Max Millard's 100 New Yorkers of the 1970s is exactly what it sounds like, but so much more. In the 1970s, Millard walked the city with a tape recorder, stopping people from all walks of life to ask them about their lives. The result isn't a single narrative, but a chorus of voices.

The Story

There's no traditional plot. Instead, you get 100 brief, first-person accounts. You'll meet a cab driver explaining the unwritten rules of the streets, a teacher in the South Bronx describing her classroom, a young punk musician talking about the birth of CBGB, and a retiree who remembers a quieter, older city. Some stories are just a few paragraphs; others go a bit deeper. Together, they don't argue a single point. They just show you the decade from street level, in all its gritty, beautiful, and chaotic detail.

Why You Should Read It

This book completely changed how I see 1970s New York. We always hear about the fear, the filth, and the near-bankruptcy. Those things were real, but this book shows you what else was real: incredible community, dark humor, and a raw creative energy. These people weren't just surviving a 'bad' decade; they were living full, complex lives. The beauty is in the small moments—the vendor who prided himself on his hot dogs, the librarian who guarded her branch like a fortress. It makes history feel immediate and personal. You don't just learn what happened; you feel what it was like to be there.

Final Verdict

Perfect for anyone with a curiosity about cities, people, or recent history. If you're a New Yorker, it's essential reading—a love letter to your grandparents' city. If you're not, it's a masterclass in oral history and a fascinating look at an era of radical change. It's not a polished, romantic tale. It's honest, sometimes messy, and utterly captivating. Read it one story at a time, and let the city's real heartbeat pull you in.