Any pictorial like this should be judged by its artistic capacity and through its relevance. "New York, A Photographic Journey" certainly has a substantial compendium of photographs that capture the power, prestige, and gravity of New York City. The context, however, is dated and roots back into the 1980s. If someone is looking for a modern look at NYC photography, I suggest you go somewhere else. If you just like excellent photography and your subject of interest is New York City, go for it and buy the book.

I enjoyed the the photographs. They show an almost aerial view of different parts of the city. You could really see the lay out.

I was disappointed by this book. The three hundred pre-1940 postcards should have made the buildings of Big Apple come alive, instead so many of the cards are shown too large and this emphasizes the flaws in the original printing of these mass produced postcards. However you could use this book as a taster for the much more interesting 'American Architecture: a vintage postcard collection' by Luc Van Malderen. This has over six hundred postcards with 188 devoted to New York city, all beautifully printed with detailed captions about each building.

Both books show images of a city that must have been awe-inspiring to the people who bought these postcards and mailed them to the folks back home.

Not Only Buildings New York is an outstanding collection of 300 images of New York assembled from the postcard collection by architect Italo Rota. These hand-painted cards depicted New York City's major attractions, and Not Only Buildings New York offers the outstanding cards in all their glory in a fine keepsake edition any New York fan will relish.

If one desires a book of page-size, sterile photos of substantial structures (with minimal captions) this volume will certainly fill the bill. If, however, one prefers historical snapshots of people amidst the buildings or scenes of shacks or tenements, be forewarned that these are few and far between. Also, in number, the later-in-time pictures tend to predominate. Thus, if the viewer is looking to gaze a la Gangs of New York, some of the wordier texts provide much more appropriate photographic fodder.

This book features 196 carefully chosen photos from the New-York Historical Society, arranged by neighborhood from the Battery to the Bronx (though the emphasis is on Manhattan). These superb photos document the changing face of New York City -- not only the buildings (from mansions to shacks), but the people, clothing styles, and modes of transportation. A succinct description accompanies each, pointing out features of interest. Some focal points are presented in several photos taken years or decades apart. An excellent book for anyone who wants to really get a sense of the times.

"The Other Islands of New York" is a decent reference book, but it felt as if Seitz and Miller feared getting a little muddy or messing up their hair. One never sense that the two clambered up to investigate the smaller islands, but rather conducted phone interviews with local historians. This may not be true, but it reads that way.

Imagine reading about an animal, say a horse, only in terms of who owned it and when. You'd get no sense of the character of the horse as a being -- a creature with temperament, quirks, coloring, musculature, a particular scent and stride. That's how the descriptions of many islands in this book came across to me as a kayaker of New York Harbor. We get so little sense of the natural beauty and surprises of this city's intricate archipelago - the seals that gather at Swinburne Island in winter aren't mentioned, and neither is the beautiful little cove at the northern end of key-shaped Mill Rock. That island is also home, in spring, to nests full of gorgeously speckled seagull eggs and pure white goose eggs. There are, of course, many other examples.

Sometimes the tone the authors take when writing about working people come across as condescending, in some sense as if these people provide color but little else. At the same time, the authors shy away from some topics with the squeamishness of an eastern liberal (which, I suppose I am too). The East River islets near Hell Gate, for example, are named but conspicuously absent are Negro Head and Little Negro Head. When I researched the history of these islets (and Negro Point, at the southern point of Randalls Island) for a New York Times article, what surprised me was that contrary to current lore, the islands never bore names reflecting the more derogatory term. The names seem to have been chosen to describe rounded rocks that had a surface texture reminiscent of an afro. Negro Point, however, is tougher to explain. While Randalls Island did have a cotton processing plant on it, there wasn't a slave population. One theory holds that a strange specter, taking the form of a man with African features and a tricorner hat, rows a boat back and forth across Hell Gate. But after I interviewed Henry Stern, then New York City Park Commissioner, about the name, he moved to change it to Skylla Point, a bookend to Charybdis Playground across the water in Astoria.

Another frustrating aspect of this book is that you'd think that the islands' histories began with European colonization. Here and there we read that such-and-such was "bought from Native Americans," but we never learn who these original residents were and what life was like in these places. It's almost as if the Lenape Algonquin, Munsee, and Canarsie people were simply killing time waiting for white people to arrive so the story of these islands could begin. No word about the wampum manufacturing on Roosevelt Island, or the sacred nut groves on Governors Island. Again, this seems to stem from relying on convenient newspaper microfilm and interviews with a narrow band of experts.

The final point that annoyed me is the self-congratulatory voice in which much of the book's information is delivered. The authors present the islands as discoveries, and often islands are categorized as "forgotten" when in fact they're merely small. Most have always been little noted. Also, far more people frequently visit these islands - often by kayak - than the authors seem to realize.

But, over all, this book is a useful resource because it stands alone. Of course, other books have covered the topic but in diluted forms, but no one else has compiled information exclusively on this topic, New York's smaller islands. It's worth having on your shelf to read through before heading out on the water.

