AN UNAPOLOGETIC CELEBRATION OF NEW YORK'S UNIQUE DNA, DELIVERED BY MANHATTAN'S AWARD-WINNING STORY TELLER. Among these 36 unforgettable short stories, you will learn how to buy fireworks in the back alleys of Chinatown from Yong Wo, how the author met Mafia boss, John Gotti, enjoying a 2" prime steak at his favorite restaurant before he had his guest whacked. Read about how Rosie, a sassy Puerto Rican waitress, served greasy bologna omelets to two filthy-rich garment salesmen haggling over bolts of fabric and hear Bennett, a retired judge, reminisce about his wife on Pippen Court, a 200-year old patch of Federalist Houses, now surrounded by midtown skyscrapers. These are powerful stories of a Manhattan that is almost gone. If you want to really know New York, you should really read this book. (Contains 37 original illustrations).