[.ca] Life at the Dakota: New York's Most Unusual Address (ISBN 081560338X)

More than "John Lennon's apartment building":
A wonderfully entertaining book that chronicles the history of one of New York City's most colorful residences. The early chapters are particularly enjoyable, with tongue-in-cheek descriptions of the (often ludicrous) rituals of high society during the Gilded Age. The last quarter of the book is not as interesting, with sometimes overlong discussion of the building's modern-day residents. As a whole, however, "Life at the Dakota" is a vibrant and ingratiating portrait: not just for history buffs and not just for New Yorkers.

Life at the Dakota:
Stephen Birmingham's insightful look at one of New York City's most memorable addresses will be an enjoyment to all who find great interest in the details in the history of this wonderful city. The book studies the story of this well-known landmark from the very beginning; by understanding the background of key figures like Edward Clark (founder of the Singer Co.) and architect Henry Janeway Hardenbergh (designer of the old Waldorf-Astoria and The Plaza Hotel). In an era where 'polished society' observed presentation and 'location' as signs of refiness, the Dakota was one of the first experiments in 'modern' urban living in the United States. Wealthy upper class New Yorkers were presented with a new and less costly option in 'elegant' living to the grand homes rising in late 1800s Fifth Avenue. Although initially frowned upon by the 'Old Guard' of New York society, the Dakota instantly found it's market and was one of the pioneers in this now 'acceptable' style of living. Throughout the years the Dakota apartments has found a vast array of 'celebrity tenants'. Individuals who have always been out of the 'mainstream' and have put little thought on which side of Central Park they resided. Boris Karloff, Zachary Scott, Leonard Bernstein, Lauren Bacall, Roberta Flack, John Lennon and Yoko Ono have been a few of the tenants that have called this historically rich building their home. Stephen Birmingham chronicles the first hundred years of 'One 72nd Street West', capturing along the way the growth and changing trends of this vast Metropolis. Readers will also discover that by the end of this witty and insightful book the building itself gains a feisty personality of its own; by being the one that dared being 'too far up' and on the wrong side of town.