On any person who desires such queer prizes, New York will bestow the gift of loneliness and the gift of privacy.

There's the first glorious sentence of the greatest New York book ever written. Yes, the competition is stiff, but this is it. You could underline this entire book, and I very nearly did.

I've lived in several cities and come to the conclusion that they're all more or less alike. As homes for many different people, they must do many different things; there is no room for a city with a distinct personality, because there is no identifiable personality within it. Attempts to force personalities onto cities are reductive. They have many stores, many streets, and many people.

But New York is different, and here's E.B. White on why.

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There are roughly three New Yorks:
There is, first, the New York of the man or woman who was born here, who takes the city for granted and accepts its size and its turbulence as natural and inevitable.
Second, there is the New York of the commuter — the city that is devoured by locusts each day and spat out each night.
Third, there is the New York of the person who was born somewhere else and came to New York in search of something.
Of these three trembling cities the greatest is the last - the city of final destination, the city that is a goal. It is this third city that accounts for New York's high-strung disposition, its poetical deportment, its dedication to the arts, and its incomparable achievements.

It's New York's status as "the city that is a goal" that makes it different. You walk down the street and nearly everyone you pass came here on purpose - not to any city but to this one, the big one. They chose not to make it anywhere, but to make it here. When you see images like this recent, viral one:

This is precisely New York. Which is of course not to say that either of these people weren't born in New York - how would I know? - just that they both belong here. (PS pop quiz, which of these people is least likely to stand up for a pregnant lady? A: trick question, the answer is the suited douchebag sitting next to them playing Temple Run on his phone.)

The wonderful thing about Here is New York, written in 1948, is that it still perfectly describes New York today. It still operates - surprisingly to some - as "a composite of tens of thousands of tiny neighborhood units." I think about that every time I walk to the bodega (almost daily), where Sandra complains that my serious son refuses to smile at her.

This, too, is more true than ever: "The city has never been so uncomfortable, so crowded, so tense. Money has been plentiful and New York has responded. Restaurants are hard to get into; businessmen stand in line for a Schraff's luncheon as meekly as idle men used to stand in soup lines." I don't know what the hell Schraff's is - now it's fucking Ramen burgers or whatever - but the lines are still there. BTW Ramen burgers are bullshit.

And then there's this, from the very last page: "All dwellers in cities must live with the stubborn fact of annihilation; in New York the fact is somewhat more concentrated because of the concentration of the city itself, and because, of all targets, new York has a certain clear priority. In the mind of whatever perverted dreamer might loose the lightning, New York must hold a steady, irresistible charm." Oof.

I'm originally from Boston, so I've spent most of my life talking shit about New York. (NYC is also the greatest city in the world to talk shit about!) But then I came here, because I was in search of something. I've found it* and someday I might leave with it; New York is a city of arrivals but also of departures. It's been a very special time in my life, and I've learned something valuable from it: the Yankees still suck.

* "it" = a girl

Misleading title: Here is a book. But it captured the spirit of NYC perfectly so 10/10

At first glance, the title "Here is a book" might seem rather ordinary and perhaps even a bit uninteresting. However, as one delves deeper into the content related to this book, it becomes clear that it is anything but ordinary. This book has managed to capture the essence and spirit of New York City in a way that is truly remarkable. It brings to life the hustle and bustle, the diverse cultures, the iconic landmarks, and the unique energy that makes NYC such a special place. The author's vivid descriptions and engaging storytelling make it feel as if the reader is actually walking the streets of the city, experiencing all that it has to offer. It is no wonder that this book has received a perfect score of 10/10. It is a must-read for anyone who has ever been to NYC or who dreams of visiting this vibrant metropolis.

This reminds me of Helene Hanff's tour of her hometown, New York City, as described in Apple of My Eye. E.B. White, with a more philosophical bent, pens a captivating piece that is both perceptive and prescient about the Big Apple.

The chiasm in the forward of the second edition brought a smile to my face: The LaFayette Hotel, mentioned in passing, has passed despite the mention.

