Rating: 
Summary: John Updike and Luc Sante praise this timeless memoir.
Review: "Just to dip into this miraculous essay-to experience the wonderful lightness and momentum of its prose, its supremely casual air and surprisingly tight knit-is to find oneself going ahead and rereading it all. White's homage feels as fresh now as fifty years ago."-John Updike"Here is New York, a lovely evocation of the spirit of the city, is even more a startlingly vivid picture of a particular time. You sweat with White in his un-air-conditioned 90-degree hotel room and walk down the streets of 1948. The ride is a great one; the writing is good enough to bottle."-Luc Sante
Rating: 
Summary: No one should come to NYC to live ....
Review: ... unless he is willing to be lucky. NYC, notes E.B. White, is neither a state capital nor a national capital, but a capital of the world. Written in June 1948, White captures the essence of new York which does not change, and not the minute details which he acknowledges will change many times over within minutes. "To bring New York down to date", he writes, "a man would have to be published with the speed of light --- and not even Harper's is that quick." White writes how, more so than the natives and commuters, newcomers to New York is what gives the city her passion. How at any given location, one is near a site where someting that would make front-page news in a small town is a foonote in this teeming city where big things happen every day. How NYC is amazing because it does not have enough air and light yet nevertheless its population increases and survives. How the city is tolerant because the incredible diversity and international community it hosts would be a radioactive powder keg if it didn't. Why else is the United Nations headquartered there? Perhaps what is most amazing is in 1948, White wrote "The subtlest chang in New York is somthing people don't speak much about but that is in everyone's mind ... a single flight of planes no bigger thana wedge of geese can quickly end this island fantasy, burn the towers, crumble the bridges, turn the underground passages into lethal chambers, cremate the millions." The city is both the perfect target and the perfect demonstration of nonviolence, he says. This is why it is a capital of the world.
Rating: 
Summary: A NOSTALGIC LOOK AT THE "BIG APPLE"
Review: Anyone who has ever read the children's book, "Charlotte's Web" will know what a fine and accomplished writing style E. B. White possesses. This book is another fine example of the author's capabilities. There is something about New York that has fascinated and captivated people since time began. It is a city rich with history, culture, style, charisma, and, yes, tragedy. However, through the years the city has had many stories to tell, and to visitors, it has long been considered the city of excitement and action, with a zillion things to visit and do. The year is 1948 and E. B. White takes the reader on a trip down memory lane, to the city of his youth, a city of splendor and wonder. There have been some very evident changes over the years; however, some aspects will always remain, "typically New York." Perhaps residents of the city and surrounding area take much of what the author portrays for granted; however, for one who is not an American, the city still holds a uniqueness unmatched by few cities in North America. The only downside of the book is it's length; it is extremely short, but I still highly recommend the book. As White indicates, "the city is like poetry". The magic, music and wonder of the city still draw people to its core like a magnet.
Rating:
Summary: A NOSTALGIC LOOK AT THE "BIG APPLE"
Review: Anyone who has ever read the children's book, "Charlotte's Web" will know what a fine and accomplished writing style E. B. White possesses. This book is another fine example of the author's capabilities. There is something about New York that has fascinated and captivated people since time began. It is a city rich with history, culture, style, charisma, and, yes, tragedy. However, through the years the city has had many stories to tell, and to visitors, it has long been considered the city of excitement and action, with a zillion things to visit and do. The year is 1948 and E. B. White takes the reader on a trip down memory lane, to the city of his youth, a city of splendor and wonder. There have been some very evident changes over the years; however, some aspects will always remain, "typically New York." Perhaps residents of the city and surrounding area take much of what the author portrays for granted; however, for one who is not an American, the city still holds a uniqueness unmatched by few cities in North America. The only downside of the book is it's length; it is extremely short, but I still highly recommend the book. As White indicates, "the city is like poetry". The magic, music and wonder of the city still draw people to its core like a magnet.
Rating:
Summary: A NOSTALGIC LOOK AT THE "BIG APPLE"
Review: Anyone who has ever read the children's book, "Charlotte's Web" will know what a fine and accomplished writing style E. B. White possesses. This book is another fine example of the author's capabilities. There is something about New York that has fascinated and captivated people since time began. It is a city rich with history, culture, style, charisma, and, yes, tragedy. However, through the years the city has had many stories to tell, and to visitors, it has long been considered the city of excitement and action, with a zillion things to visit and do. The year is 1948 and E. B. White takes the reader on a trip down memory lane, to the city of his youth, a city of splendor and wonder. There have been some very evident changes over the years; however, some aspects will always remain, "typically New York." Perhaps residents of the city and surrounding area take much of what the author portrays for granted; however, for one who is not an American, the city still holds a uniqueness unmatched by few cities in North America. The only downside of the book is it's length; it is extremely short, but I still highly recommend the book. As White indicates, "the city is like poetry". The magic, music and wonder of the city still draw people to its core like a magnet.
Rating: 
Summary: Superb essay but not worth the price
Review: Especially because this booklet contains only one essay and it happens to be one of many wonderful essays in "Essays of E. B. White," which is cheaper than this one-essay booklet. So if you want to read White's wonderful essays and unless you are buying this booklet as a gift, buy "Essays of E. B. White." The 1 star is for the price, the essay gets 5 stars.
Rating:
Summary: Makes me want to read everything E.B. White has ever written
Review: Every word E.B. white chose was the perfect word. It's one of those cases where I don't think ANYONE could have said it better. I lived in NYC from '94 - 2002 and I found that White truly got to the heart of what makes NYC and it's people so special and unique and enduring no matter what befalls. It was a great reminder that the heart of the city will live on no matter who - in this life or the next - attempts otherwise. It was a great piece of writing, and chillingly prescient at the end given 9/11. In fact it was so ironic, I thought I'd missed a change in the author and/or era it was written. E.B. appears to be the new George Orwell. In any case, I intend to read everything E.B.'s ever written! Even Charlotte's Web again.
Rating:
Summary: Makes me want to read everything E.B. White has ever written
Review: Every word E.B. white chose was the perfect word. It's one of those cases where I don't think ANYONE could have said it better. I lived in NYC from '94 - 2002 and I found that White truly got to the heart of what makes NYC and it's people so special and unique and enduring no matter what befalls. It was a great reminder that the heart of the city will live on no matter who - in this life or the next - attempts otherwise. It was a great piece of writing, and chillingly prescient at the end given 9/11. In fact it was so ironic, I thought I'd missed a change in the author and/or era it was written. E.B. appears to be the new George Orwell. In any case, I intend to read everything E.B.'s ever written! Even Charlotte's Web again.
Rating:
Summary: Uncanny!
Review: I just finished this essay on Saturday night. You must read it. It is one of the best descriptions of NYC. The last 3 pages are absolutely uncanny in respect to the recent terrorist attack in NYC. Pick it up and read it!
Rating:
Summary: Very Interesting with some irony
Review: I recieved this book for Christmas and I found this book very much to my liking. I love New York, and I plan to move from this small, country town someday and move there, this book has truly motivated me to do so. E.B. White describes New York so well, I feel I am there. Learning about New Yorks past is very interesting. Though I found something terribly ironic on page 54 about the destruction of New York City. I was wondering if anyone else that has read the book picked up on it? And, if so, do you understand or even believe that this was written? It is remarkable, not a good remarkable, but more like strange that this was written 51 years before September 11. If anyone else has noticed this please respond. Thanks, and read thsi book, its a must if you love New York and History and even E.B. White, I totally recommend it, its very clear, descriptive and a fast read.
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