100 New Yorkers: A Guide to Illustrious Lives & Locations

Holmes' nuanced, understated, and very readable style belie what must have been an exhaustive research effort. She highlights small but interesting details in each of the 100 profiles that invite the reader to find out more. After reading this book, you will have a historical, architectural, and cultural overlay to flavor your own relationship with and memories of The City. No one could hope to fully encapsulate this sprawling topic in one volume. But few could manage to assemble as much, in as portable or pleasing a package, as the author does to contextualize these noteworthy lives.

When I first came across this book, I thought it would make a great "stocking stuffer" gift; however, I continue to buy copies to give as birthday gifts--or "just because" gifts. For anyone who is preoccupied with New York--whether it is home or not--this book is addictive reading. In just a few paragraphs the author synthesizes the rich lives of each of these New Yorkers. Each section provides insight into pockets of the city and the lives that have passed through it, making it the perfect book to tote around the city to read on the subway and throughout your day.

After flying through this smart, incredibly well-researched book I realized it was the perfect gift for all of my friends who do/used to/aspire to live in New York City. I also gave it to my teacher friends who loved the detail and use it as a resource. How Holmes found all this stuff I'll never know, but I'm really glad she did!

This book has been in my coat pocket for a month. I sneak time to read it on the subway, at my desk over lunch, right before I go to bed. With "100 New Yorkers: A Guide to Illustrious Lives and Locations" Holmes is like the person at a cocktail party everyone gathers around to hear tell stories--stories about amazing people who have lived here and about the interesting, tragic, remarkable, funny, magical lives they've lead. The book makes even the most jaded New Yorker love that they live here. It's really quite special.

I opened this book expecting to only read the sections about my favorite New Yorkers. I started with Diane Arbus and read about the lives of all 100 from cover to cover sequentially. I don't know how the author found so much detail about the lives of these people who have so influenced life, politics, religion and culture in N.Y. Some of the stories were just amazing. The photographs are lovely. I enjoyed imagining the 100 N.Y.ers passing through the same places at different times in history.