Taxi Confidential: Life, Death and 3 a.m. Revelations in New York City Cabs [Paperback]

Amy Braunschweiger (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 15, 2009

An outrageous encounter in a cab is a rite of passage in New York City. Trap two or more strangers in a careening yellow sedan and add an unexpected variable-say, a well-armed transvestite hooker, the urgent need for a restroom, or a stabbing victim-and the story that emerges is sure to be worth telling. In Taxi Confidential, cabbies ranging from a lead-footed pothead to a philosophizing immigrant sage grapple with what chance tosses their way. Author Amy Braunschweiger uncovers the best taxi stories from the 1970s through present day, and takes the reader on a 100-mile-per-hour ride through Gotham's darkest alleys, roughest neighborhoods, and hidden sweet spots.

Product Details

• Paperback: 254 pages
• Publisher: Octane Press (September 15, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0982173326
• ISBN-13: 978-0982173329
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.9 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,042,075 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Read it on the subway and cherish the irony, September 17, 2009

By 

Brian S. "Brian" (New York City) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Taxi Confidential: Life, Death and 3 a.m. Revelations in New York City Cabs (Paperback)

Since New York City keeps punishing its citizenry by raising cab fare it becomes less and less likely that you will ever spend time in the back of a taxi. That is sad, because after you read this book you will realize that the back of the cab you're not sitting in has a story to tell. Amy Braunschweiger wandered all over this fair city listening to cabbies (something most New Yorkers avoid doing) and has put together a book of true stories that range from uplifting and awesome to shocking and bizarre. This book has love, sex, death, Mel Brooks, crack-addict dads, trannies, lost diamonds, socialists, people driving with their feet and more. Peppered throughout the book is a variety of taxi trivia that will most certainly improve your odds should you ever find yourself on Jeopardy. Very enjoyable read. You'll walk away with a better understanding of life from the cab driver's perspective, and you'll realize most people are borderline nuts.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Video: Author Amy Brauschweiger talks about Taxi Confidential, September 21, 2009

By 

671 Press - See all my reviews

This review is from: Taxi Confidential: Life, Death and 3 a.m. Revelations in New York City Cabs (Paperback)

Length:: 1:53 Mins

Taxi Confidential author Amy Braunschweiger talks about the kinds of stories found in her book in this video from the publisher, 671 Press.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Incredible short stories, September 22, 2009

By 

siobhan (austin,tx) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Taxi Confidential: Life, Death and 3 a.m. Revelations in New York City Cabs (Paperback)

I heard about this book through the grapevine (facebook of course). I ordered it last week and just started reading it and the stories are amazing. The author has put together a really, really nice set of stories on thematic issues like scary rides, sex-filled rides, crazy customers, famous customers, tourists, and what cabbies do otherwise that we can all relate to even if we don't live in a huge city like NY! She also incorporates little fact info related to the story. Like "Curries like mom used to make" has a list of hole-in-the-wall eateries that cater to cabbies but are also worth a visit if you are nearby. The story about Aura and her mom driving cabs includes has data and further information regarding how rare it is to find a female cab driver.

I'm going to recommend this for my bookclub to read!!