The Other Islands of New York City: A History and Guide (Third Edition)

"A well-written and comprehensive tale . . . a lively history of the people and events that forged modern-day New York City."—The Urban Audubon Experience a seldom-seen New York City with journalists and NYC natives Sharon Seitz and Stuart Miller as they show you the 42 islands in this city's diverse archipelago. Within the city's boundaries there are dozens of islands—some famous, like Ellis, some infamous, like Rikers, and others forgotten, like North Brother, where Typhoid Mary spent nearly 30 years in confinement. While the spotlight often falls on the museums, trends, and restaurants of Manhattan, the city's other islands have vivid and intriguing stories to tell. They offer the day-tripper everything from nature trails to military garrisons. This detailed guide and comprehensive history will give you a sense of how New York City's politics, population, and landscape have evolved over the last several centuries through the prism of its islands. Full of practical information on how to reach each island, what you'll see there, and colorful stories, facts, and legends, The Other Islands of New York City is much more than a travel guide.

This updated second edition features new information on Governor's and Ellis Islands. Experience a New York City most tourists, and even most natives, never see. Within the city's boundaries are dozens of islands—some famous, like Ellis, some infamous, like Rikers, and others forgotten, like North Brother. While the spotlight often falls on the museums, trends, and restaurants of Manhattan, the city's "other" islands, each with its own personality, offer the day-tripper everything from nature trails to military garrisons to sailing excursions. This detailed guide and comprehensive history to forty islands tells their colorful, often lurid stories, and will give you a sense of how New York City's politics, population, and landscape have evolved over the last three and a half centuries. Full of offbeat stories and little-known facts and legends, this is much more than a travel guide. 22 black & white photographs, 10 maps, index.

Author Biography: Sharon Seitz and Stuart Miller are both native New Yorkers and alumni of Columbia University's Graduate School of Journalism. They have written for New York magazine, the New York Daily News, and Newsday. They live in Brooklyn.

Mario Cuomo

This is definitely a book I want for my shelf.

Examines the history and attractions of forty-two New York City islands, and includes telephone numbers and addresses of museums and other sites, and information on dining and transportation options