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Wildsam Field Guides: Manhattan
NYC is the greatest city in the world, and Manhattan is right at the heart of all we love about Gotham. Wildsam Manhattan champions and celebrates what makes this place so special, so unique and so vibrant, taking travelers to all corners of the borough. This field guide features essential travel intel that opens up the city, from the Wildsam-curated record collection and reading list, to a deep-dive into neighborhood profiles and beloved businesses, to historical landmarks and more. Get insights and stories from notable locals such as subway conductors, television pages, boiler repairmen, pastors, Broadway stagehands, and chess teachers.
- GenresTravel
144 pages, Paperback
Published April 5, 2021
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
February 15, 2022
Very worthwhile set of essays, short listicles, maps, and other ways to try to capture the essence of Manhattan. Really a wonderful book to read if you're going to spend any time in Manhattan, or if you want to get a feel for the city
WILDSAM advertises their books as "not a guidebook". Although they have some recommendations of things to see, their intent is to have a book that gives you a feel for bits of history and culture, to understand a city as experienced by those who love it. So there are lists of best restaurants (although here, it might mean more 'most typical of Manhattan' rather than Michelin rated), or suggestions for shopping, and eclectic lists of things you might look for like "expertise" or "action". The book flavors itself with excerpts from newspaper and magazine articles, some recent, and some over 100 years old. It chooses some fascinating topics to explore, like a page on the history of rats in Manhattan, or a page on the crime syndicate known as "Murder, Inc." It's a really nice mix of things I might want to try, things I should know about (even if I didn't know I needed to know), and pieces that emphasize local perspectives that require living in a place. I was surprised at how up-to-date it was; for example, it reflected COVID pandemic effects where appropriate.
The best part of the book is at the back: four longer essays by the likes of Nora Ephron and Ralph Ellison, essays that give some real sense of why people who love New York love Manhattan as the center of their universe. I think I'll remember these essays for a long time.
I recommend the book if you are like me and want to understand the City because you've been thrust into it; if you want something more local than the usual Frommer recommendations for "5 perfect days in NYC"; if you want a very editorially personal perspective on what you ahould know about Manhattan. It does have some aspects of a guidebook, but doesn't try to be comprehensive. It is worth reading just for fun.
WILDSAM advertises their books as "not a guidebook". Although they have some recommendations of things to see, their intent is to have a book that gives you a feel for bits of history and culture, to understand a city as experienced by those who love it. So there are lists of best restaurants (although here, it might mean more 'most typical of Manhattan' rather than Michelin rated), or suggestions for shopping, and eclectic lists of things you might look for like "expertise" or "action". The book flavors itself with excerpts from newspaper and magazine articles, some recent, and some over 100 years old. It chooses some fascinating topics to explore, like a page on the history of rats in Manhattan, or a page on the crime syndicate known as "Murder, Inc." It's a really nice mix of things I might want to try, things I should know about (even if I didn't know I needed to know), and pieces that emphasize local perspectives that require living in a place. I was surprised at how up-to-date it was; for example, it reflected COVID pandemic effects where appropriate.
The best part of the book is at the back: four longer essays by the likes of Nora Ephron and Ralph Ellison, essays that give some real sense of why people who love New York love Manhattan as the center of their universe. I think I'll remember these essays for a long time.
I recommend the book if you are like me and want to understand the City because you've been thrust into it; if you want something more local than the usual Frommer recommendations for "5 perfect days in NYC"; if you want a very editorially personal perspective on what you ahould know about Manhattan. It does have some aspects of a guidebook, but doesn't try to be comprehensive. It is worth reading just for fun.
September 10, 2026
A functional, yet entertaining read for those willing to invest learning about the history of the city they’re visiting, or living in. Manhattan offers a bit of anything to anyone who’s ready for to walk or ride the subway in the city. The Wildsam field guide series are helpful for helping me plan a trip, but also discover something new about a city I’ve already been to.
September 26, 2021
I think I’ll buy this one. Love the detail, specificity, and inside knowledge. I guess I like it because I agree with it? Can’t wait to be in the City again. 🍎
November 13, 2022
Perfect book to learn all kinds of facts about the city
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews