BOOKS ABOUT NEW YORK
Print books make fantastic gifts. They don't wither or droop, go stale or out of fashion, affect your weight or your cholesterol, or get lost in the Internet. They just lie there, marvels of patience, waiting to be read. And if their content annoys you, you can hurl them across the room.
The following books are available. Nonfiction titles are listed first, then fiction, with a brief description and reviews. The most recent books appear at the start.
NONFICTION
3. New Yorkers: A Feisty People Who Will Unsettle, Madden, Amuse and Astonish You
Finalist in the 14th National Indie Excellence Awards, 2020, Regional Nonfiction: Northeast.
Listed among the Best Independent Books in the September 3 and 10, 2020, issues of the LibraryBub newsletter, and included in a LibraryBub press release picked up by NBC and CBS.
A quirky memoir by a longtime resident who loves his crazy but profoundly creative city, with glances at that city’s fascinating history, and weird facts to surprise visitors and residents alike.
A fun book, with a few grim moments.
For those who love (or hate) New York, have lived there or would like to, or are just plain curious about the city and its residents, past and present.
Reviews
Tourists and those new to the city will most appreciate this light, entertaining look at the Big Apple. -- Publishers Weekly.
New York is the most exciting city in the world. It's unique and reading "New Yorkers" is the next best thing to actually living there! -- Midwest Book Review.
This immersive exploration of the city and its denizens etches a vivid portrait of “what it is to be a New Yorker ... our past and present glories and horrors.” — Kirkus Reviews.
Thousands of books have been written about New York City, but this one stands out. -- Blue Ink Review.
2. Fascinating New Yorkers: Power Freaks, Mobsters, Liberated Women, Creators, Queers and Crazies
Finalist in the 2019 International Book Awards, Biography.
Biographical sketches of colorful people who lived or died in New York. Included are a prostitute’s daughter who got to know two ex-kings and a future emperor; a naughty archbishop; and a serial killer who terrorized the city.
A good read for anyone who wants to know more about the hustlers, manipulators, artists, celebrities, and crooks that have frequented The City That Never Sleeps. You may be shocked or angered, but you won’t be bored.
See also my post #353, "Fascinating New Yorkers: Why and How I Wrote It."
Reviews
Readers will enjoy Clifford Browder’s lively, descriptive writing. Fans of non-fiction and more recent history will really appreciate the research that he put into these pages. — Editorial review for Reader Views by Paige Lovitt.
There’s something for everyone here in this collection of profiles, and it serves as a source of inspiration for readers who love NYC. — Editorial review for U.S. Review of Books by Gabriella Tutino.
I couldn't put this down and read it in one sitting! — Five-star editorial review for NetGalley by Cristie Underwood.
1. No Place for Normal: New York / Stories from the Most Exciting City in the World (Not available from the author now; sold out. Available otherwise, as stated below.)
Winner for regional nonfiction in the Tenth Annual National Indie Excellence Awards, 2016.
First place for Travel in the Reader Views Literary Awards for 2015-2016.
Finalist in the Eric Hoffer Book Awards for 2016.
Memoir, history, and travel book all rolled into one. Its stories include alcoholics, abortionists, and grave robbers; the Gay Pride parade; peyote visions; and the author’s mugging in Central Park.
If you love (or hate) New York — its people, its doings, its craziness — this is the book for you.
Reviews
I thoroughly enjoyed No Place for Normal: New York by Clifford Browder and highly recommend it to all fans of entertaining short stories and lovers of New York City. — Editorial review for Reader Views Literary Awards by Sheri Hoyte.
To read No Place for Normal: New York is to enter into Cliff Browder’s rich and engaging sixty years of adult life in New
York. — Five-star reader review for Amazon by Michael P. Hartnett.
If you want wonderful inside tales about New York, this is the book for you. A refreshing view on NYC that will not disappoint. — Five-star reader review for Amazon by Bill L.
cliffbrowder@verizon.net
FICTION
5. Forbidden Brownstones
The fifth title in the Metropolis series of historical novels set in nineteenth-century New York.
A young black man's obsession with brownstones, where the white gentry live, and his dream of living in one and even possessing it, a yearning inciting thoughts of arson and murder.
For anyone who wants to be immersed in another age and experience its dramatic events, scandals, and prejudices.
Reviews
If you love historical fiction, as I do, and the opportunity to learn more about a different time period, different social mores, and the struggle for acceptance when you are different, you will absolutely adore this story. I learned so much reading this and enjoyed the plot and its characters immensely. I can highly recommend this read. -- Five-star editorial review for Readers' Favorite by Grant Leishman.
Overall, with Forbidden Brownstones, author Clifford Browder delivers an articulately, authentic and entertaining culmination of history and fiction ingeniously traversing a time in New York’s history within which, unfortunately, prejudice for black people abounded on many levels, even from Irish immigrants. I thoroughly enjoyed this adult-themed read; the story flowed easily, while the narrative provided as much food for thought, as it did historical tidbits. Additionally, as a character-driven story, I found myself engrossed from the story’s outset, as the interesting characters both historical and fictional, especially that of Junius were brought into focus. I heartily recommend this book as well as the others in the series they are all well worth the read. -- Editorial review for Reedsy Discovery by Lisa Brown-Gilbert.
