Fine, though I'd done it before and then forgot it again. But this time, the next day, I stumbled upon this book in a discarded bin of a library.
A blessing, or, as the author would put it, a karma. There are street numbers and turns on every page and I - based on my newly acquired google map knowled First, it's an adorable read. There are street numbers and turns on every page and I - based on my newly acquired google map knowledge - could actually follow his routes and visualize them perfectly, without ever having been in NYC.
Such a wholesome learning experience. Sep 16, Lynnett rated it really liked it. Let me tell you a story. It is a bit upscale but affordable with a casual dress code. During the afternoon on my Hubby's day off and my kid was in school when I was a stay at home mom we would visit this lovely place, sit at the bar and order food and drinks.
Every weekday till 4pm there was the same bartender. She is amazing. She can remember everyone's name, favorite drink order, favorite food, mug number, routine and Let me tell you a story.
She can remember everyone's name, favorite drink order, favorite food, mug number, routine and just about anything else you proffered. She is fast, efficient and everyone's friend. Now I know from some of the conversations she has had with me that she is intelligent and later found out that she has four college degrees. But this is the profession she chooses. Then there is the other side to her. She loves to party hard , lives in an apartment with her aging boyfriend though she is a boomer herself and never takes herself to seriously.
But I did not even mention the best thing about her. She is an artist of the liquid variety. Whenever I go in there, she simply asks "what are you in the mood for today" and I will answer with a simple one word answer.
Usually something like Fruity, Fun, Summery or sweet but not too sweet. Once I even said "I want to taste the alcohol. I have yet to turn away one of her concoctions. Now you are probably wondering why I am telling the story of a complex bartender when I need to review a book about a cab driver. Because they are the same. Eugene Saloman is a complex man. There were times in the beginning that I thought he was a bit creepy.
But as the book went on, I realized he is a complex man. I liked him. His stories are fun. He would probably appreciate that I felt like I was on not just a tour of New York City but time travelling it as well.
With each new date I sat trying to think of what I was doing as this was happen to him. I am a city girl not living in a city and hating that fact, but I do it for my family. Thanks to Eugene, I was able to take a ride in a city I love living his experiences as though they were my own.
He is witty and the book is well written. I say that all can find something to take away from these tales, be it that you are glad that you live where you do, that you wished you lived there, glad to go along for the ride or even revisit old stomping grounds.
I also believe that we can all learn a bit of tolerance and understanding in the melting pot that is New York. Great Job Eugene and thank you for the ride! Dec 22, Carianne Carleo-Evangelist rated it really liked it Shelves: nyc , memoirs , new-york-city , transportation. Two very different subjects but the right level of reading depth I was in the mood for this weekend. At the gym, no less. I hoped his photo blog would have one of the infamous llama, alas no such luck.
It was a very good and quick read and I loved that Salomon put a date in each story to set the context for his story. As an aside, I got this at the wonderful Tenement Museum Shop-great place to direct deposit your wallet when looking for your next good read. Jun 22, Yee rated it it was ok Shelves: autobiography-biography-memoir , library-loan.
I felt this book was interesting at the beginning and I was really excited reading it. As the stories progressed, I got distracted and it was getting harder and harder for me to focus on what I was reading at that time. As I continued reading the book, I felt the writing style is monotonous.
I was very pleasantly surprised by this book. Before reading it, I didn't think a taxi driver's experiences could really be all that interesting. It turns out that it's all a matter of perspective. The author clearly loves New York City with a passion, and this comes through tremendously well in the writing. He gives a rich and varied account of the people and situations he's encountered over the years. Some are weird and wonderful, some rather funny, and some quite philosophical in their own way I was very pleasantly surprised by this book.
Some are weird and wonderful, some rather funny, and some quite philosophical in their own way. The collection of stories isn't arranged in a stale chronological order. On the contrary, the narrative regularly jumps back and forth throughout the 80's and 90's, and even into the 00's, but it manages to retain a good flow throughout. Perhaps the highest praise I can give this book is to say that it really made me feel like I've gotten to know New York City, at least a little.
I've never been there before, but now I'm quite determined to visit it at least once. And if I do, now I'll know how much to tip the taxi drivers. Feb 22, Ian rated it liked it Shelves: reviewed. Not so much of a confessional this book is more a series of anecdotes from a long serving New York City yellow cab driver. Surprisingly well written, the stories are layered according to categories Salomon applies to events or character traits experienced over a thirty year period.
