Awesome book for lovers of music, art, the 60s & 70s culture, and NYC!!
923316
I really enjoyed this book.  This book is many things rolled into one - memoir, music bio, artist bio, love letter to a wonderful friend/lover, and snapshot of the NYC subculture during the 60s & 70s.  Even if you're not a huge Patti Smith fan, you will be after reading this book. Very well written, like a true poet.
2844335
This book is just packed with little "gems" all over New York City; one of my favorite places on the planet. Having spent a great deal of time there since birth, it was really strange to know that I have walked right by some of these beautiful public spaces, without even realizing they were there! Pocket Parks gives a comprehensive description of each place, and the small but important details that tell you about the space, when and why it was created,and the history of each. It's a fascinating read, and I will be giving copies to two of my friends who are moving to New York. This would be a wonderful gift to anyone, particularly someone new to this vibrant city!
695594
The moment in time being, of course, the party-all-night culture of Manhattan in the 1980's.  Patrick McMullen chronicles these hedonistic and frenetic doings admirably in hundreds of crisp black-and-white photos in this huge book.  There are a heck of a lot of celebrities in here, and a lot of ordinary people as well, dancing and drinking the night away.  Andy Warhol was still alive at the time (did he pass on in 1987 or 1991? I can't remember), so a goodly number of the photos in this book focus, no pun intended, on him and his circle.  That's why there are so many photos of zaftig blonde "Queen of the Night" Dianne Brill, who tells her own story in _Boobs, Boys and High Heels_ (out of print but available through Amazon Marketplace).  There are also a lot of pictures of people whom the non-New Yorker may not recognize offhand, but who were important players on the city's social scene in the 1980's.  Fashion mavens, in particular, will value this book for its excellent views of what the well-dressed partygoer and disco patron wore during the decade.

By the way, I have to wonder whether "A Reader" was reading the same book the rest of us were when he characterized it as "oversized pap", which it certainly is not. (I notice, by the way, that a lot of the really bad reviews are left by these anonymous "A Reader"'s. Why are they afraid to sign their names?)
4220749
This is with a doubt, one of the coolest coffee table books out there.
It's a pick-up guilty pleasure type of book. The notes/poems in her hand writing is very cool. To see her personal thoughts through her eyes is a bonus! A lot of pics most fan's never seen just a all-around awesome book that isn't super long and drawn out. You walk away with a sense you've seen the brilliance and the madness of this under rated talent!

I highly recommend this book to all rock fans. 10/10
1311241
A "must" for those who love, appreciate, are amused by or are just fascinated with New York, the greatest city in the world, the Big Apple. (In the interest of full disclosure this is coming from an unabashed New York lover, it's excitement, its energy, its everything-ness...)

Stories of New York told as only the New York Times could tell them. Who, after all, knows the city better than the Times?  And who is better able to tell the story than the NY Times?

Photos, articles and essays, all kinds of comments and perspecitives, all worthy of the the greatest city in the world.

If you are a New York lover, you will love this book!!
1329137
I really enjoyed this book. Not only does it have some fantastic pictures of neon spectaculars in Times Square over the years, but it also has extensive text discussing the signage including the people and the companies behind them. It is in chronological order from when Times Square was known as Longacre Square to present times.
I am a big fan of neon, but found the pictures/text on when the signs were made of thousands of light bulbs to be fascinating as well.
If you are either a fan of New York and it's history of Times Square or a fan of spectacular signage, you will enjoy this book. After this book, I wish I could have been there to seem them in person because they must have been really wonderful!
2775185
I've been waiting for this book for some time now. I preordered it on September 4th, 2013, based on some preliminary artwork I'd seen of the project.
I'm into classic graphic novels and illustration (think of old RAW/Spieglman era), and was intrigued by the approach.
I'm also a New Yorker (Bed Stuy denizen at the moment), and have had an interest in street etiquette for a long time; "Move to the side if you're going to stop, nice tourists". I worked on 40th and B-Way for years, and really saw the need for some sort of pamphlet for visitors.

