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Welcome to the latest installment of Brooklyn Historical Society STAFF PICKS, a fun way to explore our awesome gift shop! The BHS Gift Shop features many items crafted right here in Brooklyn, as well as an array of books on Brooklyn and New York City suitable for the whole family. Once a month we feature a staff member and their favorite item from our gift shop because, let’s face it, who better than our Brooklyn-lovin’ staff to give great gift ideas?
This month we chat with the wonderful Lead Visitors Services and Events Associate, Kate Ludwig, whose favorite book is The New York Nobody Knows: Walking 6,000 Miles in the City by William B. Helmreich. Kate, who just received her MA in History from Brooklyn College, recommends this book to anyone who likes to explore and is interested in a little history from the back streets of NYC.
“I would recommend this book to anyone who wants an easy read, especially if they live in NY. It’s a great contemporary insight into the streets of NY across all five boroughs and it provides great background information about each neighborhood as well. The author does a beautiful job at portraying each neighborhood as is and helps readers to understand how they have changed over time.” - Kate
What is the last book you read? Hiroshima, by John Hersey
Any favorite hobbies? Boating, cars, fishing, reading, and traveling.
Why The New York Nobody Knows? Definitely because of the title and because I like exploring the city
***********
Imagine walking 6,000 miles outside of New York City… if you walked east, you’d get to Iran, south would lead you to Argentina, west to Mongolia, and if you went north, you’d likely end up somewhere on an iceberg. Interestingly, this is the same distance as walking all of the streets in all five boroughs of New York City. William Helmreich walked 6,000 miles, and guess where he ended up? Right back in his apartment.
As a child, Helmreich used to play a game with his father called “Last Stop”, where they would pick a subway line, ride to the last stop, and then explore the new area. Now a professor and a writer, Helmreich expands upon this childhood pastime of exploring the city in a remarkable book on the diverse, rich and influential place that is New York City. Although he is a native New Yorker, Helmreich writes in a way that is easy for people who have never paid New York City a visit to explore the five boroughs through the pages of his book. From interviews with immigrants to our last three mayors (including the late Edward Koch), Helmreich takes the reader on a walk through NYC with some of the city’s influential contributors who do not always receive the recognition they deserve.
Book Excerpt:
“Throughout the city, people of various ethnic and racial groups attend concerts, comedy shows, dance performances and the like, many which are geared toward their heritage and identification. It can be an Irish folk music trio, a Yiddish or Klezmer concert, a Polish polka troupe, an Iranian singer or a parade like the West Indian one in Brooklyn, or the Puerto Rican one in Manhattan….” P. 139
Check out The New York Nobody Knows: 6,000 Miles in The City by William B.Helmreich, sold in the Brooklyn Historical Society Gift Shop for 29.95(%2Btax). We're open Monday through Sunday from 12pm to 5pm!
This month we chat with the wonderful Lead Visitors Services and Events Associate, Kate Ludwig, whose favorite book is The New York Nobody Knows: Walking 6,000 Miles in the City by William B. Helmreich. Kate, who just received her MA in History from Brooklyn College, recommends this book to anyone who likes to explore and is interested in a little history from the back streets of NYC.
“I would recommend this book to anyone who wants an easy read, especially if they live in NY. It’s a great contemporary insight into the streets of NY across all five boroughs and it provides great background information about each neighborhood as well. The author does a beautiful job at portraying each neighborhood as is and helps readers to understand how they have changed over time.” - Kate
What is the last book you read? Hiroshima, by John Hersey
Any favorite hobbies? Boating, cars, fishing, reading, and traveling.
Why The New York Nobody Knows? Definitely because of the title and because I like exploring the city
***********
Imagine walking 6,000 miles outside of New York City… if you walked east, you’d get to Iran, south would lead you to Argentina, west to Mongolia, and if you went north, you’d likely end up somewhere on an iceberg. Interestingly, this is the same distance as walking all of the streets in all five boroughs of New York City. William Helmreich walked 6,000 miles, and guess where he ended up? Right back in his apartment.
As a child, Helmreich used to play a game with his father called “Last Stop”, where they would pick a subway line, ride to the last stop, and then explore the new area. Now a professor and a writer, Helmreich expands upon this childhood pastime of exploring the city in a remarkable book on the diverse, rich and influential place that is New York City. Although he is a native New Yorker, Helmreich writes in a way that is easy for people who have never paid New York City a visit to explore the five boroughs through the pages of his book. From interviews with immigrants to our last three mayors (including the late Edward Koch), Helmreich takes the reader on a walk through NYC with some of the city’s influential contributors who do not always receive the recognition they deserve.
Book Excerpt:
“Throughout the city, people of various ethnic and racial groups attend concerts, comedy shows, dance performances and the like, many which are geared toward their heritage and identification. It can be an Irish folk music trio, a Yiddish or Klezmer concert, a Polish polka troupe, an Iranian singer or a parade like the West Indian one in Brooklyn, or the Puerto Rican one in Manhattan….” P. 139
Check out The New York Nobody Knows: 6,000 Miles in The City by William B.Helmreich, sold in the Brooklyn Historical Society Gift Shop for 29.95(%2Btax). We're open Monday through Sunday from 12pm to 5pm!
This blog post reflects the opinions of the author and does not necessarily represent the views of Brooklyn Public Library.
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