Wild New York: A Guide to the Wildlife, Wild Places and Natural Phenomena of New York City [Paperback]

Margaret Mittelbach (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 8, 1998

Wild New York is two books in one--a beautifully illustrated, deftly written natural history of New York City and an indispensable guidebook for the urban explorer. From beneath the city's skyscrapers and between cracks in the sidewalk, nature writers Margaret Mittelbach and Michael Crewdson have shined their unique spotlight on the concrete jungle--and come up with more wildlife and more natural wonders than anyone ever imagined. Wild New York includes:
Dozens of  Wild Facts describing the city's worst snow storms, the best places to watch the sunset, the rarest animals,  the highest points, the healthiest forests, and the hottest spots for bird-watching
Fascinating biographies of the city's animals, from the unsung pigeon and the dreaded rat to falcons nesting on Park Avenue and sharks  lurking off Coney Island
A  history of the city's 1.1 billion-year-old geologic past, including the unearthing of a mastodon's 10,000-year-old bones in Manhattan
Sixteen pages of color photographs, taken by two of the city's most accomplished naturalists, showing never-before-seen views of New York City and its wildlife
Directions for 33 walking tours in parks and wildlife refuges throughout New York City with 18 detailed maps to help urban eco-tourists find nature in the city

Editorial Reviews

From the Inside Flap

Wild New York is two books in one--a beautifully illustrated, deftly written natural history of New York City and an indispensable guidebook for the urban explorer. From beneath the city's skyscrapers and between cracks in the sidewalk, nature writers Margaret Mittelbach and Michael Crewdson have shined their unique spotlight on the concrete jungle--and come up with more wildlife and more natural wonders than anyone ever imagined. Wild New York includes:
Dozens of  Wild Facts describing the city's worst snow storms, the best places to watch the sunset, the rarest animals,  the highest points, the healthiest forests, and the hottest spots for bird-watching
Fascinating biographies of the city's animals, from the unsung pigeon and the dreaded rat to falcons nesting on Park Avenue and sharks  lurking off Coney Island
A  history of the city's 1.1 billion-year-old geologic past, including the unearthing of a mastodon's 10,000-year-old bones in Manhattan
Sixteen pages of color photographs, taken by two of the city's most accomplished naturalists, showing never-before-seen views of New York City and its wildlife
Directions for 33 walking tours in parks and wildlife refuges throughout New York City with 18 detailed maps to help urban eco-tourists find nature in the city

From the Back Cover

"A wayward, whimsical field guide."

--The New York Times

Selected by the New York Public Library as "Best of Reference 1997"

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 208 pages
• Publisher: Three Rivers Press; 1 edition (September 8, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0609803484
• ISBN-13: 978-0609803486
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 7.2 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,750,090 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent!!!!, June 17, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Wild New York: A Guide to the Wildlife, Wild Places and Natural Phenomena of New York City (Paperback)

This book is a must have for anyone who has ever lived in or visited New York. It is extremely well-written, witty, and as well it is filled with interesting facts about New York.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Holy Hiking, Batman, there IS nature in Gotham City!, September 26, 2000

By 

Vincent M. Silenzio "progressive.doc" (Rochester, NY) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Wild New York: A Guide to the Wildlife, Wild Places and Natural Phenomena of New York City (Paperback)

This is, hands-down, the best book I've found yet on the non-concrete parts of this concrete jungle I call home. The illustrations are 1st rate, the maps are very helpful, and the travel directions even help you get there --- like most New Yorkers would --- by public transit. All five boroughs are included, and the book is chock full of tasty morsels about the City's natural side.

Whether a native New Yorker or visiting from out of town, if you have the interest or the inkling to find hundred foot trees, tidal pools, salt marshes, Native American caves, hilltop vistas, or even just learn which wildflowers grow between the sidewalk slabs or which trees are tough enough to stand up to the stress of city life, this book is for you.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This book had excellent brief summaries and graphics, August 3, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Wild New York: A Guide to the Wildlife, Wild Places, and Natural Phenomenon of New York City (Hardcover)

Margaret Mittelbach's books is an excellent description of the one side of New York City that no one really knows about, the natural side. The graphics are excellent, providing brief and complete tidbits about the different time periods of New York City's geological and natural history. It is written wonderfully with a sense of humor and keeps the readers attention at all times. In addition, you come away pleased with the new and complete knowledge this book provides about New York City. The walking tours are clear and concise making the reader want to go on one of the walks immediately. Finally, the book design both on the cover and within the book, grabs the readers attention and keeps it throughout the reading of the book. Overall, I would recommend this book not only as a guide book for the natural side of New York but as an extremely informative and fascinating read.