Author(s): Elizabeth L. Bradley

Culture Ideas Politics

According to reporter Meyer Berger, 'Each man reads his own meaning into New York.' This most kinetic of cities contains myriad meanings and shifting identities; but how can anyone begin to construct their own narrative in a place as loud, bright and busy as 'the city that never sleeps'? Elizabeth Bradley's concise and witty guidebook is a sane place to start. New York mixes history with high and low culture to make a Manhattan cocktail both enjoyable and practical, for the armchair traveller and true tourist alike. It traces the development of the city from a Dutch trading post to one of the world capitals of business, media and the arts, introducing readers to the city's most important - and colourful - dramatis personae along the way. A history of the five boroughs is followed by a series of ruminations on New York today - the city's natural landmarks, unnatural gin joints, immigrant enclaves and even its noises - providing thoughtful, eclectic lists of where to eat, drink and shop, and what to see, hear and do.A lively and engaging account from a native New Yorker, featuring illustrations both historical and contemporary, New York takes a broad-ranging approach to the elusive, shape-shifting city that will leave readers with a feeling of ownership and insight into the Big Apple both past and present, and perhaps their own nickname for it as well.