Loved learning the history and being given maps and references of the most recent occupants of the same plot of land. Very easy to follow the path of the book and understand where things are and what they were. ( )

Pete Hamill is one of my favorite writers because whether he's writing fiction or nonfiction, everything he writes is so richly textured with details, you feel as if you were there with him or his characters. His love for New York City is palpable in this book, something that has defined him as much as his work on newspapers or his Irish heritage (both of which he discusses in this work).

I found his discussion of Union Square in the aftermath of 9/11 particularly poignant and his accounts of that day, with his sadness and fear, resonate as we continue to rebuild his and our beloved city ( )

interesting book from New York born author - gives the history of the city from it's beginnings until present ( )

Splendiferous book, and a great thing to be reading while in New York City. I learned a great deal, and have sent quoted passages to guyczuk, who is in NYC this summer. ( )

3990. Downtown: My Manhattan, by Pete Hamill (read 21 Feb 2005) This is an impressionistic account of Manhattan, where the author has long lived, with a lot of history thrown in. This book is lyrically written and the opening chapters are particularly evocative. He says a key book on New York City history is Gotham, by Edwin G. Burrows and Mike Wallace (no, not that Mike Wallace) which tells in attention-holding detail the history of the City to 1898 and won a Pulitzer Prize and which I read 9 July 2001, and which is much longer but is really a better book if you are interested in New York City history. But this book is easy to read and well-written. ( )

lyrical love song to New York. Makes me want to go home again. ( )