Native's Guide to New York: Advice with Attitude for People Who Live Here-And Visitor's We Like

Richard Laermer is an opinionated SOB who tells it the way it is, and that's just how native New Yorkers, transplanted New Yorkers and everybody else who loves the Big Apple likes it. he gives us a view of the city that is not prepackaged conspicuous consumption from Mayor Bloomberg's office and gives us the side of New York that cool people understand and wannabees seek out.This book rocks. This guy rocks. Enough said.

Mr. Laermer has written a guide book that is extemely useful to both Natives and tourists. In addition, it contains many inciteful and hilarious commentaries showing his profound love for what I think is the greatest city on the planet. In prepping for my commitment ceremony with my companion, we have bought a couple of dozen copies of Natives Guide to give to our out of town guests. We have people who have never been east of the Mississipi as well as European friends and we feel confident that this book will give them a comfort level so they will be able take on the challenge of touring the city. I highly recomment this book.

Here's why I find this book invaluable: I am a New Yorker, yet I'm able to use it as a guidebook to my own city. It has all kinds of out of the way places such as East Village eatery Veselka that would not appear in the typical tourists guide. And it is written in a way that's both edgy and accessible. I can only imagine that this book would be a great resource for non-New Yorkers.

I loved Native's Guide. I'm reminded of an enthusiastic friend with lots of energy who really knows the city giving you his version of the Grand Tour. Unlike most dry tour-guides full of lists, this, as a really good friend might, colors the tour with the writer's own personality, and Richard Laermer's personality, infused with passion for this city, is infectious. What other kind of tour-guide could one want? No formulaic points of view here. How refreshing after all. Oh, and check out those side-bars (because of this book I suddenly find myself on the look-out for egg-creams... and finding them!) I highly recommend this book!

Just like the title says, Laermer's book is THE handbook for anyone in the 212 (or 646 but don't want to admit it). There's no silly maps, pencils and pull-outs in Native's Guide, just the real scoop on places New Yorkers need to go. The club reviews are up to date and real and beyond that, NG is the only guide I've seen that goes into outdoor resturaunts, public readings, things for free, etc...Laermer's sidebars - heavy with yenta rants and raves - shed some light on New York urban legends and fun facts too, like how an egg cream earned it's name and just how those cab recordings got there. He's got a cute headshot too.