A Very New York Christmas

Here is an ideal holiday gift for anyone who has ever visited the New York City area during the holiday season because it will evoke so many fond memories. For others who plan to visit the area for the first time as well as for residents who are eager to explore new sources of magic and delight, this book offers dozens of suggestions of where to go, what to see and do, etc. in the five boroughs...especially Manhattan (e.g. Radio City Music Hall, Rockefeller Center, the Wollman Rink in Central Park, and Washington Square Park) but also the Bronx (e.g. the New York Botanical Garden and the Bronx Zoo), Brooklyn (e.g. Grand Army Plaza and Dyker Heights), Queens (e.g. Flushing Meadows-Corona Park), and Staten Island (e.g. Historic Richmond Town). Michael Storrings provides a brief but eloquent Preface to his series of exquisite watercolor drawings, including those that are devoted to 39 different special treats that extend from the Macy's Thanksgiving Parade that employees of R.H. Macy & Company started in 1924 and concludes with a tradition that has continued since 1907 as each New Year is welcomed in Times Square. Relevant historical information supplements must of the illustrations, followed by brief personal comments about the seasonal events and locations. Here are a few representative examples: "New York City, where I live, is impressive at any time, but as Christmas approaches it's overwhelming. Store windows blaze with lights and color, furs and jewels. Golden angels, forty feet tall, hover over Fifth Avenue. Wealth, power, opulence...nothing in the world can match this fabulous display." (Norman Vincent Peale, "A Gift from the Heart," 1968) "The Christmas trees are almost all sold And the ones that are left go cheap. The children almost all over town Have almost gone to sleep." (Langston Hughes, Christmas Eve: Nearing Midnight in New York," 1965) "The magi, as you know, were wise men - wonderfully wise men who brought gifts to the Babe in the manger. They invented the art of giving Christmas presents. Being wise, their gifts were no doubt wise ones, possibly bearing the privilege of exchange in case of duplication." (O. Henry, "The Gift of the Magi," 1906) "When the ball dropped on New Year's Eve, I have to tell you - I was elated and enormously pleased at the tremendous progress that the city has made, and at the fact that New York was the center of everything when the world welcomed the new millennium." (Former Mayor Rudolph Giuliani, in his "State of the City" address, 2000) This little book comes as close as any book possibly could to suggesting what a magic kingdom New York becomes each holiday season.

This is quite simply the most charming Christmas book ever written about New York. "A Very New York Christmas" is the perfect holiday gift for New Yorkers and those who love New York. Each page reveals a vignette of people and places that reflect the vibrant and colorful neighborhoods of the world's greatest city.

I was totally surprised at all the detail in the illustrations in this book. This is remarkable art work that should be shared with anyone. I have never been to New York City at Christmas time, but I will definitely want to go and see it now after seeing it through the eyes of Michael. The details are in everything in this book from the illustrations to the history. A wonderful gift for yourself or anyone. Kudos to Michael on creating a chance for anyone around the world to "visit NYC" anytime!

I have Michael's holiday ornaments and have enjoyed them through the years. His book, A Very New York Christmas, is a great compliment and makes for a wonderful gift for the season. As I've read this book, it brought memories of the New York City that I know and experienced for many Christmases; having lived in the scenes that he depicted with minute detail (love your pugs Michael). A watercolour treatment to a great city makes this book a definite conversation piece and a must have for your coffee table. This book and Michael's New York holiday ornaments make a perfect pair.

When I saw Michael Storrings' new book, A Very New York Christmas, I was both surprised and delighted to see how he captured New York at Christmastime in some of the same hues and colors and visions as I have always experienced. Having lived in New York City for many years, I know how beautiful the city is. I love New York -- the museums, Rockefeller Center, Central Park, Santa in the stores -- and it is all here in this book. There are other Christmas books of photos and still others of stories, but I have never seen one with watercolors that capture the magical vibrancy and joy of the holiday season through art and poetry and historical tales. I know all these scenes, and have been hoping that somebody would try to capture them in painting and gather them together into a charming gift book that I can share with friends and colleagues who have never seen these sites at this time of the year. To know that Michael has produced this book of his art, as well as the references to how these paintings have inspired his line of stately Christmas ornaments, is to know where I can find gifts for my Christmas list this year.