New York Underground: The Anatomy of a City

by Julia Solis

Did alligators ever really live in New York's sewers? What's it like to explore the old aqueducts beneath the city? How many levels are beneath Grand Central Station? And how exactly did the pneumatic tube system that New York's post offices used to employ work? In this richly illustrated historical tour of New York's vast underground systems, Julia Solis answers all these questions and much, much more. New York Underground takes readers through ingenious criminal escape routes, abandoned subway stations, and dark crypts beneath lower Manhattan to expose the city's basic anatomy. While the city is justly famous for what lies above ground, its underground passages are equally legendary and tell us just as much about how the city works.

Genres: Nonfiction, New York, History, Cities

296 pages, Hardcover

First published August 31, 2002

Reviews

[Ellen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this, but I had hoped to get more out of it. More history, more pictures, more examples. But hey, there aren't too many books written about such a wide variety of subterranean stuff; from the more mundane to the odd and exciting. This book deserves appreciation for that alone. I just wish there had been a bit more in terms of photographs, whether from personal photos or historical archives (especially considering that the author makes it clear she isn't encouraging you to go seek these places out).

[Mary Z · Rating 2 out of 5]

My Book Club is planning a tour of Grand Central Terminal in October and this book made the list of possible books to read before our meeting.. .. I have to say it was pretty interesting, a relatively quick read and there were lots of pictures... I think it could have bee wayyy better if the author had provided maps or even a map of the city and it's environs for those of us not exactly familiar with every location she was talking about... I understand for security reasons she was loath to provide details of "openings" but a map showing where old ponds and streams etc were in relation to the current city would have helped enormously... Also to have visuals as to where the various bridges are located... Anyway... There were only dribs and drabs of interesting things in my opinion and many of these were provided as "asides"..

[Mary Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an informative look at what lies beneath the streets of New York City. Old aqueducts, abandoned subway stations, utility tunnels, crypts, and hidden speakeasies are all explored and photographed. Published in 2005, it is a little out of date. A number of "future" projects referred to are complete or in the works (2nd Ave. subway and sites taken over by Parks Development that have since been restored, for example). Having been an occassional visitor to the city over the years, I am familiar with some of the places mentioned -- and now am very curious about the rest!

[Brooke Shaffner · Rating 5 out of 5]

I interviewed the amazing Julia Solis for BOMBlog: https://bombmagazine.org/articles/dar...

[Oriana]

I would like to read all NYC urban explorer books right now pls.

[Kevin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this book. While living in NY, I couldn't help but think about how vast the city's infrastructure was and how many places, both above and below ground were desolate yet so close to hordes of people. Julia does a great job weaving together stories in this book. I will read more of her work for sure.

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an interesting book about the various underground areas in New York City. Included are a few historical photos and many photos from the author's own explorations. Though I was interested throughout, I kept wanting the book to decide what it was and to give me a bit more. This was neither a guidebook (mostly because of the cautions and restrictions of our post-9/11 world) nor a straight history nor a memoir of the author's adventures. There were tantalizing hints of each of these but never quite enough of any one.

[Virginia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Since I spend about 2-3 hours a day underground in NYC, this book had its appeal.

It is so awesome. I learned a ridiculous amount about the NYC sewer system from my current job, but all of the shots of the sewers and aqueducts were awesome.

And, I knew very little about the train tunnels. I'm totally keeping an eye out for some of the lost subway stations now.

All in all, this book had a very "Neverwhere" feel to it.

[Jenna Los · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fabulous overview of the NYC Underground and groups that explore down there. We did our final project on this idea and reading this led to discovering urban exploration groups like Ars Subterranea, graffiti artists and the Freedom Tunnel, and abandoned gems like the Manhattan Project's cyclotron that still emits radiation under Columbia University

[Theresa Lynch · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loads of pictures and easy to read commentary on much of what is below NY. I find it facinating - but not enough to actually want to be IN the sewer pipes or abandoned subway tunnels... Thanks Ms. Solis for doing it for me!

[pam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really really incredible. I wish I were brave enough to do this kind of exploring. So neat to learn about history from an unconventional perspective.

[bRidgEt · Rating 5 out of 5]

so excellent

[Theo · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was right up my alley. I loved the history, the mystery, and the pictures.

[Timothy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Makes me want to go visit NYC.

[Erin · Rating 2 out of 5]

I thought the pictures were fascinating, but the text didn't quite hold up.