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New York City: Books

This libguide is a supplemental resource for the introductory writing course HCD/HCI-1020 Writing and Thinking : New York City

Ebooks

Try browsing in the database Ebook Central Academic Complete for 24/7 access to ebooks about New York. Just sign in with your SVA credentials. Some examples of what you might find are below:

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Biography

Robert Moses by Pierre Christin (2014)

A biography of Robert Moses (1888-1981) the controversial urban planner known to be one of the most powerful individuals in New York City of the early to mid 20th century. 

James Baldwin by David Adams Leeming (1994)

This biography of the great African American novelist/essayist was written by a personal friend.

Confessions of an Art Addict by Peggy Guggenheim (1997)

A patron of art since the 1930s, Peggy Guggenheim, in a candid self-portrait, provides an insider's view of the early days of modern art, with revealing accounts of her eccentric wealthy family, her personal and professional relationships, and often surprising portrayals of the artists themselves.

Poetry & Literature

Poetry in New York has a vast and unique history (as well as present and future). Discover the many winding roots and branches of its legacy with our rich collection. Some ideas of where to start are below:

Photography

Helluva Town by Vivian Cherry (2007)

Vivian Cherry charts the end of World War II New York City with lively vignettes full of compassion and gritty street scenes exuding social consciousness.

Jamel Shabazz: Sights in the City (2017)

Sights in the City is Jamel Shabazz's visual journey, containing 120 color and black-and-white photographs, most of which have never been published. 

Helen Levitt: New York 1939 by Shamoon Zamir (2021)

Helen Levitt's photographs from the 1930s and 1940s of the communities of New York City's Harlem.

New York State of Mind by Martha Cooper (2007)

A documentary of New York City in 1975 when it was bankrupt, crime was at an all-time high, street muggings were commonplace, buildings were crumbling, entire neighborhoods were abandoned by landlords as residents fled to the suburbs and the government could care less. 

Art Monographs

The visual culture of New York is awe-inducing: from the large and sweeping, to the easily overlooked, the city insists on our attention. The following are some examples of the many visually compelling art books documenting and exploring NYC that you can find on the shelves in the library:

History of New York

Anthologies

The Nuyorasian Anthology by Bino A. Realuyo (1989)

Maps Asian American life in New York City, including works by more than sixty established & emerging writers.

Writing New York (2000)

Presents a literary portrait of the city of New York through the eyes of more than a hundred writers, from Washington Irving to Oscar Hijuelos.