<p>Who could have dreamed, when Peter Minuit traded a few trinkets for Manhattan back in 1626, that this little island on the outer reaches of civilization would one day be the world's center of shipping, finance, theater, culture, architecture, and diplomacy? Through the tireless work and unbounded optimism of a few wealthy dreamers and a few million immigrant workers, this rocky, swampy islet at the mouth of the Hudson River was transformed into today's axis of world capitalism鈥攁 dazzling metropolis of soaring skyscrapers and great city parks, magnificent museums and professional sports teams, epicurean restaurants and intricate subway systems.<br />

Eminent photographer Carol M. Highsmith has captured the essence of Manhattan in a stunning new collection of over one hundred city portraits, ranging from breathtaking panoramas of the celebrated skyline to close-ups of architectural details. Her camera sweeps across the city, pausing at the magnificent stainless-steel Art Deco Chrysler Building and the Empire State Building, eclectic neighborhoods including Chinatown and Little Italy, the bohemian Greenwich Village, and trendy Soho. She also stops at some of New York's most revered cultural institutions like Carnegie Hall and the Metropolitan Museum of Art.<br />

<em>Manhattan: A Photographic Tour </em>captures the heart of New York City in all its cocky vigor, beauty, and trendsetting sophistication. It is the perfect souvenir of a memorable visit, and the ideal gift for anyone who savors unforgettable architecture, unsurpassed culture, and fascinating diversity.</p>