This book exceeded my expectations. It's written with humor and wit, and really captures a lot of what it means to be a New Yorker. I found myself agreeing with and remembering literally ALL of the situations presented in this book. I also saw my failures, and realized that I already knew the rules of the street... it's a GREAT book for both native and toursits.

The illustrations are great. I like the use of black (I'm a Charles Burns fan),

This is a strong first entry from Nathan Pyle; I expect some more amazing work from him in the future. I am now a fan of his work.

5 stars.

(I'd love a hardcover copy, signed by the author.... it'd go into my collection)
;)
2020809
I have really enjoyed this books of touching, funny, odd vignettes about people living in NYC. It's a true representation of the melting pot of the city. Each story is accompanied by a photograph, and often times the photos tell as much of a story as the written words. That's when you know a project is well done!
This is the kind of book you can browse through when you have five minutes, or 45 minutes. Great gift idea.
2436112
This book is fabulous if you're interested in the early 2000s rock scene in NYC. Lots of awesome info and history about The Strokes and many other bands.
140382
There's isn't enough I can say about this book. It's a fantastic look into what was happening in the 80's with each band that's featured in this book; especially the section on Duran Duran is interesting. Some would like to write them off as being pretty boys, but if you go back and listen to those early albums, they were(and still are) great musicians. From Annabella Lwin from Bow Wow Wow to members of The Smiths, Soft Cell, you name it they're in "Mad World". Very easy to read, had a hard time putting it down. There's also a cool foreword from Duran Duran's Nick Rhodes you have to check out. Definitely worth a look, BUY THIS BOOK!! :)

I'm more than ready for a sequel book to this...."Even Madder World"(?) :)
1465447
This book is great for any film, music or art lover. GG uncovers all topics and gives the reader a cross country ride all the way from NYC, thru Texas, Arizona, Vegas to LA. Listen to the authors, musicians, actors, writers, cartoonists, etc... tell what , how and why they were inspired to create the great works they did from rockabilly, to horror documentaries and film to punk rock movies and films, sci-fi, campy, you-name-it...all that is forbidden or great works that don't get much mainstream exposure are unearthed in graphic and honest details, it also comes with a CD of rare music and the voices of the amazing artists he interviewed. Loved it, highly recommended for anyone who likes pop culture.
173008
Great book, exploring the mid-70s, mostly New York punk rock scene.  It's a fun read, the whole way through.
4737562
This is a great book to read if you want to get the background on the LA music scene of the '60's.

It's amazing the influence these (mostly) unknown musicians had on rock & roll music.  Now, when I listen to those tunes, I get a lot more appreciation for the music.
4776708
This book was recommended to me by several members of a Facebook group I belong to and I loved it!  It was an easy, entertaining, informative and endearing read.  Brought me back to a time that was fun, weird, different and exciting.

If you're not that informative about 80's post punk/disco music history, this book will clue you in.
2453599
I bought this book because I wanted to know more about the Folk Music scene in New York in the 50s and 60s, and because of its ties to the movie Inside Llewyn Davis. It surpassed all my expectations. Van Ronk's account is brilliant . . . he is frank, funny, and just incredibly smart. I was really blown away by his sense of history, which is incredibly well developed, and encompasses quite a bit more than just the 50s and 60s.

It's a beautiful book that is full of pleasant surprises. Read it!!
2745019
I grew up in L.A. near Central Avenue. While I knew much of the music scene from the late 50's to 70's, this book blew me away and showed me how much I didn't know. The history lessons, photographs, posters and ads make this truely a collectors treasure. Tom Reed has done an outstanding job, but the passion shown throughout this book you would not know he wasn't born and raised there.
278485
If you want a great picture of the New York scene in the 70s and early 80s you can't go  past this book.  Andy Warhol was the ultimate party animal, and his observations of the people he partied with and the places he partied at are witty and insightful.
But hey the gossip is great!  Lots of people were uncomfortable when this was published, and with good cause.  It is really quite revealing!
If you are interested in the arts scene of the times this is a really revealing book.  If you like a good gossip this is for you.  Enjoy Mr Warhol's 15 minutes of fame!  He appeared to.