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This might be better fitted for "Books" sub-forum but I wanted to try to put it here first.
I've lived in NYC for a while now, but haven't really ventured out too much outside of my neighborhood in Brooklyn besides some super touristy destinations (Times Square, Central Park, WTC, Empire State Building, Prospect Park, etc). I like the idea of "rediscovering" this great city. learn about it's history and read stories/anecdotes about different areas as I walk around and see interesting places, and thought following a book may be a good idea. I don't want to use something like LonelyPlanet travel guide, but rather something that would give me more context and some history what I'm discovering...hopefully this makes sense.
Read a book about Robert Moses and one of Jane Jacobs for history about modern NYC. This next suggestion is a weird one. I like all the books by F Paul Wilson featuring the character Repaireman Jack. Science fiction/thrillers with NYC neighborhoods featured as important background.
Coincidentally, this was written up in today's Times. I'm not familiar with this book, nor the others this author has written, but you can check it out!
This Guide Is Made for Walking
William B. Helmreich has done it again. This time, it took him 11 months and two pairs of Rockport shoes to survey what his pedometer measured as 721 miles to bring readers “The New York Nobody Knows: An Urban Walking Guide” (Princeton University Press).
The above are all great. If you're looking for stuff that's a bit guide-like, but a lot more interesting in terms of delving into the history of a place or of its landmarks and institutions, then there are several out there (the city is a very popular topic) like Nonstop Metropolis, Forgotten New York: Views of a Lost Metropolis, and The New York Nobody Knows: Walking 6,000 Miles in the City. Sometimes it's nicer to tie it into something more topical though and there are a lot of odd slants at seeing the city like The Big Oyster: History on the Half Shell.
I would check the digital archives of museums like the NY Historical Society and the Landmarks Preservation Commission as well as some of those walking tours, especially the ones in the Village. There is also an awesome book by Roz Chast, "Going Into Town, A Love Letter to New York" that she says she wrote for her daughter when she started college in Manhattan.
Read a book about Robert Moses and one of Jane Jacobs for history about modern NYC. This next suggestion is a weird one. I like all the books by F Paul Wilson featuring the character Repaireman Jack. Science fiction/thrillers with NYC neighborhoods featured as important background.
I read jane jacobs. Have not read power broker yet. Also, want to read gotham.
It may come off as a bit politically incorrect (this was written back in the 1890's), but it really makes for great reading.
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