Seeking New York: The Stories Behind the Historic Architecture of Manhattan--One Building at a Time

(No, I am NOT Tom Miller's Mom!) I have loved Tom's blog "Daytonian in New York" ever since I discovered it a few years ago. He has the most wonderful write-ups and fabulous photos of probably thousands of buildings around Manhattan, mostly all residential. Anyone who says, NYC is all built up and modernized and nothing of old NY is left any more is .... WRONG. Just go to the blog and sample the gems he writes about , a new one every day (except Sunday.) Amazing work. Then you will be inspired to BUY this book.The book is divided into sections, by neighborhood and covers a lot of ground. Each entry tells when the building was built and details about its creation. Then the writing goes on to explore ANY tidbit, the juicier the better, connected with the place. Some houses have a riches-to-rags story going from high society dinners and fancy weddings, to a second life as a boarding house or apartments. Then the stories are often fantastic, burglars, suicides, clever criminals, dumb suitors, fires, bad renovations ... anything that happened at that address. It's all so fascinating and well written. The accompanying photos are a real treat and give details of the structure you could never see by just glancing at the building. They really are quite surprising in the care they are executed with. And, like I said, every day a new one.Ok, so that was about the blog, but the book is a really nice reproduction of (only) 50 of the pieces from it. It fits nicely in your hand, the photos are well done and the book is clearly organized. If you like NYC history, current architecture (these are buildings that STILL exist - well, mostly, some are sadly labelled 'lost') interesting stories and excellent photography you will like this book!

I stumbled on this book quite by accident after seeing mention of a blog that sounded interesting--"Daytonian in Manhattan." Ilive in the South but find architecture anywhere in this country fascinating, and this book showcases New York architecture to a fare-the-well.The book is divided into neighborhoods but no matter----it is one of those books one can pick up and read several chaptersabout the architecture and the wonderful backstories behind the buildings----put the book down and then pick it up when one hasa yen for more architecture.It is amazing that one person, the author Tom Miller, could have amassed all this wonderful history of NY, and might I add that the photography is outstanding also. Even though the theme is NY architecture, believe me this book would "play in Peoria" or anyother city for those who love historic buildings.

After living in NYC for a brief 4 months this year, I found myself constantly wondering about this building and that, and was delighted to find this book. It's fun, well illustrated, and a great thing to have for the out of town visitor to NYC!

Well written vignettes of historical New York buildings

Great gift for avid New Yorkers who think they know everything but may not ;)

Interesting info on buildings of NYC. Perfect book for description and history and lots of pictures! Just what I was hoping and looking for.

This is a very interesting book and I've really enjoyed reading it. There is a lot of gossip and fun info that you don't find in most architectural books about New York.

Got this as a gift for my husband for Xmas, and it's been a huge hit. He is loving the stories as well as the architecture -- well written and seems to be well researched. Very entertaining, offers a lot of insight into the history and evolution of modern city life in general and New York in particular. Really great for someone who has a strong interest in urban and economic development.