this guide provides such an incredible abundance of knowledge on the fascinatingly diverse ecosystem of new york city today.

mandelbaum covers an impressive amount of information from the abrupt changing of the land from colonization and industrialization, to an array of plants, bugs, birds, and animals, to short guided "trips" to take in various boroughs to best experience firsthand the wilderness of new york today. he often refers to native names for various species as well as providing their uses for the original resident native groups.

i would have never guessed just how diverse and thriving (though also threatened) nature of new york is, even having previously lived there, and have an even greater appreciation for it.

i highly rec this for general hobby environmentalists, nature lovers, nyc-bound travelers, and even current nyc locals would all benefit greatly from reading this!

an honest arc review ♡

What a stunning labor of love from Ryan Mandlebaum. Like New York itself, there is so much to explore in this gorgeous, informative, chatty exploration of the intersection of the wild and the urban in the City. As a native New Yorker I was excited to learn more, pleased to have some beliefs confirmed, and educated by lots of new facts. Although written in a very casual voice, the authors hard learned expertise shines through. Not likely to be read in one go, this is a great reference for a lifetime.

Thanks for the free ARC in exchange for an honest review.

thank you to netgalley, author -randal mandlebaum, and timber press for this e pub ARC. this was a delight of a read. while i was reading i imagined it as a beautiful and informational coffee table book. it’s full of information and photos on fauna and flora of new york.
when discussing the nature of the city, it had me rethinking how i view the plants and animals around me.

I *love* this book
Its gorgeous, I can only imagine what it'll look like as a beautiful coffee table book!
It's well researched and organized

A wonderfully illustrated, informative, and engaging book that dives into NYCs history and the wildlife in one of the most urban areas in the world. I feel like this book would be perfect for anyone who is interested in urban history/wildlife - but particularly for middle/high school kids as a way to get them engaged in science and nature more.