Elizabeth L. Bradley

‘This is a witty and sophisticated guide to Manhattan, with some references to the other boroughs, and it’s a book for people who know New York well, as much as it is for visitors. The author delivers her guide in the context of an intelligent and thoughtful history, rendered more like a conversation with a brilliant and urbane professor than a formal narrative or guide. Suggested explorations of the city are presented in the context of history and clever themes; carefully chosen listings for hotels, restaurants, bars, and other venues are delightful to read regardless of one’s intention to patronize them.’ – The New York Researcher 

‘Great things come in small packages: this concise history of the Empire City is a smart and lively read, as fast-paced and colorful as Gotham itself. Bradley is a thoughtful and witty tour guide, and her book makes an excellent travel companion for tourists and natives alike.’ – Susan Henshaw Jones, Ronay Menschel Director, Museum of the City of New York

‘Elizabeth Bradley’s concise and compelling history gracefully traces the City’s rise from Dutch trading center (enriched by Algonquin and slave labor) to world capital. Anyone who likes, loves, or tolerates New York will adore this fine book.' – Paul LeClerc, President Emeritus, The New York Public Library

‘Newcomers will love Bradley’s tips on finding true ethnic enclaves and the best resting (or trysting) spots in the city’s museums, while locals will appreciate a remarkably insightful analysis of the changes in the city’s collective psyche in the wake of 9/11. This brisk, illuminating, and highly entertaining book belongs on the bookshelf of every New York City admirer – and isn’t that simply everyone?’ – Sherill Tippins, author of Inside the Dream Palace: The Life and Times of New York’s Legendary Chelsea Hotel