While having lunch in a café, White observes the man beside him. The eighteen inches were both the connection and the separation that New York provides for its inhabitants. My friend Rebeccah's Facebook posts about her 5:30 a.m. subway rides fit right into this description. The rules of the commute are clear: you can nod to regulars in greeting, but introducing yourself or asking for a name is strictly forbidden.

White also emphasizes something I first heard from Garrison Keillor. The city is, in fact, a collection of countless neighborhoods. The joy I experience in my small town, of being known and recognized in the bank and post office, also occurs in NYC grocery stores and shops.

The most chilling words in this 1949 book are White's recognition of the city's vulnerability.

The city, for the first time in its long history, is destructible. A single flight of planes no bigger than a 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.

This year, I have delved into a plethora of books, many of which were good, but only a select few could truly be considered great.

I have embarked on a journey to explore short books, those precious gems where the author, whether by external circumstance or self-imposed discipline, is compelled to handle each and every word and sentence with the utmost care. It is in these concise works that thoughts, phrases, and sentiments are delicately intertwined, creating a seamless and powerful narrative.

I must admit, I would not have anticipated such a remarkable offering from the author of Charlotte's Web, an author who is truly one of a kind. However, this particular book has proven to be a tremendous find, a mere wisp of a story that perfectly encapsulates the essence of my literary quest.

Even as New York City undergoes constant transformation, this book remains timeless, a testament to the enduring power of great literature. It serves as a reminder that sometimes, the most profound and moving stories can be found in the simplest of packages.

I don't quite understand how he manages to make writing seem so effortless at times.

Especially when one takes into account the fact that he was commissioned to pen an essay about New York. So, he briefly returned and stayed in a hotel room. According to the introduction, it was "across the street from his old New Yorker office", a detail that I absolutely adore as he still remains a mainstay of this magazine. This was during the sweltering heat that characterizes summer in New York.

This essay is regarded by other writers who have written about the city as the ultimate love letter to NYC, and there is a good reason for that.

PS. I find it难以置信 that he wrote THAT decades before 9/11. It makes one wonder how his perception of the city might have been different had he witnessed the events of that fateful day.

Perhaps it would have added a new layer of complexity and poignancy to his already beautiful words.

I'm not entirely sure why I felt the need to round up to having completed 75 books. However, when I noticed that I was at 74 with just two days remaining, that's exactly what I did. So, I set out to achieve this goal.

I thoroughly searched the bookshelf in an attempt to locate something short enough. And that's when I found this particular book. I had read it previously, but upon reading it again, I discovered that I still loved it just as much.

What a wonderful way to conclude the year! It was also quite interesting to have read this book right before my move to NYC when I had only visited the city, and then again six years after I had actually moved here.

It's amazing how a book can hold different meanings and resonances depending on the stage of life we're in and the experiences we've had. This book, in particular, seems to have a special place in my heart, and I'm glad I was able to revisit it and end the year on such a positive note.

It is not difficult to perceive in these words the profound love that Whites has for New York City.

Despite the fact that a great deal has altered over time, numerous of the aspects he describes still persist in the present day.

The remarkable diversity of the city, which is a harmonious melding of various races, nationalities, and languages, is truly captivating.

All of these elements coexist in a state of mutual truce, bound together by the shared understanding that any alternative would lead to disaster.

This unique and vibrant tapestry of cultures is what makes New York City such a special and enchanting place.

It is no wonder that Whites' words have endured and continue to resonate with readers, earning this piece a well-deserved 4+ stars.

An amazing small book! It is highly readable and offers much to think about, especially in our era of Covid and general discord. E. B. White, whom we usually associate with "Charlotte’s Web" and "Stuart Little", was approached by Horizon Magazine, an upscale travel magazine of that time, to pen a piece about New York City. The outcome was far from being a piece of fluff. By 1947, when he spent the summer researching his article, he was already a permanent resident of Maine. The essay was first published in 1949. It has a slightly melancholy tone of an older person who recalls NYC in its journalism heyday yet is not dismissive of the present. To him, NYC endures despite all the issues and turbulence.

