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The Most Spectacular Restaurant in the World
- The Twin Towers, Windows on the World, and the Rebirth of New York
- Narrated by: Richard Ferrone
- Length: 13 hrs and 5 mins
- Unabridged Audiobook
- Categories: Biographies & Memoirs, Professionals & Academics
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Finished this book in 2 sittings.
- By Peter Brookes on 01-08-20
Summary
The remarkable story of a restaurant on top of the world - built by a legend, destroyed in tragedy - and an era in New York City it helped to frame
In the 1970s, New York City was plagued by crime, filth, and an ineffective government. The city was falling apart, and even the newly constructed World Trade Center threatened to be a fiasco. But in April 1976, a quarter-mile up on the 107th floor of the North Tower, a new restaurant called Windows on the World opened its doors - a glittering sign that New York wasn't done just yet.
In The Most Spectacular Restaurant in the World, journalist Tom Roston tells the complete history of this incredible restaurant, from its stunning $14-million opening to 9/11 and its tragic end. There are stories of the people behind it, such as Joe Baum, the celebrated restaurateur, who was said to be the only man who could outspend an unlimited budget; the well-tipped waiters; and the cavalcade of famous guests, as well as everyday people celebrating the key moments in their lives. Roston also charts the changes in American food, from baroque and theatrical to locally sourced and organic. Built on nearly 150 original interviews, The Most Spectacular Restaurant in the World is the story of New York City's restaurant culture and the quintessential American drive to succeed.
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What listeners say about The Most Spectacular Restaurant in the World
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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- Adam Phipps
- 11-10-21
emotional
extremely moving and perfectly captures 25 years of New Yorks Windows on the Worlds history from 1976 till Armageddon in 2001..
one of the most Iconic restaurants in History..
beautifully written and perfectly narrated..
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- Thomas
- 20-09-19
New Yorkers Must Listen
Loved this story. It is parti immigrant story, history of the rise of modern restaurant culture and captures the rebirth of New York.
The story is rich in detail - think Robert Caro - and has a great narrative. It brings back memories of first visiting New York and the special place that was Windows on the World. Highly recommend.
3 people found this helpful
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- Bruna
- 19-09-19
Couldn't stop listening! Beautifully done!
This book made me love NYC all over again. It felt as if I was a part of all the excitement and grandeur from Windows on the World. I absolutely loved it all!
3 people found this helpful
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- JM
- 13-02-22
A Good Listen
At first I wasn't sure this book was for me, but this was well worth listening or reading and highly recommended. The book has a lot of use full 9/11 information, and plenty of history on the most famous New York area restaurants. Very interesting book. Richard Ferrone does a great job as usual for narrating this audiobook. One of my audible plus selections.
1 person found this helpful
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- JTDorn
- 15-10-19
Very detailed foodie history of WTC and NYC
This book was an outstanding and very detailed history and account of New York City and those responsible for the development of the World Trade Center and it’s Windows on the World. Really enjoyed the foodie history! The book was very tastefully done (no pun intended). Narration was terrific.
1 person found this helpful
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- TylerWSlawson
- 23-03-22
It’s Super Interesting!
This book leaves me compelled to offer this advice: there is evidently no topic too minute to have a book written on the subject. I would not have expecting this much compelling information on a, sadly, former restaurant. What a read! I experienced many emotions while listening, from laughing at funny remarks made to crying in the audiobook’s final chapters. I highly recommend this read for those interested in food, New York, and in history. I just might listen a second time!
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- Amazon Customer
- 29-09-21
Part of the story not heard
This is the history of the Windows restaurant on the very upper floors of the World Trade Center. You learn the history of that place, the Twin Towers, New York and most heartbreakingly of all, 9/11 and the people who lost their lives that day who worked for the restaurant. A real journey and important remembering. The very last chapter had me in tears.
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- howard bascom
- 01-03-21
Great history of World Trade Center and NYC
Great info about the twin towers as well an informative history of NYC from 1960’s-2001. First rate.
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- karen feek
- 17-11-20
Windows on the world
Terrific story about 911. Author told history of restaurant business in New York beautifully. Reader was just perfect because he sounded like a native of new york