As a native New Yorker, I heard of many islands that occupied the waters that surround the five boroughs of the city. As I flew back into LaGuardia and JFK airports I even began to notice them from above. Obtaining information about these islands was very difficult, even from local libraries, and therefore when I found this book at a local bookstore, I was delighted that someone came up with the idea of publishing such a book.

From Roosevelt Island to Cuban Ledge, the authors give a very thorough and well researched book on the many islands inhabiting the New York archipelago. Many islands which were once islands, but have long since been connected to the boroughs by artificial landfills are also covered here (e.g. Coney Island-Brooklyn, Hunter Island-Bronx, Battery Park area-Manhattan, etc..) are also covered here.

If you live in the city or plan on visiting, please make sure to pick up a copy of this guide, and make sure to visit the many hidden treasures found in this city.It makes an excellent companion book while aboard a plane or even in the subway.

An immense compendium of the pristine paddling spots left in New York State. The authors looked for lakes with one goal in mind: find places where the water has not been spoiled by development, pollution, or powerboats. Unquestionably, they succeeded. The book describes over 100 trips across the state, with an expectedly high concentration in the Adirondack Mountains. For each trip, the authors describe launch locations, scenery, notable areas on the lake, and any interesting wildlife seen during their paddle. Many of the lakes are a bit small for a full day trip, but if one only has a few hours to paddle, these are certainly places to go. The authors did a good job of including sites from across the entire state, and tried to include a number of lakes near New York City. Unfortunately, the authors almost ignored flat river paddling, but a few calm rivers and streams did make their way into the book. Overall, if you are a New Yorker who loves getting away from it all, this is one book to have.

For the novice, such as myself, this is a good book to get you started on exploring the canoeing areas of New York. They review the area, the water, and the wildlife. It is not an exhaustive list and many areas we found were seasonal, but that wasn't mentioned in the book. I hope they write another updated and more exhaustive review in the future.

Ricky Powll is most recognizable for his journalistic photography. He has worked mostly in taking photos of famous rappers, this work can be found in his other book "Oh Snap". The photography style shown here is Powell's attempt to show the city and people of New York in the eighties. Powell worked as a bike messenger and nightclub busboy in the eighties. The material presentes in this book is mostly photos taken of people as Powell bumps into them in his travels through New York City. There are no glamorous shots, or composed photos with zoom ins, but art at random. Powell found a bunch of people back in the day. You may recognize the people on the cover of the book, rapper Method Man, artists Basquiat and Andy Warhol, and actor Lawrence Fishburn. There are many pictures of everyday people too. Each picture has a caption of how, and where, it was taken. Powell states in the intro that his home town "feels like a theme park now", this is his attempt to capture how it was back in the day.

Diversity= acknowledging my brother Dondi in your dedication. Old,young,poor, rich, great book to remind us that many different experiences go into life. Ricky, Dondi(r.i.p.) is eyeballing from above.....Peace

I purchased this river guide for the purposes of canoeing on the Susquehanna in northern PA. My mistake; it does not cover the river north of Wilkes-Barre.

For the sections of the Susquehanna covered by the book, it does a nice job. One exception is that it make no mention of where the portages are around the dams.

A good resource for tackling the Susquehanna. Concise, with fine maps showing access points (with a handy index to the access points in the back). Helpful discussions of the fish available, fishing techniques, plus thoughts on tackling the river by foot or in a boat. Also, has a welcome dose of conservation thoughts tossed in.

Are there more bike shops per capita in Rochester or is it just that so many people want to enjoy the outdoors from May through October? I can't think of a more enjoyable source of weekend r&r than taking one of the trails suggested in this book. There are good suggestions for ability, the maps are adequate, and the directions to the start of the trail are clear. The only thing I'd add to this book is an online link for printable maps so I don't have to take the book (although pocketable) along. A must for any Rochesterian who wants to enjoy the trails around town.

A great resource for people looking for good bike trails in the Rochester area. Easy-to-read maps of trails and locations, plus descriptions and difficulty ratings. A must-have for the avid Rochesterian biker! :~)

I'm writing a novel set in 1930s New York and for research purposes, this book is a great starting point. But as for simply sitting down and reading it all the way through, well, it's a bit dull. For a better sense of the sweep and drama of New York's history, try tracking down New York Panorama, also put out by the WPA around the same time.

Anyone interested in New York City will find this book absolutely fascinating. Imagine being transported to the City's golden age -the years during which America was emerging from the Depression---and before being thrust into World War Two. The City is chronicled neighborhood by neighborhood and includes interesting historical background information. With this book you will see New York through the eyes of the past; One of my all time favorites.

Upon deplaning in JFK I was hungry and lost. This book introduced me to the myriad good-eating opportunities in New York and the thrill of hunting down the best Roast Beef Sandwich or plate of barbecue. Though some of the places reviewed in 1998 have since closed, that state of flux and sense of serendipity is part of the exploratory experience in New York. This is an alternative (or quirkier supplement) to the ubiquitous Zagat guide. Asimov's book is as well-suited for a recently arrived student as for an experienced diner looking for pleasure in Manhattan's nooks.