The development of the characters and the settings are expertly done, reeling in and hooking the reader without a hint of contrivance. It simply happens. The story throws us back into an era of highs and lows; beauty and excesses alongside prejudice, riots, and depression. I was charmed by Junius as a first-person character. His dreams, his strength of character and integrity, his weaknesses and the clarity to recognize them; all this and more gives you a story that kept me turning the pages. A highly recommended read!
Sublime Line: “Forbidden Brownstones is an addictive novel that will charm, entertain, and mesmerize you; five stars for this wonderful, compelling read.” -- Five-star editorial review for Sublime Book Review.
No matter what journey you’re looking to undertake, this author provides love, drama, mystery, action, death, prejudice, and unforgettable emotion. — Editorial review for Reader Views by Amy Lignor.
Forbidden Brownstones, a historical fiction novel by Clifford Browder, is a must-read. And if I had anything to say about it, a miniseries or movie would do it justice. This is the first time I have given a book a five…. I could feel the movement, the jazz of the black culture where characters swayed with the rhythm of life after years of slavery facing adversity no white person in the book could ever understand or even thought to ask. — Five-star editorial review for Reedsy Discovery by Karina Holosko.
Not only is the story unique, but the writing is superb. Browder's work flows, and the story is well organized. The vocabulary is impressive. -- Editorial review for the US Review of Books by Toby Berry.
4. The Eye That Never Sleeps
The fourth title in the Metropolis series of historical novels set in nineteenth-century New York.
The strange friendship of a private detective and the bank robber he has been hired to apprehend, climaxed by a violent confrontation in the dark midnight vaults of a bank.
For readers who like well-researched historical fiction, and who love a fast-paced detective story set in turbulent nineteenth-century New York.
Reviews
A classically told detective novel that creates a web of intrigue, while giving the reader a tour of a bygone era of America through the filter of New York City. – Editorial review by Sublime Book Review.
The Eye That Never Sleeps is a great midnight mystery to enjoy and I highly recommended it to all crime and mystery-loving fans. – Four-star editorial review for Readers’ Favorite by Tiffany Ferrell.
Enter the seamier haunts of mid-nineteenth century NYC. One man is married, honorable. The other is an adept planner of felonies, and sneakily vindictive. Follow them around for a while and you decide which one bests the other in a dangerous game. — Five-star editorial review for NetGalley by Jan Tangen.
3. Dark Knowledge
The third title in the Metropolis series of historical novels set in nineteenth-century New York.
Determined to discover if anyone in his family was involved in the pre-Civil War slave trade, young Chris Harmony meets denials and evasions, then threats, and a key witness is murdered. What price must Chris pay to learn the painful truth and proclaim it?
For lovers of historical fiction who like a fast-paced mystery combined with a coming-of-age story.
Reviews
Clifford Browder definitely managed to recreate the vibe and feel of that era. This is a great read! — Five-star editorial review for Readers’ Favorite by Gisela Dixon.
Thoroughly enjoyed this historical book! I recommend to read! Facts accurate! — Five-star reader review for Goodreads by LisaMarie.
Overall this novel is worth reading and I highly recommend it. — Five-star reader review for Barnes & Noble by ladynicolai.
2. Bill Hope: His Story
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The second title in the Metropolis series of historical novels set in nineteenth-century New York.
Young Bill Hope spills out in a torrent of words the story of his career as a street kid turned pickpocket, including his brutal treatment at Sing Sing and his escape from another prison in a coffin. In the end he faces betrayal and death threats, and possible involvement in a murder.
For readers who want to share the adventures of a likable street kid who fights his way out of crime and squalor to achieve something that he hopes will be better.
Reviews
A real yarn of a story about a lovable pickpocket who gets into trouble and has a great adventure. A must read. — Five-star reader review for Amazon by Nicole W. Brown.
Despite the story is told in a sort of flash language it's an easy read — and very enjoyable! — Four-star review for LibraryThing Early Reviewers by viennamax.
An easy read about a hard life. Interesting characters, a bustling city, poverty, privilege, crime, injustice combine to create a captivating tale. — Five-star reader review for Goodreads by John.
1. The Pleasuring of Men
The first title in the Metropolis series of historical novels set in nineteenth-century New York.
Tom Vaughan, a respectably raised young man, chooses to become a male prostitute, then falls in love with his most difficult client. Through a series of encounters he matures, till an unexpected act of violence provokes a final resolution. Gay romance, historical.
For anyone interested in the imagined gay underworld of late 1860s New York. For an imaginary interview with Tom and other characters, see post #320 in my blog: “Interview: A Male Prostitute and His Clients.”
Reviews
The novel is deftly drawn with rich descriptions, a rhythmic balance of action, dialogue, and exposition, and a nicely understated plot. — Editorial review for Barnes & Noble by Sean Moran.
The detail Browder brings to this glimpse into history is only equaled by his writing of credible and interesting characters. Highly recommended. — Five-star reader review for Goodreads by Nan Hawthorne.
Altogether this is a tale encompassing both sophisticated wit and humour, and yet the subject matter is the grotty underbelly of society as enacted by its leading citizens. It is absolutely delightful. Five Bees. — Gerry Burnie's Reviews.
Clifford Browder
Author of historical novels and nonfiction relating to New York City.
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