Spiritual Places In and Around New York City: UPDATED EDITION [Paperback]

Len Belzer (Author), Emily Squires (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 1, 2008

Even in the most hectic, most busy, most never-sleeping city in the world, comfort for the heart, mind, and soul is only a step away. And here's your quick-and-easy guide to finding it. Spiritual Places In and Around New York City is your roadmap to the myriad spaces and places around the boroughs that soothe the psyche and gladden the spirit. as well as a few extraordinarily peaceful destinations worth venturing over the city line for. From restful gardens to quiet galleries to restaurants that feed both our corporeal and incorporeal bodies, and more, Emily Squires and Len Belzer share those locations-some almost secret, others surprisingly public-that help them maintain their sanity amid the frenetic pace of the city. In brief sketches of these spiritual respites, they reveal the insights they've come to while visiting each, and convey a palpable sense of the wise and serene essence each imparts upon us. Newly updated, with even more calming locales for you to explore and enjoy, this is a must-have for harried New Yorkers and curious visitors alike. EMILY SQUIRES is a television director and writer, with a Writer's Guild Award, a Cine Golden Eagle, and six Emmys for directing Sesame Street. In recent years she has gravitated toward spiritual subjects with an interfaith series for cable television, and documentaries on Hiroshima, the Dalai Lama, and artist/ philosopher Frederick Franck. LEN BELZER is a Columbia University graduate, veteran of the U.S. Air Force Intelligence Service, former journalist, and writer, producer, and host of his own nationally syndicated radioshow, The Comedy Hour. He has been a student of spirituality and consciousness for more than 25 years.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

Product Details

• Paperback: 156 pages
• Publisher: Cosimo Books; Updated edition (June 1, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1605201545
• ISBN-13: 978-1605201542
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 5 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,047,094 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Access a New York City sub-culture, July 31, 2008

By 

J. Smith "All about spirit" - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Spiritual Places In and Around New York City: UPDATED EDITION (Paperback)

It's a soft, gentle look into a sub-culture in NYC and its surroundings that gets
overlooked in the material-world overload. Friendly-voice writing and detailed directions. Nice little essences of a visit to each place. Good tips. Makes me want to visit New York knowing I'll be able to find refuge if I want it. These people sound very familiar with how to nourish the spiritual needs in the Big Apple. I enjoyed reading it right through.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful book, July 25, 2008

By 

Bob Eckstein (New York City) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Spiritual Places In and Around New York City: UPDATED EDITION (Paperback)

I really enjoyed this book. The book is ideal for someone like my wife whose been having a not-so-secret love affair for New York City, revealing special tucked away places. I'd be curious to know what readers think of the book and which places were their favorites. Thanks to the authors for sharing their insight and providing New Yorkers with such a valuable guide.

Perfect gift for those planning to visit NYC or if you know someone moving to the Big Apple.

5.0 out of 5 stars Maybe a little too good, February 24, 2009

By 

Ignatius Reilly (Disneyland) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Spiritual Places In and Around New York City: UPDATED EDITION (Paperback)

This is one of those books worth much more than I paid for it. It's kind of like a Rosetta Stone for understanding and enjoying the City. It brings a lot of happiness in its pages, both for me as a long-time (former) New Yorker - and for my friends who are just visiting NYC for the first time.

Among the many unfamiliar & familiar places listed, I was happy to find The Frick included, a refuge I visited often when I went to Birch Wathen H.S., then on E 71st St. This usually missed treasure of the City is perhaps a little TOO AMAZING to be revealed to the public but the Authors are obviously giving away everything! In that spirit, let me recommend sitting by the interior fountain there, beside which one's troubles are revealed for the transient trivialities they usually are.

The book is filled with more places I have never heard of than those I know, demonstrating again that New York City and its environs offer an always-evolving adventure of new experiences. This guide is essential for those visiting New York who are serious about not being "just touristas." With it, one can experience the absolute best The Big Apple usually keeps hidden to all but the oldest, most savvy locals.

Where Spiritual Places in and Around NYC really blasts off is for NYC natives. I never knew about the majority of these wonderful gems. It made me fall in love with New York all over again. Oh, well. Between giving away so many secrets to visitors and drawing me back into the arms of NYC, maybe this book is a little too good.