'The Works' of New York City: Past and Present

Kate Ascher's book goes into the core of the Big Apple. Penguin hide caption

itoggle caption Penguin

New York has long been one of the most fully wrought of America's cities. A new book serves as a historical primer on how the Big Apple uses its municipal might to support millions of people — and deliver a billion gallons of water daily.

Whether the question is the number of pay phones to how many buildings have their own zip code, The Works: Anatomy of a City has the answers.

Kate Ascher's book also explores past efforts to smooth communications and travel in the city, from the Pneumatic Tube Mail Network to a schematic breakdown of asphalt and curb theory.

Guest:

Kate Ascher, author and executive vice president of the New York City Economic Development Corporation