New York: City of Islands [Hardcover]

Jake Rajs (Author), Pete Hamill (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1, 1998

The islands that form New York City are far more subtle and varied than the five that can be seen from the air. In this spectacular portrait of the great metropolis, renowned photographer Jake Rajs juxtaposes iconic views—the Empire State Building, the Hudson River skyline, the Brooklyn Bridge—with unheralded neighborhoods and hidden places throughout the five boroughs.

Pete Hamill's literary portrait perfectly complements Rajs's visual presentation. This lively and compelling view traces the history of the city from its beginnings as an Indian hunting and fishing ground to the early years of settlement by immigrants from all corners of the world to the numerous and overlapping islands that now make up the city as a whole.

First published in a deluxe edition in 1998, this unique presentation is now available to all who are eager to explore the city that fascinates the world.

--This text refers to an alternate Hardcover edition.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Destined to land close to each other in a library collection, these two books are so different they might be describing two worlds, not one city. Rajs shoots his New York as if he were on an assignment for National Geographic. His city is rich in polychrome power. It is so lovingly composed that to a native New Yorker, it looks like somewhere else. The dazzle that Rajs captures is not in daily routine but in the wonder of photography that builds glory through mastery of the medium by aiming at places, moments, and urban majesty. Hamill provides a fine opening essay that is long on history, careful about nostalgia, and realistic about the ups and downs of New York City. No glistening monument to human industry, Hart Island in New York Harbor has supported a cemetery, a charity hospital for women, an insane asylum, a jail, and now a cemetery again. Artists Hund and Sternfeld show it to be a secret place?a small island full of common graves, long trenches filled with pine boxes of forgotten dead?and in the process throw a meteor at people who think they know New York. Their photographs are generally brown and gray, visions of a lonely place in a lonely winter. The labor pool for the death detail is a cadre of prisoners from the city's jail at Riker's Island. These tough urban men seem softened by their work, by the finalization their digging brings to lives that never really got started. No single part of this book seems masterly?not Hunt's introductory essay, not the straightforward photographs under heavy clouds, not the images of crudely marked coffins large and small. But as a carefully collected volume, it is a moving and memorable portrayal of a secret place crammed with anonymous New Yorkers. Both books are recommended.?David Bryant, New Canaan P.L., CT
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

About the Author

Jake Rajs has traveled across America and throughout the world, capturing the image and spirit of place. His work is widely published and his books include the highly acclaimed America, The Hudson River, and Between Sea and Sky: Landscapes of Long Island's North Fork.

Pete Hamill is a novelist, journalist, editor, and screenwriter. He has served as editor-in-chief of both the New York Post and the New York Daily News. He has published eight novels, including the best-selling Snow in August, as well as the memoir A Drinking Life. --This text refers to an alternate Hardcover edition.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 272 pages
• Publisher: The Monacelli Press (October 1, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1580930093
• ISBN-13: 978-1580930093
• Product Dimensions: 13.1 x 8.6 x 1.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,361,923 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great documentation, July 20, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: New York: City of Islands (Hardcover)

I bought the book based on the coverphoto. Regarding that I in fact wanted a book on New York, I cannot say I regret it. The book is fully illustrated with beautiful photographs of New Yorks five boroughs. Though I`ve been to New York five times before I`ve only been to Manhattan and Queens, but I surely was tempted to see all five boroughs when I go back during fall -99. The photographs has a soul in a way and all represent a motion or a mood that I catched right away. I could actually feel the smells the sounds and the dynamic pulse New York stands for. Pete Hamill's text as an introduction to each borough gives the reader a fully good and poetic insight in New Yorks majestic soul.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars THEY WILL RISE AGAIN!!, September 16, 2001

By 

"nene718" (New York City) - See all my reviews

This review is from: New York: City of Islands (Hardcover)

I bought this book back in 1999. I am a New Yorker and I wanted a book that showcased all of my wonderful city. I never, in my wildest dreams, thought that I would have to look at this book in order to ever see the World Trade Center again. After the attack on New York City on Sept.11, 2001, my whole world as I knew it changed forever. This wonderful, beautiful book is my only reminder of the New York City that I have known and loved all my life. I know the Twin Towers will rise again! Until then I have my book!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A thorough documentation of New York - daily life, sights, and architecture, January 6, 2011

By 

amazonlover001 - See all my reviews

This review is from: New York: City of Islands (Hardcover)

As a New Yorker, I struggled when trying to pick a book to give to my host family in a different country. I wanted a book that didn't just illustrate the beautiful attractions, buildings, and architecture (though I wanted that to be a main part as well)... I wanted one that thoroughly portrayed the wealth and breadth of New York events, life, and culture--from 5th Ave to Little Italy to Times Square to street merchants to the New York marathon. Everything I could have asked for was pictured in this book. It has sprinkled within it shots of daily life, which serve as an excellent and accurate picture of life in each of the five boroughs, and they also have some of Spanish Harlem and other districts like Little Italy, Chinatown, etc. There are shots of all the bridges in a "Structure" section, and they have very beautiful night and day shots of every major tourist attraction, including a night shot of the skyline with the Twin Towers on the fourth of July toward the back of the book. The only thing I think it's lacking (but it's hard to find) is a few more shots showing street performers and the awesome nightlife. However, I don't think this detracts from the book's breadth of topics. Overall, if you want a book that shows everything about New York--this is a great one.