New York's Most Unusual Address - Life at the Dakota

An insightful story of a fascinating building! I actually worked with someone who grew up in the Dakota, so I was interested to gain a more detailed knowledge of the stories I'd heard. A fascinating subculture long before John Lenon lived there.

Amazingly, this book about a building held my interest. The author brought out so much more history than just that of an interesting building in New York.
Would like for my next field trip to be to New York City to see this interesting place.

Enjoyed reading the history of the Dakota and it's fascinating residents. Hopefully this beautiful building will survive. I do wish the author would have placed some historical photos throughout the book.

Stephen Birmingham is an engaging writer. I found myself drawn into the mystic of the various residents as the years unfolded. It was a very interesting look at the history of part of American culture.

I thought it was well written for the most part - a little more info than necessary on it at times, but worth it in the end! I've heard about the Dakota and always wanted to know more about the building and it's residents and this book filled the bill!

Life at the Dakota was interesting, but not quite what I expected. Many of the names mentioned were unfamiliar to me and the author didn't always tell us why they were important. I still don't have a "feel" for the attic rooms or the layout of the building. In fact, it was rather confusing. Some original blueprints or pictures would have been helpful. The writing was clear and very readable. What Stephen Birmingham left out of the book may have been because the building is still inhabited by some of the original families, and they may have refused to give him permission to be more specific in his descriptions or to include pictures. I did skim some areas which I found to be repetitious or "unnecessary," but I did finish reading.

This book pointed out how differently we all perceive life. It points out how old money and new money look at the world. One never really thinks about this. It reads like a history lesson of sorts.

I was very interested in the beginning with the building and location of the Hotel, but found later on with all the different renters and clients, it soon lost my interest. It may be too, that I am not familiar with area and I had only been to Mahattan for 3 days of sightseeing 4 years ago. I am from the west coast and a desert dweller for the last 50 years..Does that tell you anything ?? lol

I really enjoyed reading about the in depth history of NYC and the building, and the interesting characters who lived there through the years. Since it was written in the 70s, however, it was definitely dated since both Yoko and John were residents. But the history hasn't changed and the author had access to some residents from the beginning of the 20th century.

Am still reading this. For some reason, I have become infatuated with The Dakota and its history. Highly readable, though at times, the history takes a detour. But very enjoyable. Can see why it's such an icon.

For some reason, I thought this book was more recently written. I found it jarring to be reading about The Lennons in present tense (and in not in a particularly good light; the general opinion of laziness a/o a promising life wasted), but enjoyed reading about the social divisions and attitudes of the well to do of New York City.

I thoroughly enjoyed this fascinating book about a very famous and intriguing building! I always was interested in The Dakota and now I know tons of interesting facts about not only the building’s history, but the history of New York! HIGHLY recommended!!

I always wanted to know more about this landmark building, and this book gives all I needed and more. It is a bit dated as it doesn't include the current real estate market in NYC, or the tragic murder of John Lennon, or the impact of same on the Dakota.

Lots of cool information about a very improbable place with highly improbable occupants. An interesting read that makes you want to hang out around there and go through the trash - just in case a mantelpiece is being thrown out or some other wild item. Would love to meet the mystery occupants of the top floors - but I suspect it is all changed now....

THIS BOOK GIVES THE HISTORY OF THE DAKOTA BUT SOME HISTORY OF NYC TOO. IT TELLS ABOUT THE MOVIE THAT WAS MADE THJERE AND FAMOUS PEOPLE WHO HAVE LIVED THERE LIKE JOHN L. AND YOKO OHNO. AND OF COURSE IT IS ALL ABOUT THE RICH!!!! MIKE

I thoroughly enjoyed this book, although it was written some time ago. The Dakota remains unique in New York history so it was a fun read. Although not nearly as detailed (thank goodness) as "House of Outrageous Fortune", it was much more enjoyable., I "nodded off" numerous times reading that one as the details were rather tedious..still haven't finished it.

Although this book was published thirty years ago, it has surprisingly stood the test of time as a record of a remarkable building. It is of course a bit dated, especially in regard to the most famous residents, John Lennon and Yoko Ono, having been published just a short time before he was killed on the doorstep of the venerable building. Nevertheless, it is well written, thoroughly researched and at times down right riveting, profiling many unique and eccentric characters both famous, infamous and now mostly all forgotten. I would have liked to have seen more photographs. The few pictures published were all certainly interesting, but they only served to whet my appetite for more - thank goodness for the internet! I was able to find many photographs of past residents and a few additional photos of some of the building's interior spaces. But it would have been nice to have it all in one place. Overall, it was a very interesting and satisfying read and would certainly appeal to anyone interested in historical architecture. I only wish there was a follow-up sequel documenting the building's evolution, profiling the building's current tenants.

If you are fan of history, architecture and good gossip......read this book. It is fascinating on all three points. Covers this icon completely. The history of the building layered on with a cast of characters you couldn't have invented. Read this book.

I found this book to be very interesting. It gets into the complete history of the building and also brings insight to many of the residents over the years. If you like architecture or New York history this is a great book for you.

Love learning the background of this most interesting building. From the history to the inhabitats and their idiosyncratic ways. Can't wait for my next trip to NY to walk by and look for the ghosts of days gone by.

Not having been to New York, this book provided a learning experience for me regarding architecture, social norms in the late 1800s, and what New York City looked like long ago as opposed to now. I appreciated the ability to learn something new in the reflection of the past.