New York

According to reporter Meyer Berger, 'Each man reads his own meaning into New York.' This most kinetic of cities contains myriad meanings and shifting identities; but how can anyone begin to construct their own narrative in a place as loud, bright and busy as 'the city that never sleeps'? Elizabeth Bradley's concise and witty guidebook is a sane place to start. New York mixes history with high and low culture to make a Manhattan cocktail both enjoyable and practical, for the armchair traveller and true tourist alike. It traces the development of the city from a Dutch trading post to one of the world capitals of business, media and the arts, introducing readers to the city's most important - and colourful - dramatis personae along the way. A history of the five boroughs is followed by a series of ruminations on New York today - the city's natural landmarks, unnatural gin joints, immigrant enclaves and even its noises - providing thoughtful, eclectic lists of where to eat, drink and shop, and what to see, hear and do.A lively and engaging account from a native New Yorker, featuring illustrations both historical and contemporary, New York takes a broad-ranging approach to the elusive, shape-shifting city that will leave readers with a feeling of ownership and insight into the Big Apple both past and present, and perhaps their own nickname for it as well.