North Brother Island: The Last Unknown Place in New York City

This "coffee table" book answered so many questions I had formed when I lived in New York City several years ago and I plan to take the brief tour when I return. Who would have known that so close to the urban rush of the City, there is this paradox from the past! The myriad photos and the poignant story are truly gifts to everyone who has never considered the possibilities of seeing a glimpse of how "we" might have found some of this area a hundred years or more in the past. My ancestors came to Long Island from Halifax in the 1600s and I can now really appreciate the natural beauty they must have seen as they landed on the shore and began to explore their newly chosen homeland. This book is truly a work of wonder - not your everyday reading selection by any means, but a generous gift for the imagination and appreciation of those of us who seek to know and understand our past from the viewpoint of the what we see now! Thank you 7-great grandparents for coming to New York!

I can't say very much about this book.I live in the UK. I bought this book as a present for my Aunt, who lives in NY State. It seemed dumb to buy a book (which was published in the US) here, in England, and then ship it back to the US for a silly amount of money, and probably have it get tied up with US customs at O'Hare or somewhere, and arrive way after Xmas. So I bought it on US Amazon and had it shipped to my Aunt.It arrived in good time for Xmas, and she says she liked it very much. Now you know what I know.

I spent the first 4 years of my life living on North Brother Island. My father was going to NYU law school at the time and he worked part time at the ferry station. I went to a preschool that was available for the children of service people who were going back to school on the GI Bill. Although I live in California, when I return to visit NYC, I always take the Circle Line Tour so I can once again see North Brother Island. The pictures and narrative were wonderful. I only wish there was more information/pictures about the island's brief history as a refuge for our WW !! veterans and their families.

Saw a post about this book on FB and it intrigued me, so I ordered it. So glad I did! The history is like a story and the photographs are incredible! I'd love to visit butt am secretly glad it's off limits. Great book!

GREAT READ. HISTORY OF MY CITIES EAST RIVER ISLANDS. I LIVE ON ROOSEVELT ISLAND AND NORTH BROTHER IS NORTH OF ME WITH AN INCREDIBLE HISTORY.

Love this book. Excellent photos!! Thank you!

Disappointed in the quality of the printing. The book wasn't what I expected based on the sample pages and description.

Really enjoyed the pictures and comments on a small island between the Bronx and Manhattan that has seen varied use over the years. I had first become aware of it while watching a documentary on the General Slocum. While pictures of ruins and natural reclamation are absorbing the book would have been improved by pictures of the people and the spaces during its actual varied uses; for instance as a village for GIs and their families following WWII.

This book is beautiful!

Whether it's the snappier & more heavily photo-shopped Urbex style or the more sober reflections used here I have to admit that I really love the urban decay artwork that has risen to such popular heights since the excellent  The Ruins of Detroit .This latest work see's Christopher Payne producing some really subtle and beautifully understated photography that draws the viewer in closer to search for details and signs of earlier inhabitants.Framing exterior shots in various seasons is a nice touch and Payne has made some effort to avoid the overtly 'arty' approach and overuse of digital manipulation.Unusually it's the exterior shots that work best with New Yorks famous skyline to the West and the Bronx to the north & Rikers Island with its famous prison to the East.The excellent photography is given nearly 100 full page spreads in vibrant full colour on good quality glossy paper.What really helps lift this work into something more than merely a photographers vanity project is a superb history over 29 pages. Crammed with details and stories along with many early historical references & photographs. This forward section is a superb read all on it's own and when coupled with the stand alone photographs makes this both an excellent read and art book.The landscape format is perfect, the printing is of good quality, from the attractive sturdy jacket, the gilt lettering on red boards and excellent paper quality to the layout all point to a well thought out and professionally executed project.This book is worth every penny and whether you were considering a purchase either for yourself or as a present I cannot recommend this too highly. The Ruins of Detroit

Having lived in NYC while being in the Coast Guard I'm fascinated by the numerous little known islands in the area and their history. This is a wonderful book on North Brother Island with beautiful photographs that bring the island to life. My only complaint is that there are around 3 authors who have written essays on the island, they should have agreed on as to who would cover what because they all seem to write about the same thing. Still, if you've bought this book, you've done so for the photos.