Subwayland: Adventures in the World Beneath New York
by Randy Kennedy
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Description
Since the doors of the first subway train opened in 1904, New Yorkers and tourists alike have been fascinated, amused, amazed, repelled and bewildered by the world-within-a-world that lies beneath the city. Now, as the subway celebrates its centennial anniversary, the creator of The New York Times's award-winning "Tunnel Vision" column leads us on an extended tour of this storied subterranean land, revealing: * Its inhabitants: the Tango Man, the traveling magician, Mayor Bloomberg * Its show more wildlife: the subway-riding pigeons, the Fulton Street cat, the blind mules * Its customs, taboos and secret histories: door blocking, leg spreading, pole hugging, even, yes, token sucking * Its government: the sheriff of Grand Central, the Ethel Merman of the shuttle, the motorman who drove the last No. 1 train beneath the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001 * Tips for the first-time traveler: how to get a seat, how to get a date, the fine art of "pre-walking" show lessTags
Recommendations
Member Reviews
An interesting collection of columns that appeared around the subway's 100th birthday. I found it far more meaningful to read this go around than when I tried a few years back. I think it's due to more time spent in the subway and I can really identify with some of the people, stories, etc. Wonder if the pigeons still come with all the service cuts?
Call me cooky, but I am interested in learning about the New York City subway system. Afterall, I spend about 2 hours of my day everyday riding these disgusting things. This is a fun book with some interesting facts about not only the subway itself, but the people who help make it run and the nut jobs that ride it everyday. Only in NYC...
Anyone who lives in NYC or is the least bit familiar with the NY subway system will enjoy this book.
Great collection of short stories written by a NYT columnist.
The stories all sort of run together into one story so it makes the endings less abrupt.
Great collection of short stories written by a NYT columnist.
The stories all sort of run together into one story so it makes the endings less abrupt.
Reads like the collection of NY Times columns that it is.
Ratings
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Author Information
14+ Works 262 Members
Randy Kennedy has been a reporter at The New York Times for ten years. In 2001, "Tunnel Vision" won the New York State Associated Press Association award for best column. Kennedy lives in Brooklyn and takes the B train
Common Knowledge
- Original publication date
- 2004
- Important places
- New York, New York, USA; NYC Subway, New York, New York, USA
- Dedication
- For my mother. And my father, who always loved a good story.
Classifications
- Genres
- Nonfiction, Travel, General Nonfiction, Biography & Memoir
- DDC/MDS
- 917.4710443 — History & geography Geography & travel Geography of and travel in North America Northeastern U.S. New York State New York City (Manhattan) Travel 1865- 1945-1999
- LCC
- F128.55 .K46 — Local History of the United States, Canada and Latin America United States local history New York
- BISAC
Statistics
- Members
- 174
- Popularity
- 187,530
- Reviews
- 4
- Rating
- (3.70)
- Languages
- English
- Media
- Paper, Ebook
- ISBNs
- 3
- ASINs
- 1
