Wild City: A Brief History of New York City in 40 Animals

by Thomas Hynes

An illustrated guide to 40 of the most well-known, surprising, notorious, mythical, and sublime non-human citizens of New York City, and love letter to its surprising ecological diversity. 


From refugee parrots and prodigal beavers to gorgeous Fifth Avenue hawks and vengeful groundhogs, Wild City tells the funny, quirky, and memorable stories of forty of New York City’s most surprising nonhuman citizens. This unconventional wildlife guide and concise environ­mental history of the Big Apple includes tales of the well-known, notorious, and legendary creatures who are as much New Yorkers as their human counterparts.

A celebration of some of the city’s most surpris­ing residents and a love letter to this always evolv­ing metropolis, Wild City is an enchanting illustrated volume that is a must-have for every Big Apple devotee and animal lover.

Genres: New York, Animals, Nonfiction, Nature, History, Audiobook

160 pages, Hardcover

Published May 26, 2020

Reviews

[Thomas Hynes · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book shortly after I wrote it and honestly think it's great.

[Veronica · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a PLEASURE. It's highly informative, yet thoroughly entertaining. Beautifully written and smartly researched. I learned so much about NYC through the most unexpected avenues. Also...looks great on my bookshelf!

[Spiffybumble · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is really fun as someone who wants to learn about all of the nature of this city, but for someone who introduces the book by talking about going on whale tours and kayaking for beavers, he provides little more information (or creative writing flair) than a Wikipedia article. I had already read the Wikipedia article on the Central Park mandarin duck, the sewer alligators, and the monk parakeets for instance, and this book contained the same information in the same order so much that I was *almost* tempted to go and see if plagiarism happened here but I decided it wasn’t worth the energy.

If you don’t know about the topics, this is a fun introduction to the individual animals and species that have been a *thing* in New York. It’s a quick read so why not!? If you already know a thing or two, then this book probably won’t do much for you as it really is just a brief introduction.

But you know what? It’s a passionate little celebration of animals in the city and a quaint conservationist message of human-animal symbiosis. I liked it!

[Lauren Morrell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book - Learned lots of new, genuinely interesting things about NYC through the animals profiled. Bought copies for my friends with kids. Very entertaining and fun coffee table type of book you’ll actually read and recount stories from. Great random library find.

[Evelyn · Rating 1 out of 5]

Although this book is advertised as a history of New York City (NYC) in animals, or possibly a natural history, it is neither. Instead the book consists of a compilation of anecdotes about animals that may have been associated with the City compiled from newspaper and other historical records, and folktales. Facts are often lacking in some of the selections. Some of the tales are far fetched and strain credibility. Others are actually targeted towards discussing environmental issues such as pollution rather than the animal in question.

Suffice it to say that this book is not a good resource if you want to learn about the lives of animals including their habitats, conservation status, etc that are associated with, or played a role in the history of NYC. A better reference on the natural history of NYC and its surrounding area for the general reader is Unseen Life Of New York As A Naturalist Sees It by William Beebe. Although out-of-print and reflective of the prejudices of its time (the 1950s), the book still remains an excellent source of information about the animals that once inhabited NYC and its environs.

The book rates 1.5 stars.

[Shiloh Frederick · Rating 5 out of 5]

You'll learn something new from the opening pages to the closing pages. This book is is the perfect combination of funny, informative, engaging, and inspiring.

[Jacquie Flecknoe-Brown · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very entertaining - listened in audible. A great tribute to the importance of urban wildlife

[Spike Carlsen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has it all. Great information, stories, illustrations and writing. The author delivers a ton of insights and trivia with each page. The perfect gift for any wildlife lover-New Yorker or not.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a love letter to the nature (and unnatural) that can survive in a harsh urban landscape. In a series of very short stories of specific animals or species in NYC, the author encourages the reader to open their eyes to the wonder of the animals they wouldn't have given a second thought (raccoons, starlings, mosquitos, pigeons) to the animals they might not know are even here (falcons, seals, dolphins). The author is the kind of person I would want to hang out with: the kind of person to stop, look, and say "OH COOOOOOL!"

[Autumn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had a lot of fun with this one. At one point, we took a trip to NYC and played a game of "spot the Wild City animal". I was unfamiliar with most of the information inside, which is always a plus for me. Hynes' writing is neither dry nor dull. There was a lot of fun wordplay and he brought in some of the quirkiest bits of history.

Both the children I nanny for are under 5 years old and also enjoyed going through this book with me - whether by sitting there flipping through it while I summed up the stories or by seeing it in my bag and asking what animals I read that day and what my favorite fact was - so I'm sure this is a book that can be read with animal loving children (though there are a few word plays that are aimed at adults, so be aware of that before straight up handing it to kids).

[Ted Conbeer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved every minute of reading this book. The artwork is beautiful, the writing is funny, and it made me love New York City more than ever. I bought several copies as gifts, and everyone else loved it too!

[Lauren Carter · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book has me conflicted. I wanted to love it but I don't. The brief history is about 3rd grade topics of environmental science and while the concept seemed good, it just falls flat as to the actual delivery of the brief history of NY.. The graphics are what gave it an extra star.

[Taylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this! A bunch of interesting historical anecdotes. I enjoyed that most of the critters were familiar since newyork is so near me. Also really enjoyed how things tended to lean positive in regards to restoration efforts; I liked the ecological emphasis in most of the chapters

[Izabella Rodrigues · Rating 4 out of 5]

brilliant brilliant brilliant. put such a large smile on my face. I love starlings even more now! AND GREAT WHITE SHARKS?!?!!! perfect for shark week! 🦈 this is a must read for a beginner naturalist in nyc

[Matthew · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is good as heck. Well-researched, well-written and fun.

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute!

[Paul · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a wonderful book that really gave some delightful information about NYC and the wildlife there. My kids loved it too!

[Maya Guevara · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book. Genuinely delightful, hopeful, informative, and adds so much context to what we see around us everyday in NYC

[Renee · Rating 4 out of 5]

I will listen to Daniel Henning read a cereal box. What a fun little book!

[Valerie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was surprisingly funny. An enjoyable, light read.