Customer Reviews

Building New York: The Rise and Rise of the Greatest City on Earth

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Beginning with the 1811 grid plan of 100 foot wide north-south avenues and 155 cross streets set at 200 foot intervals this book shows the story of how Manhattan came to be in a brilliant collection of photographs. Actually the pictures begin with engravings dating from before photographs existed, but the book is mostly photographs from the late 1800's to the drawings of the proposed Fredom Tower at the World Trade Center site.

The photographs cover Manhattan. How central park came to be is discussed as are the bridges and tunnels that provide access to the city. Sailing ships from an 1883 picture are near those of the New York Naval Shipyard (which alone built more ships during World War II than did all of Japan). Air liners from a TWA DC-3 to Pan Am's new Boing 707 at their dramatic terminal at Idlewild is only a page away from a Pan-Am clipper flying boat at La Guardia's Marine Air Terminal.

This is a very dramatic collection of pictures that truly reflects the Rise and Rise of the Greatest City on Earth.

When I received this book, I was first struck by the cover and the gorgeous picture. I knew immediately I was in for a treat and I was NOT disappointed! This book is so informative and the photos and history of the buildings of New York as they were being built is just incredible. I recommend this book to anyone who loves the Big Apple... It really is an impressive book to have on your coffee table or in your library. You will not be disappointed.

This book has some amazing photos of New York. It focuses mainly on older buildings and is clearly biased, but overall worth having to browse and read just for fun.