Written with a great deal of tolerance and empathy with all of mankind, and even animalkind, which enters his world of work, Salomon's success as a writer stems from his genuine interest in the people who enter his cab Not so much of a confessional this book is more a series of anecdotes from a long serving New York City yellow cab driver.
Written with a great deal of tolerance and empathy with all of mankind, and even animalkind, which enters his world of work, Salomon's success as a writer stems from his genuine interest in the people who enter his cab, treating celebrities and common people equally and finding literary merit in their lives and situations even when his patience is stretched to the limits.
There are no great revelations, or confessions, therein and the book is a light, enjoyable read for those who appreciate city life and people watching, and serves a testament to a dying breed of original New York cab drivers newcomers to the city expect to find but rarely encounter. I once read an article about a pizza delivery guy's most entertaining stories in the Citypages Minneapolis' version of The Village Voice , and this is a similar concept.
Definitely an entertaining exploration of all the crazy New York has to offer within that space known as the back of the taxi cab. While the stories do get a bit repetitive after awhile, this was exactly the kind of digestible fun I once read an article about a pizza delivery guy's most entertaining stories in the Citypages Minneapolis' version of The Village Voice , and this is a similar concept.
While the stories do get a bit repetitive after awhile, this was exactly the kind of digestible fun I needed on the side. It's hard to select a favorite story, as he covers so much territory, but I did enjoy his categorization of the different types of hails and his rationale behind scoring said hails based on their technique and style. Jun 02, Kim rated it really liked it. As I do not drive, I have been riding in taxis since my teenage years, I thought it would be interesting to read a NY taxi drivers perspective of things.
This book is divided into many different topics, which makes it easy to put down and pick back up again. There were parts of this book that made me laugh out loud, and I even cried a tear when the driver described a passenger being driven to the airport due to the sudden death of his mother. This is a ride worth taking, but not sure it would be As I do not drive, I have been riding in taxis since my teenage years, I thought it would be interesting to read a NY taxi drivers perspective of things.
This is a ride worth taking, but not sure it would be as interesting if you have not been to NY before. I had just returned from NY when I read this so I think that contributed to some of its charm. Sep 11, Ashleigh rated it it was amazing. Read as digital ARC. Often times, when I'm ringing up customers at the bookstore, they'll mention the thing they do for a living. I always say, "You should write a book about that.
I would totally read it. Will include dust jacket if it originally came with one. Text will be unmarked and pages crisp. Satisfaction is guaranteed with every order. Buy It Now. Add to cart. Sold by zuber About this product Product Information Heard any good jokes lately? Jim Pietsch, a real New York City cabbie, has heard them all -- from business-people, unemployed laborers, Wall Street lawyers, prostitutes, writers, tourists, drug dealers and lovers In this follow-up to the widely successful New York City Cab Driver's Joke Book, Jim Pietsch has put together another riotously funny collection of more than jokes that is sure to have everyone laughing.
Additional Product Features Edition Description. Show More Show Less. View 1 comment. Aug 23, Doug rated it it was amazing Recommends it for: Funny people. Shelves: fic-not-worth-categorizing. If you haven't read this yet, do so immediately. Sunshine rated it really liked it Mar 04, Franz Iacono rated it it was ok Apr 14, Christine Walendzik rated it it was amazing Jan 26, Wrena rated it it was amazing Feb 18, Haley rated it really liked it Jul 03, Matt Girton rated it liked it Feb 27, Ada rated it liked it Oct 01, Hal Johnson rated it really liked it Apr 30, Travelin rated it it was amazing Aug 02, Johnny Williams rated it it was amazing Jul 22, Martin Ralya rated it it was amazing Nov 06, Nicole rated it really liked it Sep 21, Mark Gillon rated it liked it Dec 31, Max Nemtsov rated it did not like it Nov 02, Joshua Norman rated it liked it Jul 07, Chuck rated it it was ok May 17, Jeanna Rodgers rated it really liked it Apr 06, Michael added it Nov 10, Jeremy added it Mar 22, Sue Ann added it Jan 17, Junior Cassanova added it Aug 01, John Dumas added it Feb 08, John Cassidy added it May 12, Clauz marked it as to-read Jun 13,
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