56 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1,1948
A short and beautiful tribute to New York City.
Written in the 1940s, E.B. White's work truly captures the essence of this amazing city. He manages to convey the spirit and energy that courses through its streets, the unique charm of its various neighborhoods, and the diverse and interesting people who call it home.
New York City is a place like no other, a melting pot of cultures, ideas, and dreams. It is a city that never sleeps, always bustling with activity and excitement.
E.B. White's words serve as an appetizer for a future visit, whetting our appetite and making us eager to explore all that this incredible metropolis has to offer.
Whether you're interested in art, music, theater, or simply people-watching, New York City has something for everyone.
So come and experience the magic of New York City for yourself, and discover why it has captured the hearts and imaginations of people from all over the world.
An ultra-concentrated collection of impressions about the city and its inhabitants, extremely valuable considering the time when the author wrote it (1949). Towards the end, a kind of chilling prophecy: "The subtlest change that New York has experienced is something that people don't talk about too much but that is in everyone's imagination. The city, for the first time in its long history, has become vulnerable. A squadron of planes only slightly larger than a flock of geese could quickly put an end to this island of fantasy and burn the towers, bring down the bridges, turn the subway tunnels into death traps and incinerate millions. Intimacy with death now forms part of New York: it is in the sound of the reactors in the sky and in the black headlines of the last edition."
This vivid description not only paints a detailed picture of New York at that time but also anticipates the potential threats and vulnerabilities that the city might face in the future. The author's words seem to foreshadow the events that would unfold in the years to come, making this piece even more relevant and thought-provoking.
Moreover, the use of powerful imagery and metaphors adds a layer of depth and intensity to the text. The comparison of the squadron of planes to a flock of geese creates a sense of unexpected danger, while the description of the subway tunnels as death traps evokes a feeling of horror and claustrophobia. Overall, this article is a remarkable piece of writing that offers a unique perspective on New York and its place in the world.