The
Landmarks of New York, Barbaralee Diamonstein, Harry N. Abrams, Inc.,
Publishers, New York, NY. 1988. A comprehensive reference book which documents all of
New York City's designated landmark buildings, both exteriors and interiors, as well as
scenic landmarks, in all five of New York's boroughs. Entries are arranged
chronologically, by date of construction. There are 560 entries covering over 800
buildings. Descriptions and maps of each of the city's historic districts are included.
Skyscrapers,
Judith Dupre, Black Dog & Leventhal, Publishers, New York, NY, 1996. A look at
fifty of the greatest skyscrapers in the world. Includes vital statistics for each,
including height, location, date completed and architect. Excellent photography which
captures details often missed by the naked eye. Architectural drawings and pictures of
skyscrapers now under construction take you behind the scenes and give you an
understanding of the efforts involved in the construction of many of the great buildings.
New
York in the 1930's, Samuel Fuller, Pocket Archives, Editions Hazan, Paris, 1997.
A tiny little book (only 3" x 5"), but with almost 200 pages of fascinating
photos of New york in the 1930's. Includes photos of buildings, street scenes,
famous people and the subways. Also includes the author's remembrances of the time
period, his life growing up in Manhattan, his newspaper career, thoughts on
intellectualism in the 30's, the media of the times, and more.
New
York, New York, Elizabeth Hawes, Henry Holt and Company, New York, NY,
1993. Subtitled "How the Apartment House Transformed the Life of the City
(1869-1930)", this book is an engrossing study of the history of apartment buildings
in New York, and of the social implications of New York's apartment developments. We see
how such apartment buildings as the Dakota, the Stuyvesant, and the Apthorp arose out of
the old farmlands to become a part of the very fabric of New York City.
The
Encyclopedia of New York City, Kenneth T. Jackson, Yale University Press, New
Haven, CT, 1995. This 1289 page book contains thousands of entries, arranged
alphbetically, concerning almost everything about New York City, not just it's
architecture. Hundreds of illustrations, maps and tables. Coverage of all five boroughs of
the city, from prehistory to modern day. Extensive cross-references and a full index. An
indispensable resource for lovers of New York City.
A
Pictorial History of the Brooklyn Bridge, Mary J. Shapiro, Dover Publications, Inc.,
New York, NY, 1983. Profusely illustrated account of the building of the
Brooklyn Bridge. Over 160 rare photos, prints and engravings that document each
stage of the construction. From the notebooks of John A. Roebling, the bridge's
designer, to the fanfare of opening day, these illustrations give the reader a
you-are-there feeling. Complimenting the illustration is a useful narritave with
well-researched text and and extensive documentation that recounts this saga of human
inginuity and perserverance.
New
York 1930 - Architecture and Urbanism Between the two World Wars, Robert A. M. Stern,
Gregory Gilmartin and Thomas Mellins, Rizzoli Internation Publications, Inc., New York,
NY, 1994. Part of a three part work focused on the evolution of New York, from
its inception as a metropolis after the Civil War to the onset of World War II, this
installment looks at the period between World War I and World War II. Weighing in at
over 800 pages, with an extraordinary number of photos, this book looks at the twilight of
civic architecture, the city as theater, homes in Manhattan, towers, transportation and
more.
The
Empire State Building - The Making of a Landmark, John Tauranac, St. Martin's Press.,
New York, NY, 1997. An interesting work of architectural and city history.
Reading more like a sweeping novel, Tauranac has written a complex tale of the zoning that
emerged to control tall buildings, the real estate boom of the 1920's, the history of the
site, the Depression, and the careers of the architects and builders who designed and
erected the building. Also an exploration of the building's life -- its role in the
city and the world. Lots of photos and diagrams combined with detailed narration
make this book a great source to learn about the real estate and construction methods of
the times.
AIA
Guide to New York City, Third Edition, Elliot Willensky and Norval White,
Harcourt Brace Javanovich, Publishers, New York, NY, 1988. Produced by the New York
Chapter of The American Institute of Architects, this generously illustrated book provides
neighborhood-by-neighborhood, sometimes building-by-building., coverage of New York City.
A thorough guidebook with many maps and walking tours.
