The Brooklyn Nobody Knows: An Urban Walking Guide

I was born and raised in Brooklyn and have lived here all of my 74 years. In that time I have traveled around Brooklyn extensively, in cars, public transportation, and on foot, and thought I knew just about everything there is to know about the borough. But I did not travel in a systematic way, covering every single block in every single neighborhood in a short time, visiting establishments, and striking up conversations with residents, as Professor Helmreich did. And of course Brooklyn is always changing. So, although there was much in his book with which I was familiar, there was also a great deal I did not know about, and learned from his fascinating work. It's not called "The Brooklyn Nobody Knows" for nothing. Prof. Helmreich discusses a bit of the history and describes and captures the flavor and feel of the diverse neighborhoods, their natural features, their houses and stores and businesses, including architectural styles, their recreational facilities, and their ethnic and religious makeup, and introduces us to some very interesting persons. But Helmreich concentrates throughout on unique, unusual, and lesser-known facts and features of Brooklyn. Though Helmreich is a professor, his writing is not dry. The book is a relatively quick and easy read, conversational in tone, and quite enjoyable. Nevertheless, as one might expect, the book is also peppered with many scholarly insights about issues facing Brooklyn, as well as other urban areas of our nation.

"The Brooklyn Nobody Knows" by William B. Helmreich is the first of five planned books - one for each borough of New York City. Mr. Helmreich is Distinguished Professor of Sociology at City College of New York, and he brings a sociologist's set of lenses to his examination of the disparate neighborhoods of Brooklyn. The result of his research and writing is a treasure trove of information and insights!He has walked all of the blocks of all five boroughs of NYC, and has made note of features that most visitors to New York would not normally be aware of. This hefty volume is a godsend to anyone who aspires to delve deeply into the hidden treasures of Brooklyn. For each of the 44 discrete Brooklyn neighborhoods, he follows a similar pattern. After describing the widely agreed upon boundaries of the neighborhood, he offers up a history of the ethnic and socio-economic and religious groups that have called this neighborhood home over the changing decades and generations. He often comments upon the pluses and minuses of the process of gentrification that is creeping across the Brooklyn landscape block by blockI am eager to continue sharing what I have learned about Brooklyn with my many friends who inhabit Brooklyn and call one of its neighborhoods their home turf. This book holds equal value and delight for those who feel they already know this borough well, as well as those beginning their exploration of its wonders and idiosyncrasies.If you love learning a city by walking it, this volume will be an invaluable guide and companion.

I found this book (I bought a used copy) when I was looking for something else similar, and decided to get it. I opened the box tonight and started reading about some of the neighbors I left behind in 1972. A lot has changed, but some things are still the same. The book was from 2016, so not totally up to date, but I imagine some of the neighborhoods are still pretty much the way they are described. I already have recommended the book to two friends who I grew up with in Brooklyn. They are now living in Florida, and I’m in Oregon! But we’re still Brooklyn girls at heart.PS. Book got here really fast and is in very good condition, as described. Thank You, Seller!!

Book arrived in great shape (though one end of package was completely torn open), exactly as promised and on time.

I have read "The New York Nobody Knows: Walking 6000 Miles In The City of New York," by William B Helmreich, and I found this to be a Great Book to give us a perspective of caring about people and what they give back to life in so many ways. Now, William comes back to us with another of what I think of as a best seller, as he highlights many other aspects of people and their lives, within the communities in which they live, in his book "The Brooklyn Nobody Knows." This book is a great travel guide because it not only gives clear direction, provides entertainment info, as well as continuing to show us how the melting pot of people in this conjested City of New York can live together amiably. I LOVE THE HEART OF THIS AUTHOR FOR PEOPLE.Jacob Bergen

Learning details about my hometown has been so meaningful. Especially since my dad go sick and sadly died the other day.Doing genealogy learned my family history began in the area before Brooklyn got its current name and land.This book, historical maps dating back to the 1700’s have given me a glimpse into what life was like for my great great great great great grandparents and all family since.I’ve learned so much since studying history while doing genealogy. From the high schools history to the topography of what life looked like then.Fun fact: my grandma was the first baby carried across the Brooklyn bridge legend says.⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Highly recommend if you wanna have an intimate knowledge and relationship about Brooklyn

This is a wonderful and comprehensive book about Brooklyn. If you don't know the borough this is the perfect way to learn about it. The author covers every single neighborhood in Brooklyn, all 44 of them, in a unique and highly entertaining way. Based on an 800 mile walk through its streets and hundreds of fascinating conversations with its residents he tells us about the unknown aspects----the Bergen Beach man who put up 1,140 stuffed toys in his cherry tree; the Caribbean-born hornsmith who carves birds, ships, and other items from animal horns; the nature walk in Greenpoint lined with trees whose products are used in industry; the stunning church in Carroll Gardens where Al Capone was married; I simply couldn't put it down!

This book is fabulous.... can’t wait to get into reading!!!

Excellent stuff - as a foreigner this is an invaluable work