Product Description
Since the first subway opened in 1904, the New York Subwa system and its trains have provided millions of New Yorkers with cheap, fast, and remarkably reliable transportation. The New York subway system lacks the electronic complexity of such modern operations as the Washington, D.C. Metro or San Francisco's BART, and New Yorkers have few qualms in admitting that theirs is not the world's most beautiful subway. But as it is in no other city on earth, the subway of New York is intimately woven into the fabric and identity of the city itself.

Transportation expert Brian Cudahy recounts the history of the New York subway systems in a book that is full of detail, historical anecdote, and the wonders of twentieth - century technology. Tracing the system from it first short IRT look to the extensive network of today, with information about such fascinating sidelights as the city's traim systems and the PATH trains linking New York and New Jersey, he has produced a complete, thoroughly researched and annotated, and fully illustrated history that will delight subway buffs, students of urban affairs, and all those who love the city of New York. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

Great subject, poor writing
I want to know the history of the subway system in New York. It has always fascinated me from an engineering and histroical standpoint and as a frequent rider (mostly on the Green Lexington 4 Line, between Wall Street, Grand Central and Yanqui Stadium) I am a great fan.

But try as I might, I could not finish this book. Turgid, it is. What a waste of a beautiful subject!

Informative and authoratitive
I recently bought two books on the NY Subway to help me gain a greater understanding of how the system works. The other book ("The Subway : A Trip Through Time on New York's Rapid Transit" by Stan Fischler) was far more anecdotal in nature, and for me the lesser of the two books.

This book, however, was very informative and gave a comprehensive history of the Subway system, and seemed to be much easier to read (I got through it over a rainy weekend!). The pictures, while being in black and white, were of a good standard and crystal clear.

A most enjoyable book, and I would recommend it highly.

Why can't we have THAT subway system in MY city?
This book contains loads of captivating info on that giant web that is the NY subway.Brian Cudahy seems to have a thorough knowledge of transit affairs, and of NY (he grew up in Brooklyn).This is not his first book on the subject, and he treats it with a personal touch that makes it verycaptivating to anybody, not just New Yorkers.This book is a treasure oflittle-known facts, peculiarities and anecdotes.I had a lot of funreading it along with a map of today's network, to see how it evolved (andsometimes "devolved").Very lively, with some classic NYpolitics, some catastrophies (including the departure of the Dodgers), anddescriptions of how the subway helped make NY what it is today.Under theSidewalks of NY made me go to bed late the way The Godfather did!I wouldrecommend this book not only to every New Yorker, but also to anybodyinterested in NY and/or urban transit.

The best subway book I've ever read
An excelent resource on the building and infastructure of the New York City subway System.It also includes some great pictures. ... Read more