Pythia S Oasis

AIA Guide to New York City

Hailed as "extraordinarily learned" (New York Times), "blithe in spirit and unerring in vision," (New York Magazine), and the "definitive record of New York's architectural heritage" (Municipal Art Society), Norval White and Elliot Willensky's book is an essential reference for everyone with an interest in architecture and those who simply want to know more about New York City. First published in 1968, the AIA Guide to New York City has long been the definitive guide to the city's architecture. Moving through all five boroughs, neighborhood by neighborhood, it offers the most complete overview of New York's significant places, past and present. The Fifth Edition continues to include places of historical importance--including extensive coverage of the World Trade Center site--while also taking full account of the construction boom of the past 10 years, a boom that has given rise to an unprecedented number of new buildings by such architects as Frank Gehry, Norman Foster, and Renzo Piano. All of the buildings included in the Fourth Edition have been revisited and re-photographed and much of the commentary has been re-written, and coverage of the outer boroughs--particularly Brooklyn--has been expanded. Famed skyscrapers and historic landmarks are detailed, but so, too, are firehouses, parks, churches, parking garages, monuments, and bridges. Boasting more than 3000 new photographs, 100 enhanced maps, and thousands of short and spirited entries, the guide is arranged geographically by borough, with each borough divided into sectors and then into neighborhood. Extensive commentaries describe the character of the divisions. Knowledgeable, playful, and beautifully illustrated, here is the ultimate guided tour of New York's architectural treasures. Acclaim for earlier editions of the AIA Guide to New York City: "An extraordinarily learned, personable exegesis of our metropolis. No other American or, for that matter, world city can boast so definitive a one-volume guide to its built environment." -- Philip Lopate, New York Times "Blithe in spirit and unerring in vision." -- New York Magazine "A definitive record of New York's architectural heritage... witty and helpful pocketful which serves as arbiter of architects, Baedeker for boulevardiers, catalog for the curious, primer for preservationists, and sourcebook to students. For all who seek to know of New York, it is here. No home should be without a copy." -- Municipal Art Society "There are two reasons the guide has entered the pantheon of New York books. One is its encyclopedic nature, and the other is its inimitable style--'smart, vivid, funny and opinionated' as the architectural historian Christopher Gray once summed it up in pithy W & W fashion." -- Constance Rosenblum, New York Times "A book for architectural gourmands and gastronomic gourmets." -- The Village Voice

Salt in Their Veins

"Salt in Their Veins: The Defiant Women Who Ruled the High Seas" unveils the extraordinary lives of women mariners who shattered gender biases and claimed their rightful place on the world's oceans. From legendary pirates who defied societal norms to trailblazing naval commanders who led with unparalleled courage and tactical brilliance, this meticulously researched volume explores the captivating biographies of women who navigated both treacherous waters and deeply ingrained prejudices throughout maritime history. The pages of this groundbreaking book illuminate stories long obscured by time and bias—tales of remarkable women whose names deserve to stand alongside the most celebrated male seafarers. Delve into the remarkable story of Jeanne de Clisson, the 14th-century "Lioness of Brittany," who transformed from noblewoman to feared pirate commander after her husband's execution, wreaking havoc on French shipping for thirteen years with her distinctive black fleet. Follow the journey of Grace O'Malley, the formidable 16th-century Irish pirate queen who commanded a fleet of ships and hundreds of men, negotiating directly with Queen Elizabeth I when her son was captured. Discover how 18th-century pirates Anne Bonny and Mary Read escaped societal constraints through seafaring careers that led them to become two of history's most notorious female buccaneers. The narrative extends beyond piracy to celebrate women who achieved incredible feats of endurance and skill, including the pioneering circumnavigators who challenged conventional wisdom about women's capabilities at sea. Meet Jeanne Baret, who in the 1760s became the first woman to circumnavigate the globe, though she had to disguise herself as a man to secure a position as assistant to the expedition's naturalist. Contemplate the sheer determination of Kay Cottee, who in 1988 became the first woman to sail solo, non-stop and unassisted around the world, enduring 189 days of isolation and extreme conditions. "Salt in Their Veins" also honours modern pioneers: women like Commander Sarah West, appointed in 2012 as the first female commander of a major Royal Navy warship; Captain Wendy Lawrence, one of NASA's first female shuttle commanders who began her career as a naval aviator; and Dr. Sylvia Earle, the legendary oceanographer whose deep-sea explorations have expanded our understanding of the world's oceans. These women's accomplishments are all the more remarkable when viewed against the backdrop of maritime superstition and opposition they faced. For centuries, women were considered bad luck aboard ships—believed to anger the sea itself—yet these determined individuals found ways to circumvent these prejudices through disguise, exceptional competence, or sheer force of will. The book examines how these pioneers navigated not only harsh oceanic conditions but also legal barriers designed specifically to exclude them from maritime professions. Through engaging storytelling and comprehensive historical context, this book celebrates the unwavering spirit of women who broke barriers on every ocean and in every maritime profession, demonstrating conclusively that the call of the sea knows no gender. Their courage to lead—whether commanding powerful warships, undertaking solo global journeys by sail or oar, or pioneering deep-ocean exploration—reminds us that determination, skill, and passion can overcome even the most entrenched societal limitations. By bringing these remarkable stories to light, "Salt in Their Veins" not only honours forgotten maritime heroines but also inspires future generations of women to pursue their own oceanic adventures and careers, confident in the knowledge that they stand on the shoulders of extraordinary female mariners whose saltwater legacy flows through maritime history like a powerful, unstoppable current.

Pythian Sketches