EBW truly captures the complex and mixed feelings of NYC in an outstanding way. It delves deep into the unique camaraderie that exists in such a vibrant and diverse place.

Reading EBW's account has not only made me appreciate the city on a whole new level but has also inspired me to embark on a journey of exploring more of the historical landmarks that I have often taken for granted during my time living here.

NYC is filled with countless iconic sites that hold a wealth of history and stories. From the majestic Statue of Liberty to the bustling Times Square, each landmark has its own significance and charm.

I now realize that these places are not just tourist attractions but an integral part of the city's identity. By visiting them, I hope to gain a deeper understanding of NYC's past and present, and to connect with the spirit of this great city on a more profound level.

Beautifully written and truly brilliant, E.B. White's work is a masterpiece. He has the remarkable ability to perfectly capture the very essence and spirit of New York. At the outset, he offers a disclaimer, asking the reader to take into account the fact that the city is in a constant state of flux. However, despite this caveat, the majority of his work remains as relevant and true today as it was on the very day it was penned. The details, the emotions, and the unique charm of New York that he describes are timeless. It is a work that not only provides a vivid snapshot of the city at a particular moment in time but also offers insights that continue to resonate. This book is highly recommended for anyone who has a love for New York or for those who simply appreciate great literature. It is a must-read that will transport you to the vibrant streets of the Big Apple and leave you with a deeper understanding and appreciation of this iconic city.

I was born in the bustling city of New York in 1951. However, I moved out when I was just two years old and grew up in a sleepy little village half an hour north. This instantly transformed my father into a member of what E. B. White calls the “second New York” - there are three New Yorks as he describes on pages 25 - 26. He became a commuter. In 1972, I moved back to New York City permanently and became a member of what E. B. (Andy) White calls the “third New York”, consisting of people from elsewhere in search of something. I came to be an actor but out of frustration and exhaustion, I evolved into a writer and a member of White’s “first New York”: “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.”

White writes, “By rights New York should have destroyed itself long ago.” And towards the end of this essay, in a stroke of prescience that gives me goosebumps, he says, “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. The intimation of mortality is part of New York now: in the sound of jets overhead, in the black headline of the latest edition.” How did he see this in 1948? But I guess I shouldn’t be surprised as his collection of essays “One Man’s Meat” is full of such foresight. Since 9/11 didn’t end us, my guess is nothing can.

Although “Here is New York” was written seventy-one years ago, White still describes my beloved hometown perfectly. You can be alone here if you choose, and everything possible is available for your enjoyment or ire. New York is a massive global city, yet there are tiny neighborhoods every bit as distinct as in small towns. Daily, when I am coming home from my early-morning Central Park dog walks, I wave to one of my neighbors through his second-floor window where he sits and draws. Perhaps landmarks have changed since 1948, but the essence of New York could not be better expressed or more beautifully written than it is in this little masterpiece of an essay.

A postscript: In the 1999 edition of this book, there is an introduction by White’s stepson, renowned writer Roger Angell. Remarking on some of the changes White would have seen had he visited the city then, he says, “Fifth Avenue, he would find, has been Trumped...” This sounds so innocent to my ear now in 2019 when the country and, indeed, the whole world has been Trumped. New York City is a place for everyone - even con artists like Trump; he belonged here. Everyone who did business with him knew he lied and cheated. Banks refused to make him loans. Contractors worked at their peril because he was famous for refusing to pay people. But he belongs to New York City because everybody belongs here. And even in 1948, E. B. White communicated that - we are a kind of wild Noah’s Arc of humanity: “The collision and the intermingling of these millions of foreign-born people representing so many races and creeds make New York a permanent exhibit of the phenomenon of one world.” That our diversity can be so rich and delicious, yet it foisted upon the nation a man who would now call that diversity dangerous... I just don’t understand. I wonder what Andy White would write now. Oh, how I miss him.

On a sweltering summer day in 1948, E.B White penned a captivating travel piece centered around New York City.

He artfully described the unique attributes of the city through the perspectives of three distinct inhabitants. There were those who were born and raised in NYC, having a deep-rooted connection to the place. Then there was the commuter, who arrived and left the city each day, experiencing its hustle and bustle in a different way. And finally, the NYC transplant, who had chosen to make the city their new home.

To each of these individuals, the city offered a remarkable combination of privacy and the opportunity for participation. It was as if the city could both embrace and shield its residents.

Eerily, White also described the vulnerability of the city from the vantage point of planes. This description takes on a whole new significance when one thinks about the tragic events of 9/11.

Overall, it is an amazing short story that provides a fascinating glimpse into the character and essence of New York City.

EB (Andy) White, better known for his children's books, also had a talent for writing essays, and one of his most famous was published in The New Yorker.

In this essay, he takes a stroll through the streets of Manhattan and presents what seem to be conflicting images of the city. However, these images blend and coexist, giving the city its unique identity.

The essay is relatively short, but it leaves the reader with a feeling similar to that of sticking one's nose into a rare and aged single malt but being denied a taste.

From the last pages of the essay, there is a powerful quote. White writes about the subtlest change in New York, something that people don't talk about much but is on everyone's mind. In 1948, just after the war and the introduction of the atomic bomb, he notes that the city, for the first time in its long history, is destructible. A small flight of planes could quickly end the island fantasy, burning the towers, crumbling the bridges, and turning the underground passages into lethal chambers. The intimation of mortality is now part of New York, evident in the sound of jets overhead and the black headlines of the latest edition.

Of course, White was writing about a specific time in history, but his words still resonate with modern-day readers, especially when thinking about events like 9/11. In a world where nuclear war is still a concern, his words about the fear and vulnerability of cities are as applicable now as they were then.

