Customer Reviews

Native's Guide to New York (4th Edition)

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Here's why I find this book invaluable: I am a New Yorker, yet I'm able to use it as a guidebook to my own city. It has all kinds of out of the way places such as East Village eatery Veselka that would not appear in the typical tourists guide. And it is written in a way that's both edgy and accessible. I can only imagine that this book would be a great resource for non-New Yorkers.

Mr. Laermer has written a guide book that is extemely useful to both Natives and tourists. In addition, it contains many inciteful and hilarious commentaries showing his profound love for what I think is the greatest city on the planet. In prepping for my commitment ceremony with my companion, we have bought a couple of dozen copies of Natives Guide to give to our out of town guests. We have people who have never been east of the Mississipi as well as European friends and we feel confident that this book will give them a comfort level so they will be able take on the challenge of touring the city. I highly recomment this book.

New York is a world unto itself and what a treasure from someone who really knows that world...
I wanted to learn how to tango, for example, and found great listings for classes, places to go to practice (and show off) my new "hot stuff" dirty dancing techniques and even tango restaurants and bistros for the tango obsessed! how great is that??
But most of all, especially now, since new york is finding its feet again,(Grab your coat and get your hat! Leave your worries on the doorstep!) it's a generous spirited, insightful, warm-hearted guide to what makes New York a great place to live and visit. I love this book!

Richard Laermer is an opinionated SOB who tells it the way it is, and that's just how native New Yorkers, transplanted New Yorkers and everybody else who loves the Big Apple likes it. he gives us a view of the city that is not prepackaged conspicuous consumption from Mayor Bloomberg's office and gives us the side of New York that cool people understand and wannabees seek out.

This book rocks. This guy rocks. Enough said.

I loved Native's Guide. I'm reminded of an enthusiastic friend with lots of energy who really knows the city giving you his version of the Grand Tour. Unlike most dry tour-guides full of lists, this, as a really good friend might, colors the tour with the writer's own personality, and Richard Laermer's personality, infused with passion for this city, is infectious. What other kind of tour-guide could one want? No formulaic points of view here. How refreshing after all. Oh, and check out those side-bars (because of this book I suddenly find myself on the look-out for egg-creams... and finding them!) I highly recommend this book!

Being a native of New York, I find Mr. Laermers book right on the pulse of the city. He knows the in's and the out's, the up's and the down's. Laermer does not miss a beat. Fodors, Fromers and the such don't hold a candle to this book and lack the personal involvment that Laermer adds to Native's Guide. It is easy to read, easy to find what you are looking for and the subtle humor is great. Mr. Laermer is an excelent author.....and I look forward to his next book.

I just got back from my annual summer trip to New York City. This time I was lucky enough to bring along the fifth edition of Native's Guide to New York. My advice: don't travel to New York without it.

Before I left home I mapped out my vacation - day by day - using tips from the book.

Each day was made more special than the next by following Laermer's advice.

I simply never would have known to do 75 % of the things I found myself doing without his help. Native's guide helped to eliminate the guesswork from entire days and small individual moments.

Each page has the kind of information that I couldn't have been privvy to without this book.

I also enjoyed the attitude - if only more of the people I encountered on my trip were as much fun as the author. I felt as if a good friend was telling me what he knew about New York through years of trial and error.

I found the information on target - up to date and invaluable.
Going to New York? Native's Guide to New York is a must.
( unless you'd prefer to get your suggestions from cabbies )

Already live in New York? Native's Guide just might help you to experience your town in a wonderful new way.

Thanks Richard, you made my trip to NYC almost perfect.

Just like the title says, Laermer's book is THE handbook for anyone in the 212 (or 646 but don't want to admit it). There's no silly maps, pencils and pull-outs in Native's Guide, just the real scoop on places New Yorkers need to go. The club reviews are up to date and real and beyond that, NG is the only guide I've seen that goes into outdoor resturaunts, public readings, things for free, etc...

Laermer's sidebars - heavy with yenta rants and raves - shed some light on New York urban legends and fun facts too, like how an egg cream earned it's name and just how those cab recordings got there.

He's got a cute headshot too.

I bought this book so that I wouldn't look like an idiot during my first trip to New York City. Well, I'm sure I will still look like an idiot, but maybe not like this is my first vacation there. After reading this book, I feel that there is no way that I can only stay 4 days. There's too much to do! I appreciate that he writes of as many cheap places as expensive. I am a map nerd so I do miss that aspect.

Native's Guide has proven time and again to be, for me, an invaluable source of inside information. This new edition is the best yet, and it couldn't come at a better time. Thanks to Mr. Laermer for reminding me of all the great things there are to do, see, and eat in Manhattan, whether I'm on a shoestring or Dom Perignon budget. (Depends on the week!)