Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, is probably one of the most famous actors of the moment right now, and it is mostly due to the popularity of his portrayal on the epic tv show, Game of Thrones. His turn as Jaime Lannister, is probably one of the most nuanced and complicated characters that has ever been on television.  This was not the first time he has been on television, he first appeared back in 2008, on a little-known show on FOX called New Amsterdam. He played an immortal by the name of John Amsterdam, who has lived in New York since it was a Dutch colony.

The show only lasted eight episodes and was a bit formulaic, but overall enjoyable but it talked to me differently than most viewers. I saw it as a love letter to the city, and how far it has come. The world has often seen New York City as a “mecca”, but it is like most cities, more than one thing. This is something that Julia Wertz wonderfully conveys in Tenements, Towers & Trash: An Unconventional Illustrated History of New York City.

She lets the reader know that there are three different New York City(s), one is where inhabitant grew up there and takes it for granted, the second, one of the commuter and the last, one of the transplant. Wertz carefully gives the reader a deep dive not only into the city’s famous sites but also of the New Yorkers, who have made a difference in the world. There are more than handful of places I remember seeing growing up and miss to this day, and so does Wertz, as illustrations show her love for them. By books end, being a born and bred New Yorker, I thought I knew everything there I to know, I read this book.

Overall, a searing heartfelt and gorgeously illustrated book which gives reader both an enjoyable and anthropological view of the city. The stories told by Julia Wertz are more than torch songs to these forgotten pioneers, it shows pride in the city and those who come from it. The art by Wertz is awe-inspiring. Altogether, an excellent book, that will let readers wanting to know more about, as they say in the musical, Hamilton, “the greatest city in the world”.

Story: Julia Wertz Art: Julia Wertz
Story:10 Art:10 Overall:10 Recommendation: Buy