White states that there are three types of New Yorkers: those born there, commuters, and those born elsewhere in search of something more. These types still exist today. The conclusion is astonishingly prescient. His concerns about the future can still be relevant to us 70 years later. No doubt he was pondering what happened to cities like London and Dresden in WWII and the use of new atomic weapons at the end of that war, but it is chilling for someone to read today. I can't help but think of 9/11 and the often violent discord of our times when I read "the city, for the first time in its long history, is destructible. A single flight of planes no bigger than a wedge of geese can quickly end this fantasy, burn the towers, crumble the bridges, turn underground passages into lethal chambers…in the mind of whatever perverted dreamer might loose the lightening, New York must hold a steady, irresistible charm." And still, New York City endures.

There’s a relatively new independent bookshop not too far from where I live. I’ve made up my mind to do my small part in assisting to keep it operational. (If you know me really well, you’ll understand that this is by no means a burdensome task!)

The first time I walked through the door, the pleasant smell of fresh wood immediately made me feel content. An endearing Double Doodle named Vera welcomed me and sometimes rubbed her wet nose in my palm as I browsed. The owners have an interesting history. They left a prosperous bookshop in Hong Kong to open this one a couple of towns away from my own.

The only concern I have is whether it will succeed in the suburbs. I can envision such a store doing well during my wanderings in New York City. Fortunately, I discovered this little hardback-bound essay by E.B. White on its shelves. It turns out I’ve read Here is New York before, in a collection titled The Essays of E.B. White. As a would-be New Yorker like me, I can’t get enough of this delicious writing. So, it’s appropriate that I have this particular essay as its own little book.

“On any person who desires such queer prizes, New York will bestow the gift of loneliness and the gift of privacy. It is this largess that accounts for the presence within the city’s walls of a considerable section of the population; for the residents of Manhattan are to a large extent strangers who have pulled up stakes somewhere and come to town, seeking sanctuary or fulfillment or some greater or lesser grail… No one should come to New York to live unless he is willing to be lucky.”

I, for one, am looking forward to the prize. Bring on the luck!

If you love New York City or if you respect evocative prose like this: “I heard the Queen Mary blow one midnight, though, and the sound carried the whole history of departure and longing and loss.”, then you should read this.

My review of the collection The Essays of E.B. White can be found here.

The Big Apple, also known as New York City, is widely regarded as one of the greatest cities in the world.

It is a bustling metropolis that attracts people from all over the globe. The city is famous for its iconic landmarks such as the Statue of Liberty, Times Square, and the Empire State Building.

New York City is also a cultural hub, with world-class museums, theaters, and music venues. It is a melting pot of different cultures and ethnicities, which is reflected in its diverse cuisine and vibrant street life.

The city offers countless opportunities for business, education, and entertainment. It is home to some of the world's largest corporations and financial institutions, as well as top-ranked universities and colleges.

In conclusion, the Big Apple is truly a remarkable city that has something for everyone. Whether you are a tourist, a student, or a professional, New York City is sure to leave a lasting impression.

A Quick Read and Nugget about Life in New York

A quick read and nugget about life in New York offers a fascinating glimpse into the city. It's truly remarkable that this piece was written over 50 years ago, yet so many of the sentiments and perspectives it contains still ring true today. It's almost eerie how accurately the author recognizes the city's vulnerability and morality. However, it's not all doom and gloom. The author also highlights all the treasures that make New York truly fabulous. From its vibrant culture to its diverse population, there's something for everyone in this amazing city. It's a lovely reminder of why I'm proud to call New York my home.

I truly wish that E. B. White would decide to join Bookster. He is such a renowned and talented author, and his presence on the platform would无疑 add a whole new dimension to the literary discussions and reviews.

However, I have to admit that I would be extremely afraid to be friends with him. The reason being, it would make me overly self-conscious about my own reviews. I would constantly worry about whether my thoughts and opinions were good enough, whether I was doing justice to the books I was reviewing.

As a result, I'd probably end up becoming one of those people who just gives the stars without really providing any in-depth analysis or meaningful insights. I don't want to be that person, but I'm afraid that the intimidation of being friends with someone as great as E. B. White might push me in that direction. It's a conundrum that I'm not quite sure how to solve.