The stars are the ratings by Amazon.com readers (1-5 stars). When Amazon stars are not available, I have often provided personal commentary.

American Venus: The Extraordinary Life of Audrey Munson, Model and Muse  
Diane Rozas, Anita Bourne
The life history and legends of perhaps America’s most important artist’s model: Audrey Munson. Her face is all around us – from the Mercury Head dime to Civic Fame on top of New York’s Municipal Building; from the statue of the goddess Pomona by the Plaza Hotel to the statues of both Brooklyn and Manhattan in front of the Brooklyn Museum. Audrey Munson’s image was ubiquitous at the end of the 19th century in sculptures by St. Gaudens, French, Bitter, Konti, Weinman and many others. Rediscover this lost legendary personage!

Diary of a Little Girl in Old New York
Catherine Havens / Applewood
Memories of the author when she was ten (1849-1850). Embracing and often charming stories of people and places in old New York, as seen through the eyes of a child.

The Diary of George Templeton Strong
Nevins & Thomas (editors) / University of Washington
G. T. Strong was one of the classic New York diarists — a bright, observant, and sometimes caustic curmudgeon.

Dreams in the Golden Country: The Diary of Zipporah Feldman, a Jewish Immigrant Girl, New York City, 1903 (Dear America)
Lasky / Scholastic
A 12-year-old Russian Jewish immigrant uses her diary to chronicle her family's activities as they begin life on New York City's Lower East Side. (Children's book: Grades 4-8)

Down These Mean Streets
Thomas / Signet (American Library)
A classic memoir about growing up in Spanish Harlem.

Letters to Phil: Memories of a New York Boyhood: 1848-1856
Schermerhorn / New York Bound
An intimate and delightful recounting of growing up in a more bucolic New York in the mid-19th Century. Charming illustrations by the author who was a member of New York’s elite Schermerhorn family.

A New York Life: Of Friends & Others
Gill / Poseidon
New Yorker staff writer Brendan Gill, in 41 amiable articles, elegantly reminisces about 45 of his friends and acquaintances - such as Brendan Behan, Eugene O'Neill, F. Scott Fitzgerald, Dorothy Parker and Louise Nevelson.

The Hone & Strong Diaries of Old Manhattan
Auchincloss (editor) / Abbeville
Insightful observations from two very different 19th Century New York diarists. What a treat!

Resident Alien: The New York Diaries
Crisp / Alyson
Flamboyant, gay British expatriate Quentin Crisp (Naked Civil Servant) discourses and ruminates on his new "resident alien" life in Manhattan's Lower East Side.

Searching for God at Ground Zero: A Memoir
Martin / Sheed and Ward
A glimpse into the world of Ground Zero after the September 11th - a world of horror and, surprisingly, of hope, grace, and spirituality.

Village Life in America
Caroline Richards / T. Fisher Unwin - Adelphi Terrace
This book has long been one of my personal favorites. The author is a devout but irreverently humorous little girl whose innocent (but wise) observations reveal the wonderful texture of 19th Century life – both in New York City and in the village of Canandaigua, New York. A treasure trove of observations from a keen social observer. Fortunately now available in reprinted format. Reprint available from Corner House Historical Publications.

Flashmaps New York
Fodor's Travel Guides / Flashmaps
Packed with easy-to-read, full-color themed maps that will help you find nearly everything a tourist might need.

The Historical Atlas of New York City: A Visual Celebration of Nearly 400 Years of New York City's History
Homberger / Holt
Details New York’s 400-year history with vivid drawings and illustrations as well as beautifully rendered maps.

Manhattan, Block by Block: A Street Atlas
Tauranac / Tauranac Maps
A valuable portable street atlas which identifies streets, buildings, and sites.

New York City 5 Borough Pocket Atlas
Hagstrom Map Company / Spiral Edition
Valuable, especially if traveling outside of Manhattan.

New York City: That Vandam Book
Van Dam / Van Dam
Guide breaks Manhattan into 3 sections (Downtown, Midtown, and Uptown) — treated as walkable neighborhoods. Museums, restaurants, hotels, shops, and other attractions are listed as one would find them if strolling down the street. Includes three laminated, foldout, pop-up maps (one for each neighborhood) attached to the back cover.