Preface ix Acknowledgments xiii Maps xvi 1 Introduction 1 2 Selling Hot Dogs, Planting Flowers, and Living the Dream: The Newcomers 21 3 Diners, Love, Exorcisms, and the Yankees: New York's Communities 71 4 Dancing the Bachata, Playing Bocci, and the Chinese Scholars' Garden: Enjoying the City 137 5 Tar Beaches, Sidewalk Carvings, Irish Freedom Fighters, and Superman: Spaces in the Big Apple 169 Illustrations following page 215 6 From Washington Heights to Hudson Heights, from Soho to Soha: Gentrification 231 7 Assimilation, Identity, or Something Else: The Future of Ethnic New York 296 8 Conclusions 346 Notes 369 Neighborhood Glossary 395 Bibliography 401 Index 437
William B. Helmreich is professor of sociology at the City University Graduate Center (CUNY) and City College of New York. His many books include "What Was I Thinking? The Dumb Things We Do and How to Avoid Them."
"Helmreich set himself a formidable task: he walked every block in New York City over a four-year period, producing what he calls an 'ethnographic study' comprised of vignettes based on interviews with hundreds of residents on sidewalks, streets, and even in private homes. The result: a magisterial work that examines how people live in this large, complex, and evolving urban landscape... This is a landmark achievement, for those wanting to dig deeper than The Encyclopedia of New York City, edited by Kenneth T. Jackson. Highly recommended to sociologists, urban demographers, New York historians, and all walking enthusiasts in the city."--Richard Drezen, Library Journal starred review "An excellent introduction to one of the most ethnically diverse and vibrant cities in the world, and a model of urban sociology."--Christian Century "The author exudes great love and admiration for his hometown on every page, and this collection of anecdotes brings New York to life with unprecedented humanity and detail. This book is pure joy; even the most dyed-in-the-wool New Yorker will learn something new about this vibrant city."--Kirkus Reviews (starred review) "To know a man, you have to walk a mile in his shoes. To truly know New York, you may have to walk 6,000. Or, you can just read Helmreich's account of visiting every inch of the city. His journey from the Bronx to Staten Island allowed him to mingle with plenty of fellow fl?neurs, like Mayors Bloomberg and Ed Koch."--New York Observer "[The book] recognises the fact that the everyday experience of the city--the people you meet, the odd things that happen--are important... For me, the best bits are Helmreich's detailed descriptions of chance encounters... He gives a powerful depiction of the numbing dullness of some people's jobs, from the security guard in the museum to the man waving a flag outside a garage. These are described with tenderness and not a little wry humour."--Flora Samuel, Times Higher Education "Fascinating."--Michael Potemra, National Review "An uncommon portrait of the city in 2013: a look at its diverse neighborhoods and the urban issues--like immigration, community, use of public space and gentrification--that run through all of them. The book is not a guidebook, but a very accessible sociological study, full of color and anecdote."--Sandee Brawarsky, Jewish Week
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