AIA Guide to New York City

Rating:
Summary: Ultimate of its Type
Review: I absolutely devour the 4th edition, though I am familiar with all previous editons as well. As one of the Principal Editors of the "Guide to Cleveland Architecture," 2nd edition (readers: please seek out our great book), a lover of New York and this book type in general, and a professional librarian and architectural historian, I can certainly appreciate the gigantic amount of research that went into creating what is actually a massive volume like this. Therefore I forgive some details such as inconsistency of Index selection, some date inaccuracies (very, very little percentagewise) or actual typo's, or details such as some maps of which the lettering goes in too many directions. I do wish there were some way suburban areas could be included - for the "total picture." Perhaps a companion volume? But - wow - what that would involve!
The text has so very many splendid sentences, phrases, and attitudes I can really appreciate the strong subjectivity in this case. Our text was actually criticized by our main Cleveland newspaper architectural critic as not being sufficiently opinionated like the NYC book... I did counter-criticize that critic in the "Plain Dealer" in that there are reasons for more objectivity in an urban architectural guidebook but, I can surely appreciate the magnificent writing of this book. Of course I can't agree with some of it either but, so what? The point is this book gives architectural, urban design, etc. the major, major significance it deserves. They're sure a big part of my life! Bravo!
The book also takes on an even higher relevance after 9/11, as the entire fabric in that fair-sized area of Manhattan is covered.
Nothing anywhere near up to it (Chicaco's AIA guide is the closest I've seen) and there are times I can barely put the book down! Now if I could only get to New York more...

Rating:
Summary: Ultimate of its Type
Review: I absolutely devour the 4th edition, though I am familiar with all previous editons as well. As one of the Principal Editors of the "Guide to Cleveland Architecture," 2nd edition (readers: please seek out our great book), a lover of New York and this book type in general, and a professional librarian and architectural historian, I can certainly appreciate the gigantic amount of research that went into creating what is actually a massive volume like this. Therefore I forgive some details such as inconsistency of Index selection, some date inaccuracies (very, very little percentagewise) or actual typo's, or details such as some maps of which the lettering goes in too many directions. I do wish there were some way suburban areas could be included - for the "total picture." Perhaps a companion volume? But - wow - what that would involve!
The text has so very many splendid sentences, phrases, and attitudes I can really appreciate the strong subjectivity in this case. Our text was actually criticized by our main Cleveland newspaper architectural critic as not being sufficiently opinionated like the NYC book... I did counter-criticize that critic in the "Plain Dealer" in that there are reasons for more objectivity in an urban architectural guidebook but, I can surely appreciate the magnificent writing of this book. Of course I can't agree with some of it either but, so what? The point is this book gives architectural, urban design, etc. the major, major significance it deserves. They're sure a big part of my life! Bravo!
The book also takes on an even higher relevance after 9/11, as the entire fabric in that fair-sized area of Manhattan is covered.
Nothing anywhere near up to it (Chicaco's AIA guide is the closest I've seen) and there are times I can barely put the book down! Now if I could only get to New York more...

Rating:
Summary: Written in a difficult English
Review: I am going to be straightforward: the book is written in a slightly overblown language, which is not easy to understand for non-native English speakers. If you are a non-native English speaker, think twice before getting this book.

Rating:
Summary: Keep it close
Review: I have been a New Yorker all my life and thought I'd known it all. There were buildings/structures that I knew to be older than most and probably landmarks, but never got around to checking them out. Then I picked up the AIA Guide to New York City sometime in 2001. Ever since, I have kept it with me at all times: in my back pocket, my briefcase, my jacket... Sometimes I go to some of these places in advance, with the intent of looking at them after I'd read about them. Other times, when on my way to or from work or lunch, I will see a building, stop, and look to read about what it is. My hunches aren't always correct, of course: not all the buildings I think are landmarks are. But I always keep this Guide on hand to find out.

Rating:
Summary: A Great Book for the Architecture Novice!
Review: I have read this book each time I take a trip to NYC. I love to carry this book with me and take walking trips on Manhattan to look at the buildings described so vividly. Now that I live in Washington DC I'm going to order the AIA Guide to DC....Time to explore a new city!

Rating:
Summary: nifty & educational
Review: I'm a new yorker who walks from home in the village to work in the world trade center. The AIA guide has opened my eyes to the buildings I pass on my routes each day. Now I just want to walk all over the city with this book in hand!

Rating:
Summary: Reincarnation
Review: I'm sorry that your first reviewer is under the impression that I'm dead; as Will Rogers once noted: "the reports of my death have been greatly exaggerated". Modernism and historicism still live in the 4th edition, but that excrescence opposite the Cathedral of Saint John the Divine (a great monument) does ill service to the Gothic Revival it faces. I suspect that you are one of the unfortunates under the spell of Prince Charles, a sorry amateur who should stick to the business of Kingship. Modernism and historicism can joyfully live together. Enjoy them both.

Rating:
Summary: Definitive
Review: If you live in New York or you are fascinated by its architecture, you really should buy The AIA Guide to NYC. It is a remarkable tome, including more than 5000 buildings and 3000 stamp album style photos of structures in all five boroughs, ranging from Brooklyn to far Queens and from Staten Island through Manhattan and up to the extreme Bronx. It will hit your coffee table with a serious thunk, and provide endless browsing enjoyment. If you're visiting New York on a quick trip or want a selective overview, I discovered a new book that makes a good companion volume: The Architecture Traveler, by Sydney LeBlanc, which covers 250 American buildings. The author is evidently a New Yorker. About 60 of the buildings are in and around the city. It presents fewer buildings but presents a full page story on each of them. I bought both books: the AIA guide for comprehensiveness, the more selective Architecture Traveler for it's intriguing stories and for the rest of America, which it also includes.

Rating:
Summary: Indispensible guide for architecture buffs
Review: Not exhaustive but highly portable reference guide for anyone interested in the architecture of New York City in general and Manhattan is particular. The shame of it is the most recent edition dates from 1988. Much has happened since then, and the contemporary references are frequently outdated. If your interests go back further in time you would do well to find a used copy. My own interest at the moment is cast iron architecture, James Bogardus' work in particular, and there is no better way to spend a day than wandering Tribeca and Lower Manhattan with the AIA Guide in hand.

Rating:
Summary: Excessively Modernist Opinions
Review: This book is a good general guide to the bare facts, but the author is too big a fan of ugly modern architecture. He really likes clever games with concrete, and he has a kind of late-60's architectural sensibility about things. His former partner, Norval White, was more of a traditionalist and used to balance this tendency, but he's deceased now. Check, for example, his favorable review of the hideous East Campus dormitory tower at Columbia University, or his unfavorable review of the civilized Amsterdam Nursing Home. The book could also use more pictures and a less confusing way of keying the entries to the maps.