinating metropolis, beginning with the formation of the land mass and continuing through its inhabitance by the Manahatta, the Dutch, the Brits and the Americans. Key historical eras are covered including the Revolutionary and Civil Wars, and many areas of interest are addressed such as immigration, politics, sports, the arts and architecture.

There are many photographs, drawings, charts and maps, and I appreciated that the scales were similar so that a reader can compare various maps easily.

Articles are well-written and graphics are clean and well-designed. I would call this more an historical almanac of NYC, but whatever you call it, it is a fun and interesting read.

The title of this book, more than anything else, misses the mark here. "A History of America's First Wilderness" suggests a comprehensive history of key forces that shaped Adirondack geography and culture, and this book doesn't attempt to be that. Paul Schneider is a journalist, not an historian, and this difference in perspective is reflected in his writing. His book consists of a series of anecdotal essays, snapshots in time, with little thematic development, analysis, or reference across chapters. It's enjoyable reading and will give some insight into historical forces that have formed the ongoing battle in the Adirondacks over development, but better regional histories, such as Diana Muir's "Reflections in Bullough's Pond; Economy and Ecosystem in New England" probe deeper than "The Adirondacks" even tries.

Schneider knows his Adirondacks in a superficial way, and after reading his book, so will you. If the topic intrests you, pick up a copy of CONTESTED TERRAIN by Philip Terrie. Contested Terain is as sound as The Adirondacks is shallow. Style, of course is a matter of taste. Many people appear to enjoy Schneider's carefully studied casual prose.

Paul Schneider's The Adirondacks: A History of America's First Wilderness is both good history and great story-telling. Taking the region that is now the Adirondack Park from the first arrival of whites through the present, Schneider skillfully weaves together both present and past. For example, his chapter "The Prince of Otter China" tells about fur trapping today, and introduces the reader to several living "characters." Neighboring chapters then recount the history of trapping in the Park. Other groupings of chapters do likewise for lumbering, wilderness guiding, and mining. One "chapter" of the Adirondacks which he unfortunately slights are Dr. Trudeau and the tuberculosis "cure cottages" in and around Saranac Lake. This small quibble aside, I recommend this book to readers -- both New Yorkers /Adirondackers and general readers -- who want to learn more both about a specific, fascinating place and time and the idea of the American "wilderness" in general.

Moving to New York City from Switzerland and not knowing anybody was the hardest thing I've ever done. Thank God I found this book before I made all the mistakes I was going to make! This book gives a true "insider" perspective on New York and helped me make several critical decsions -- I think I made the right decisions about where to live, how to look for work, and how to meet new people, and I think I might not have made those decisions were it not for the help of this very informed author. I actually have purchased four copies and given them as gifts. I think some people who have already moved but have not perhaps completely mastered the city could use this book to good effect.

The amount of information, hard data, clear advice, and insider knowledge packed into this volume is truly amazing. There seem to be a couple of reviews here claiming there is not enough detail in the book. I can only guess these people either didn't bother to read it [...] or are shilling for the competition [....] I can assure, you having read this book from cover to cover and having used it to guide myself in a start to finish highly successful relocation, nothing could be farther from the truth. In addition to providing me with fact, facts, facts, I found that the book spoke to me personally. Moving to New York was a scary process -- a huge plunge for this "small town boy." Armed with this book I felt I had a seasoned New Yorker in my corner. Indeed I did. I even e-mailed the author ellen@relocatingny.com for some very specific advice about a personal matter and much to my surprise she answered promptly and in great detail. Also with compassion and understanding. Thanks, Ms. Shapiro, for this one of a kind book.

I relocate folks for a living, at one of the big Mahattan real estate brokerages, and I wish I'd written this book--though I doubt I could have done as good a job. I can't imagine a better volume on the subject of moving to and settling in New York City and the nearby suburbs. I recommend it to all my clients.

The Access New York City Guide is divided into sections for each region in the city, with separate maps for each area and detailing, in color code, destinations and places of interest in each area, including hotels, restaurants,(both rated for quality and expense), and shopping. It is the easiest New York guide book I have used, because I am able to find where I want to go, see the easiest way to get there, and know what's there when I do. The guide contains maps for subway and bus travel and airport access. I prefer this area-by-area format because I can see easily all the attractions in each part of the city. This has a distinct advantage over guides which group by topic; for example, I might find a hotel that suits my needs, and by checking the area on the map, I can find a restaurant on the same page, in my price range, within walking distance, and know what's cooking for dinner. Other guides would have you searching another chapter. This is the latest of many editions of the Access New York City guide, and is just as enjoyable from your armchair at home as it is from your tourbus. Also included are such fun tidbits as a list of movies filmed in the city, books written about New York, and little-known facts about the histories of the most famous landmarks. Altogether this guide and its logical format would make your hundredth trip to the city as exciting as your first.

I lucked into buying this guide when I first moved to New York seven years ago, and it served as a perfect introduction to the city. Even in a city that changes as rapidly as New York, I continued to find this book useful for several years after I bought it, and I still frequent some of the off-the-beaten-path restaurants that the author recommends. (But I'm not telling you the names; you'll have to discover them for yourself!)

As much as I liked this book, I can see how it might not be ideal for everyone. For one thing, unlike a lot of guidebooks, it doesn't go out of its way to prioritize the different sites and to dictate what you ought to see as a visitor. Unless the book has changed since the edition I bought, you won't find any walking tours or suggested itineraries. But if you have enough time and are willing to give serendipity a chance, the best way to experience in New York is on foot, exploring neighborhood by neighborhood, with this book in hand. Whether you're interested in architecture, shopping, arts, or history, you will find this book an excellent travel companion.

I found this book to be an excellent guide for New York because it focuses on places to go, not so much the history of the place like other guidebooks. I don't know who comes to New York just for the history, anyway! (There's Paris for that.)But for restaurants, hotels, and even some clubs ACCESS was better than even my hotel concierge. Although there was no way to try everything mentioned in the book, every place I did go to, or restaurant I dined at, was current and good even though sometimes the chef was different. Maybe even more details on the downtown scene would be good, instead of pages on boring Upper West Side, etc., but overall this is a tres bon map to a good time to what is still the greatest city in the world. And that's coming from a Frenchman...vive le New York!

Hey Barry, I'm thinking that by now your incessant and bothersome needling to the people at Let's Go is amusing to them, hence they don't want to change their "Big Apple" falsehood just because they know it irritates you. Relax man, why don't you go down to Bowery Bar and have a Manhattan! Other readers: check out the comments by Barry A. Popik to understand what I'm talking about. Anyway, regardless of this small detail, I've traveled with many Let's Go books and have never been disappointed.

I am untravelled, unexperienced with city life, and un-financially blessed. Let's Go was my bible in NYC last winter and I had a grand ol' time. Between my pals and I we had like 800 guide books, and Let's Go had by far the most readable, most helpful maps. The fact that its written by poor students (with wit and style) helps too. A good mix of traditional tourist activities with "undiscovered" budget happenings.

I bought this guide after looking at numerous others, and this is still the one that I liked the most. Maybe it's b/c I'm a college student on a tight budget, but the Let's Go guides are lifesavers. I skimmed thru the Frommer guide before buying this one and that was just too boring for my taste. Let's Go tells you the truth and what you would really find in nyc. Before your trip, you can use it to map out your entire schedule if you wanted to, which was great b/c it included sites that ppl like me would actually want to visit.