The Neighborhoods of Brooklyn

Listen, I was born and bred in Brooklyn, and lived there most of my adult life, though I've voluntarily exiled myself to the southland, just had enough of winter. But when I was given "The Neighborhoods of Brooklyn" as a sort of goodbye and look what you'll be missing book, I was kind of skeptical. How could anyone else know Brooklyn as well as I did? Brooklyn, of course, is a big and important place. If it were considered on its own, it'd be one of the largest cities in America, and a remarkably high percentage of Americans trace their families back through Brooklyn. As the authors write in the preface,"Why begin with Brooklyn? Because everyone, everywhere has heard of Brooklyn...Brooklyn is one of the best-known place names in the United States. In addition, it is one of the city's oldest settlements: many of its neighborhoods date back to before the beginning of our nation. Indeed, Brooklyn was present at the creation of the nation, the site of the Revolutionary War's Battle of Brooklyn. And for millions of immigrants it was--and is--their first home in America. If we are a nation of immigrants, Brooklyn, which boasts residents of 200 nationalities, is America's quintessential home town." So it ain't just about the Dodgers leaving town in the mid-50's, though believe me, I was there at the time, and it was quite a blow. At any rate, the writers of this book have obviously done a lot of first hand research. They have learned a lot about Brooklyn's neighborhoods, and transmit their knowledge in a highly readable fashion. There are also a lot of interesting photographs: their photo editor is really one of the book's unsung heroes. But I do wish they'd splurged on color, although that might, perhaps, have made the book too expensive for most people. This book will interest many sorts of people, those who've never lived in Brooklyn, those who are contemplating living in Brooklyn, those who have just moved there, and those who have left the place. That being said, I won't miss winter at all, but boy, I still miss the Dodgers.

Under the guidance of Professor John Manbeck and using the resources of the Citizens Committee for New York City, THE NEIGHBORHOODS OF BROOKLYN is a survey of Brooklyn that is as colorful and diverse as the borough itself. Examining the nearly 100 neighborhoods of Brooklyn, each section is part history, part tour, part reference. (It even tells you how to get there by mass transit! It even tells you the local police precinct!) Maps of each neighborhood are great for walking tours you can take on your own. And the abundant illustrations really put a face on everything. One time Brooklyn resident, Columbia University Professor Kenneth Jackson, provides the introduction which is both appropriate and enjoyable.

One of the most accurate portrayals of Brooklyn ever. Accurate neighborhood borders and fantastic descriptions. I was especially fond of Professor John Manbeck's historic "time line" added to this book. Well worth the price!

We Brooklynites (yes, I STILL live here) do love to carp about our neighborhood boundaries and histories, don't we? I enjoy reading books about Brooklyn, and The Neighborhoods of Brooklyn is about the best I've come across in the last 30 years. The maps and the sidebar-style neighborhood profiles are great, and I like the eclectic mix of history, old and new photos, and contemporary comments. I don't usually keep books on my coffee table, but I find I've been leaving this one there because I come back to it again and again and look through it a little at a time. The Committee and editors did a beautiful job.

I am truly disheartened that the reader who comments on Flatbush feels the depiction of this neighborhood is so flawed. Since 1965 there have been great changes in the way people who live in Brooklyn view their neighborhoods. Indeed, a neighborhood is a "living" area -- not easily defined by lines on a map, but rather by neighbors and lifestyles and shopping routes and landmarks. With nearly 475 years of history, each neighborhood has had many boundaries - which we have also attempted to put in perspective. Regarding the photo of Albermarle Terrace - the only one shown came from the Brookyn Historical Society. Two other pictures show Albemarle ROAD which runs east and west through all of Flatbush - looking toward the park on one side and East Flatbush on the other. But, then we knew from the start that there would be no shortage of strong opinions, this is a Borough of strong people and strong character.