Under the Sidewalks of New York: The Story of the Greatest Subway System in the World [Paperback]

Brian J. Cudahy (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 1, 1995 | ISBN-10: 0823216187 | ISBN-13: 978-0823216185 | Edition: 2nd Revised

Since the first subway opened in 1904, the New York Subway system and its trains have provided millions of New Yorkers with cheap, fast, and remarkably reliable transportation. The New York subway system lacks the electronic complexity of such modern operations as the Washington, D.C. Metro or San Francisco's BART, and New Yorkers have few qualms in admitting that theirs is not the world's most beautiful subway. But as it is in no other city on earth, the subway of New York is intimately woven into the fabric and identity of the city itself. Transportation expert Brian Cudahy recounts the history of the New York subway systems in a book that is full of detail, historical anecdote, and the wonders of twentieth - century technology. Tracing the system from it first short IRT look to the extensive network of today, with information about such fascinating sidelights as the city's traim systems and the PATH trains linking New York and New Jersey, he has produced a complete, thoroughly researched and annotated, and fully illustrated history that will delight subway buffs, students of urban affairs, and all those who love the city of New York.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"A readable account." -- Kirkus Reviews

"All the facts and figures are here in abundance." -- The New York Times Book Review

"Treats the subject thoroughly." -- Library Journal

About the Author

BRIAN J. CUDAHY's books include Around Manhattan Island: And Other Maritime Tales ofNew York and A Century of Subways: Celebrating 100 Years of New York's Underground Railways (both Fordham). He lives in Bluffton, SC.

Product Details

• Paperback: 194 pages
• Publisher: Fordham University Press; 2nd Revised edition (January 1, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0823216187
• ISBN-13: 978-0823216185
• Product Dimensions: 9.9 x 7.8 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #993,480 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Brian Cudahy was born in Brooklyn, New York, and it was there that he developed a life-long fascination with subway trains. His first professional career was as a professor of philosophy, and he held positions on the faculoty of both Niagara University and Boston College. Cudahy left the academic world in the mid-1970s and spent the rest of his career working in the field of mass transportation, first with Boston's MBTA, then with the RTA in Chicago, and finally with the U.S. Department of Transportation.

He has published widely in two areas of transportation ... urban mass transit and maritime history. When Fordham University Press celebrated its centennial in 2007, Cudahy's history of the New York subways, "Under the Sidewalks of New York," was cited as one of the Press' ten best sellers during its first hundred years.

Brian Cudahy retired in 1999 and currently lives near Hilton Head, South Carolina. Watch out, though! One of these days, readers may be able to get an inside look at urban mass transit in America through Cudahy's first work of fiction, a book that will bear the title "Foggarty's Heart Attack."

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

27 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Why can't we have THAT subway system in MY city?, April 19, 2000

By 

Alec Boyte (Toronto, Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Under the Sidewalks of New York: The Story of the Greatest Subway System in the World (Paperback)

This book contains loads of captivating info on that giant web that is the NY subway. Brian Cudahy seems to have a thorough knowledge of transit affairs, and of NY (he grew up in Brooklyn). This is not his first book on the subject, and he treats it with a personal touch that makes it very captivating to anybody, not just New Yorkers. This book is a treasure of little-known facts, peculiarities and anecdotes. I had a lot of fun reading it along with a map of today's network, to see how it evolved (and sometimes "devolved"). Very lively, with some classic NY politics, some catastrophies (including the departure of the Dodgers), and descriptions of how the subway helped make NY what it is today. Under the Sidewalks of NY made me go to bed late the way The Godfather did! I would recommend this book not only to every New Yorker, but also to anybody interested in NY and/or urban transit.

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Informative and authoratitive, November 21, 2001

By 

John Swallow (London United Kingdom) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Under the Sidewalks of New York: The Story of the Greatest Subway System in the World (Paperback)

I recently bought two books on the NY Subway to help me gain a greater understanding of how the system works. The other book ("The Subway : A Trip Through Time on New York's Rapid Transit" by Stan Fischler) was far more anecdotal in nature, and for me the lesser of the two books.

This book, however, was very informative and gave a comprehensive history of the Subway system, and seemed to be much easier to read (I got through it over a rainy weekend!). The pictures, while being in black and white, were of a good standard and crystal clear.

A most enjoyable book, and I would recommend it highly.

16 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The best subway book I've ever read, July 6, 1999

By 

Anthony D Paladino - See all my reviews

This review is from: Under the Sidewalks of New York: The Story of the Greatest Subway System in the World (Paperback)

An excelent resource on the building and infastructure of the New York City subway System. It also includes some great pictures.