Don't tell New Yorkers I said so, but...

I think I might like this book more than the city itself.

Through E.B. White's eyes, NYC is a magical, romantic place.

OK, OK--it is in real life too, but his words lend a certain amount of mystique that I haven't quite uncovered in the city itself.

(Leave me alone. I'm a Bama girl and I like it.)

I read the final pages of this book while sitting under a tree in Central Park, just as it started to rain.

What could be better, seriously?!

As I sat there, the raindrops gently fell around me, creating a soft and peaceful atmosphere.

The words on the page seemed to come alive, transporting me even deeper into the world that E.B. White had created.

I could almost feel the hustle and bustle of the city, yet at the same time, I was completely at peace in my little corner of Central Park.

It was a moment of pure magic, one that I will always remember.

And as I closed the book and looked up at the sky, I knew that this was a place and a book that would always hold a special place in my heart.

I have had a profound fascination with NYC ever since I was a small child. Back then, I dreamed of living in that vibrant city. However, as time has passed, my desire to live there has diminished, but I still strive to visit as often as possible.

This book has become the perfect remedy to satisfy my longing. It truly showcases the author's deep love for New York. I have always believed that New Yorkers are a unique breed of people, and this book vividly brings that essence to life. It delves into all the strange and wonderful aspects that make NYC the remarkable city it is.

This book is indeed the author's love letter to New York.

I am extremely grateful to Stephanie for introducing me to this book. After reading her wonderful review, I knew without a doubt that I had to explore this one. It has been a truly enriching experience, allowing me to further appreciate the魅力 of New York through the author's eyes.

It's truly fascinating to observe how remarkably similar New York remains, at least in the broader sense if not in every single detail.

This city, which is often regarded as a melting pot of cultures and a hub of innovation, has retained certain characteristics that give it a unique charm.

The energy that courses through its streets, the towering skyscrapers that define its skyline, and the diverse range of people from all walks of life are all elements that have endured over time.

Despite the constant evolution and change that occurs within the city, there is an underlying essence that persists.

It's as if New York has a personality of its own, one that is both dynamic and timeless.

The beautiful essay that inspired these thoughts captures this essence perfectly, painting a vivid picture of a city that is both familiar and full of surprises.

It serves as a reminder of the enduring appeal of New York and the countless stories that continue to unfold within its boundaries.

A poem has the remarkable ability to compress a wealth of ideas and emotions into a relatively small space.

Not only that, but it also adds the element of music, which further heightens its meaning and impact.

In a similar vein, a city can be likened to a poem.

Take the city, for example. It compresses all aspects of life, encompassing all races and breeds, and condenses them into a small island.

Just like a poem, it also adds music, in the form of the sounds of the city, and the accompaniment of internal engines.

The island of Manhattan, without a doubt, stands as the greatest human concentrate on earth.

It is like a poem whose magic is comprehensible to the millions of permanent residents who call it home.

However, its full meaning will always remain elusive, constantly evolving and revealing new depths with each passing day.

Manhattan is a living, breathing poem that continues to captivate and inspire all who encounter it.

This was such a quick read, yet it is such a profound nugget that I will keep on my bookshelf.

White summarized and put into words so beautifully many of the conclusions that I myself have discovered while living in New York.

He touches on numerous aspects of the city. There's the thrill of being in close proximity to someone influential, the importance of being understanding and nonjudgmental towards everyone you encounter, the possibility of always being a part of something or perhaps not.

He also describes the types of people who live or come to live here, the architecture, and how everything seems to change and yet remain exactly the same.

It is extremely comforting to my soul to know that the nostalgia I feel for old New York has been a shared feeling among decades of New York denizens.

This book serves as a reminder of the unique charm and complexity of the city that never sleeps.

It makes me appreciate the experiences and lessons I've gained during my time here.

I will continue to revisit this book and draw inspiration from its pages.

A must read for any New Yorker, New York visitor, or lover of the NYC.

The dude gets it right, even 50 years later.

E.B. White's "Here is New York" is a remarkable 56-page/7500-word essay about the city that never sleeps.

He commences the essay with the thought-provoking statement: "On any person who desires such queer prizes, New York will bestow the gift of loneliness and the gift of privacy." Here, he delves into the unique aspect of anonymity that NYC offers. One can choose to be a hermit, yet still be surrounded by a vibrant and concentrated center of diverse cultures, activities, events, people, and neighborhoods. This amalgamation gives rise to boundless creative outputs that are characteristic of the city.

Surprisingly, towards the end of the essay, he is extremely prophetic. He speaks about the fragility and vulnerability of the city, and astonishingly, he even mentions attacking planes and crumbling/destroyed buildings. It is truly a strange and almost eerie prescience. Nevertheless, the essay as a whole is outstanding and hits the mark perfectly. It is an absolute must-read for anyone who wishes to truly understand the essence and allure of New York City.

Before he wrote the beloved classic Charlotte’s Web and after penning the charming Stuart Little, E.B White crafted a remarkable 54-page book.

This book delved into his life in the vibrant city of New York.

Written in 1948, it offers a fascinating perspective on New York during that era.

Whether you have visited the city, have never been, plan on going in the future, or simply have a passion for reading about the history of a great metropolis, this book is an absolute must-read.

It provides a unique window into the past, allowing readers to experience the sights, sounds, and atmosphere of New York City as it was back then.

E.B White's vivid descriptions and engaging storytelling bring the city to life on the page, making it a truly captivating read for anyone interested in the history and culture of New York.