The Bronx Nobody Knows: An Urban Walking Guide

Experiencing the Bronx through the eyes of the late Helmreich (The Manhattan Nobody Knows) is like having a friendly, knowledgeable walking companion show the area the way locals experience it. Determined to change the dismal perception many have of the northernmost borough of New York City, the author describes it as an area filled with hope, history, beauty, and a sense of community, while still acknowledging that certain areas should be approached with caution. Neighborhood by neighborhood and with detailed street maps showing points of interest, the book’s vivid descriptions of the architecture, infused with interesting tidbits of history and the occasional photo, bring the distinctiveness of this borough to light. The conversations the author has with people he encounters—shop owners, basketball-playing teens, delivery drivers, homeowners, and more—on his walks differentiate this work from other travel books. Sadly, Helmreich died of COVID in 2020 after finishing this book and leaving his next work on Staten Island unfinished. His family, however, hopes to complete the series.