The author of the popular blog "The Streets of Washington" shares new vignettes and reader favorites exploring the colorful history of America's capitol.In Lost Washington, D.C., John DeFerrari investigates the bygone institutions and local haunts of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. Washington may seem eternal and unchanging with its grand avenues and stately monuments, but longtime locals and earlier generations knew a very different place....

A unique look at Washington's landmark hotels and its cultural historyAny large city's marquee hotels are a great barometer of its social and cultural life. Washington DC, is exceptional in this regard, because visitors—from officials, diplomats, and lobbyists to everyday tourists—are so critical to the city's essential purpose as the nation's capital. The city's hotels have also been residences for locals and have served as important social centers, hosting events...

Washington's first streetcars trundled down Pennsylvania Avenue during the Civil War. By the end of the century, streetcar lines crisscrossed the city, expanding it into the suburbs and defining where Washingtonians lived, worked and played. One of the most beloved routes was the scenic Cabin John line to the amusement park in Glen Echo, Maryland. From the quaint early days of small horse-drawn cars to the modern "streamliners" of the twentieth century, the stories are all here. Join autho...

Discover the culinary heritage of America's capitol with this guide to Washington, D.C.'s historic restaurants and storied local eateries.While today's foodies enjoy the latest culinary trends of Logan Circle and the H Street corridor, Washington's first true restaurants opened around 1830. Waves of immigrants introduced a global mix of ingredients to the capital's eager palates by opening eateries like the venerable China Doll Gourmet and Cleveland Park's Roma Res...

A richly illustrated architectural “biography” of one of DC’s most important boulevardsSixteenth Street NW in Washington, DC, has been called the Avenue of the Presidents, Executive Avenue, and the Avenue of Churches. From the front door of the White House, this north-south artery runs through the middle of the District and extends just past its border with Maryland. The street is as central to the cityscape as it is to DC’s history and culture.In Sixte...

Discover the hidden side of New York City history with the official companion to the wildly popular, award-winning podcast, The Bowery Boys, that the New York Times calls "among the best city-centric series." The Bowery Boys podcast is a phenomenon, thrilling audiences each month with one amazing story after the next. Now, in their first-ever book, the duo gives you an exclusive personal tour through New York's old cobblestone streets and gas-lit...

Skip the tour bus and experience the nation's capital on foot with this guide to walkable Washington!City Walks: Washington, D.C. provides an insider's view of the United States' capital city, from historical landmarks to hot spots. Each page in this ebook outlines a self-guided walking adventure, complete with detailed map and local secrets.Pick any page and start exploring—and discover the best places to eat, drink, stop, shop, rest, walk, and play...

A travel guide with character, this fact-filled keepsake offers all the history, beauty, charm, and culture of our nation's capital city. In eye-catching watercolors and detailed sketches, artist Diana Gessler captures the allure that makes Washington DC one of the most visited destinations in the country. In addition to the national landmarks, stirring memorials, and vibrant neighborhoods, there's the Cherry Blossom Festival, the Twilight Tattoo (a military pageant featuring the Old Guard...

From The Big Apple to The City that Never Sleeps, New York has many identities. This most kinetic of cities has myriad meanings and shifting identities – it is a jumble of peoples and cultures, a capital of finance and commerce and a mecca of fashion, art and entertainment. It is the home of the United Nations and Wall Street, and also the destination for millions of tourists each year. It is difficult to make sense of a place as loud, bright and busy as NYC, but this concise and witty gui...

A folklorist chronicles the history and lore of witchcraft in the Keystone State from William Penn's 17th century witch trial to 20th century occultism.As English and German settlers migrated to Pennsylvania, they brought their beliefs in magic with them from the Old World—sometimes with dangerous consequences. In 1802, for example, an Allegheny County judge helped an accused witch escape an angry mob. But Susan Mummey was not so fortunate. In 1934, she was killed ...

There is no better way to see America than on foot. And there is no better way to appreciate what you are looking at than with a walking tour. Whether you are preparing for a road trip or just out to look at your own town in a new way, a downloadable walking tour is ready to explore when you are.Each walking tour describes historical and architectural landmarks and provides pictures to help out when those pesky street addresses are missing. Every tour also includes a quick primer o...

New York Times bestsellerFrom the Winner of the James Beard Lifetime Achievement AwardNow a Netflix Original SeriesT****he grande dame of African American cookbooks and winner of the James Beard Lifetime Achievement Award stakes her claim as a culinary historian with a narrative history of African American cuisine.Acclaimed cookbook author Jessica B. ...