Wild New York: A Guide to the Wildlife, Wild Places and Natural Phenomena of New York City

By Margaret Mittelbach

Book Overview

Wild New Yorkis two books in one--a beautifully illustrated, deftly written natural history of New York City and an indispensable guidebook for the urban explorer. From beneath the city's skyscrapers and between cracks in the sidewalk, nature writers Margaret Mittelbach and Michael Crewdson have shined their unique spotlight on the concrete jungle--and come up with more wildlife and more natural wonders than anyone ever imagined. Wild New York includes: Dozens of??Wild Facts describing the city's worst snow storms, the best places to watch the sunset, the rarest animals,??the highest points, the healthiest forests, and the hottest spots for bird-watching Fascinating biographies of the city's animals, from the unsung pigeon and the dreaded rat to falcons nesting on Park Avenue and sharks??lurking off Coney Island A??history of the city's 1.1 billion-year-old geologic past, including the unearthing of a mastodon's 10,000-year-old bones in Manhattan Sixteen pages of color photographs, taken by two of the city's most accomplished naturalists, showing never-before-seen views of New York City and its wildlife Directions for 33 walking tours in parks and wildlife refuges throughout New York City with 18 detailed maps to help urban eco-tourists find nature in the city

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0609803484
• ISBN13: 9780609803486
• Release Date: September 1998
• Publisher: Three Rivers Press (CA)
• Length: 196 Pages
• Weight: 0.96 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 7.4" x 9.1"

Customer Reviews

Holy Hiking, Batman, there IS nature in Gotham City!

This is, hands-down, the best book I've found yet on the non-concrete parts of this concrete jungle I call home. The illustrations are 1st rate, the maps are very helpful, and the travel directions even help you get there --- like most New Yorkers would --- by public transit. All five boroughs are included, and the book is chock full of tasty morsels about the City's natural side.Whether a native New Yorker or visiting from out of town, if you have the interest or the inkling to find hundred foot trees, tidal pools, salt marshes, Native American caves, hilltop vistas, or even just learn which wildflowers grow between the sidewalk slabs or which trees are tough enough to stand up to the stress of city life, this book is for you.

Excellent!!!!

This book is a must have for anyone who has ever lived in or visited New York. It is extremely well-written, witty, and as well it is filled with interesting facts about New York.

Great stuff for anyone who lives in or visits New York

Skip the Empire State Building and Statue of Liberty! Mittelbach and Crewdson know their stuff and their share it in all the fun and interesting details you could want. This is the "big apple" down to the core. I used to live in New York and was excited when this book came out.

This book had excellent brief summaries and graphics

Margaret Mittelbach's books is an excellent description of the one side of New York City that no one really knows about, the natural side. The graphics are excellent, providing brief and complete tidbits about the different time periods of New York City's geological and natural history. It is written wonderfully with a sense of humor and keeps the readers attention at all times. In addition, you come away pleased with the new and complete knowledge this book provides about New York City. The walking tours are clear and concise making the reader want to go on one of the walks immediately. Finally, the book design both on the cover and within the book, grabs the readers attention and keeps it throughout the reading of the book. Overall, I would recommend this book not only as a guide book for the natural side of New York but as an extremely informative and fascinating read.

COMPELLING!

Excellent writing. Takes you back to very beginning of New York before man and lets your imagination take over to give you a very different historical perspective. The Michener style without the fictional story line. Terrific reading. Read it in one sitting. You will view New York with a different eye after reading Wild New York