New York Then and Now

by Marcia Reiss

Published 25 April 2006
In just the few years since the first edition of New York Then and Now, the city has undergone important changes. The most dramatic was the terrorist attack on the World Trade Center. Since the loss of the twin towers, the island of Manhattan has continued to transform itself, with the renewal of entire neighborhoods, from industrial complexes to residential centers. This newly updated edition highlights the development of the New York's lavish hotels, palatial department stores, skyscrapers, and condominiums, featuring historic photographs side-by-side with images of the modern cityscape.

Brooklyn Then & Now

by Marcia Reiss

Published 13 May 2002
Celebrating America's favorite cityscapes, this series combines historic interest and contemporary beauty. Then and Now features fascinating archival photographs contrasted with specially commissioned, full-color images of the same scene today. A visual lesson in the historic changes of our greatest urban landscapes.

Though always iconic, New York City's famous skyline has changed dramatically over the years. Once no taller than downtown's Trinity Church, it became a mountain range of magnificent skyscrapers by the first half of the twentieth century. In 2001, the tragic fall of the Twin Towers left a void in the city's skyline. Today, the majestic Flatiron, Chrysler, and Empire State Buildings still make New York one of the most recognizable and exciting metropolises in the world.

From the Statue of Liberty to Central Park, from Rockefeller Center to the South Street Seaport, the past and present photos in this compact edition of New York Then and Now offer a geographic and historic tour of the city's most spectacular sights. Covering Wall Street, Greenwich Village, Times Square, and neighborhoods throughout Manhattan, this completely revised and updated, compact edition offers fascinating stories about the buildings that have come and gone, and sites that have been remarkably transformed or thankfully preserved.

Central Park

by Marcia Reiss

Published 27 April 2010
Arguably one of the best-known and most-visited urban parks in the world, Central Park was originally created to provide an open space for Manhattan's booming population to escape the noise and pollution of the busy city. Today, you'll still find New Yorkers (and millions of tourists!) languishing on the Park's lush lawns, jogging along its paths, skating on Wollman Pond, or riding the historic carousel. Visit this amazing park and its remarkable history in Central Park Then and Now. Officially completed in 1873, Central Park is filled with man-made lakes, ponds, winding paths, pavilions, and attractive buildings. As the photographs show, many structures--including an old elevated railway--were removed to make room for the new park. Compare the old Central Park Menagerie to the modern Central Park Zoo. In its early days, the park received many exotic animals as gifts, expanding the Menagerie. A zoo building was designed to house the animals in 1934. Come rub Balto's nose! This hero sled dog has achieved a polished gold appearance as generations of children have come to rub his nose for luck.