Walking East Harlem - by Christopher Bell (Paperback)

About the Book

East Harlem native Christopher Bell takes you on three separate walking tours of his beloved neighborhood, sharing fascinating stories about its theatres, museums, art spaces, schools, churches, mosques, and synagogues. You'll also learn about the people who have lived in this famously diverse community, including actress Cecily Tyson and opera singer Marian Anderson.

Book Synopsis

They call it Spanish Harlem or sometimes just El Barrio. But for over a century, East Harlem has been a melting pot of many ethnic groups, including Puerto Rican, Dominican, Cuban, and Mexican immigrants, as well as Italian, Jewish, and African American communities. Though gentrification is rapidly changing the face of this section of upper Manhattan, it is still full of sites that attest to its rich cultural heritage.

Now East Harlem native Christopher Bell takes you on a tour of his beloved neighborhood. He takes you on three separate walking tours, each visiting a different part of East Harlem and each full of stories about its theaters, museums, art spaces, schools, community centers, churches, mosques, and synagogues. You'll also learn about the famous people who lived in El Barrio, such as actress Cecily Tyson, opera singer Marian Anderson, portrait artist Alice Neel, incomparable poet Julia De Burgos, and King of Latin Music Tito Puente.

Lavishly illustrated with over fifty photos, Walking East Harlem points out not only the many architectural and cultural landmarks in the neighborhood but also the historical buildings that have since been demolished. Whether you are a tourist or a resident, this guide will give you a new appreciation for El Barrio's exciting history, cultural diversity, and continued artistic vibrancy.

Review Quotes

"Really terrific at getting at the depth of East Harlem's history . . . it carries lessons that are much bigger than East Harlem itself."--Robert Snyder "New Books Network"

About the Author

CHRISTOPHER BELL is a local historian, born and raised in East Harlem. He earned his master's degree in history from City College of New York and has worked in city, state, and federal government. His previous books include Images of America: East Harlem, East Harlem Revisited, and East Harlem Remembered: Community and Diversity.