Customer Reviews

Speedology: Speed on New York on Speed

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This book is written by the genuinely brilliant, misfit friend you grew up with and hung out with, and in adulthood are a little bit freaked out by. Maybe he gets weirder every year, and it's not always pretty, but you still want to hang out with him, because you feel more real around him than you do around anyone else...

Timothy "Speed" Levitch is a creative maelstrom. After reading Speedology, I have never felt so utterly alive and ready to overcome fear in my life. It has made me hunger to visit New York to see the world through the literary eyes I have been given as well as a need to think, feel and express more than I previously have. The poetics and spiritual reflection are superb to the point that even an atheist or skeptic can find utter beauty in them...the question of god is irrelevant, as the book is about Cruising with one's self. The oxymoronic idea of "spiritual non-belief" kept floating through my mind as I read and yet it made total sense.

This is a book that is difficult to categorize. It wants to be a New York guide book, but also speaks a great deal about Western and Eastern Philosophy, performance art, tantra and much more. It is perhaps best to consider this the colors of life using New York City as its canvas. Breaking down the ideas that are taken for granted today (money, sex and sexuality, freedom, fear, materialism, etc.), Speed shows us just how connected we can be through discovering, loving and then shattering our own alienation. I can only hope to be a fraction of the creative creature that Speed Levitch is, after all, we are all members of the exuberant party, the Cruise that is the world.

It is a sorry state of things that this book is priced the way it is from second hand dealers. The publisher, Context books, is indeed out of business, but $60 dollars is a ridiculous crime. Look for your profit in $25 at best. It should be enjoyed by those who want to read it, not just by those who can afford it. I found my copy at Strand Books out of New York, the only company that had a copy priced as a book and not as an antique.

The words literally jump off the page, attacking your psyche and opinions, demanding you to think and rethink everything you've ever thought. Speed challenges you with every word to redefine your very existence and to live joyously. "materialism is the utilization of the fear of other people's opinions" The world is a joyful place, take part! stop reading this! go out and live!

I have had the pleasure of crusing with Speed in New York last year and I bought my copy from him. (Sorry AMAZON) He is an artist. Of what, I don't really know, but that's the beauty of Speed. Time with him on our cruise is genuine, funny, endearing, educational and most of all precious. His book Speedology, is not just a tour guide, it is this psychatrist/poet's interpretaion of New York and it's many layers itself.
A note to Speed: Coming out this summer. Hope to catch up with you again.

Cavaliere

This book is lots of fun. Chock full one great one-liners and thoughtful analysis. It points out beauty and absurdity in what most regard as banal. As a native new yorker it was really cool to read a new perspective on The City. Highly recommended.

I have waited 18 months to get a copy of this book and I am delighted to have finally obtained one. Aa a travel agent, I brought out a group to New York CHristmas shopping and arranged for a guide and a coach to take us round the city.The group was from Leeds, England and the majority were from Yorkshire Television PLC How lucky we were to have Tim Levitch. This was 1995.I have spent my life in travel but have never experienced such an interesting, caring and totally dedicated guide. His wit, depth of feeling, knowledge and clear love of the city shone throughout. His comments were thought provoking and deep - this outstanding ability shines through in his book. To really appreciate the book and the mind behind it it is preferable to have met him - however the book is an excellent buy as it stands. Well done Timothy - we all loved you and your book is just icing on the cake

CHristine Hill

WOW, if you've ever been to NYC.... this embodies it all. If you've NEVER been to NYC... you'll have to go after reading this book! Get one while you can, if "they" all find out about it... it'll not be available soon.

Speedology: Speed on New York on Speed is really superb. the title suggests where the book goes: Speed tours you through a few of his guided tours of NYC while imparting life lessons, yoga lessons, and smiles. It's a fast read, like on speed, but there's no actual speed. Speed is just the author's moniker. Speed speeds you through NYC giving you a little bit of history, mystery, and nowstory. If you've never let Speed sleep on your couch, you really should! Ask Speed about his Shakesphere evenings too. -I am curious why copies of this book, which were 16 bucks new, are listing on some websites, unsigned by the author, not first edition, and they're listing for 700 bucks? what's up with that. Who's gettin rich THERE?

Fantastic book by Timothy "speed" Levitch. If you dont know who he is then watch the movie entitled, The Cruise. ill have to buy another as my first copy has been loaned out and i cant remember to whom :(