A rich, gorgeously woven tapestry of capitalism, anarchy, riots, organized crime, literary feuds, con artists, hippies, hipsters, beatniks, deadbeats, punks, revolutionaries, drag queens, chaos, and thrilling, only-in-New York adventure. With a reporter's eye for detail and a poet's flair for language, Ada Calhoun has crafted a lush love letter to America's most fascinating street.--Karen Abbott, author of Sin in the Second City

The New York Dolls, the Ramones, the Velvet Underground, Teenage Jesus and the Jerks, and a million other bands (including mine) spent time on St. Marks Place. Ada Calhoun's wonderful book tells punk's story in a totally new and exciting way. Plus, it has more sex-per-page than any cultural history I've ever read.--Kathleen Hanna

As a teenager I skateboarded, wrote music, and drank malt liquor on St. Marks Place. After the early '80s, I thought the street was dead. But in this terrific book Ada Calhoun proves that every generation had its moment.--Adam Horovitz

I love this funny, sad, amazing book. St. Marks Place is the most interesting street in the world, because it doesn't try to be; it's abnormal and impossible and ugly and sexy and annoying and inspiring. And the story was written by a St. Marks child, which is probably the only way it could've been told.--Colin Quinn

Roll up. Roll up for the St. Marks Place tour! Ada Calhoun will take you on a hilarious and poignant ride through the history of one of the world's most storied streets. At once an archaeologist, detective, and charismatic tour guide, Ada unearths the hidden historical gems that give the street its richness and depth.--Lili Taylor

Highbrow / Brilliant.-- "New York"

Fascinating...through exhaustive research and vivid storytelling, Calhoun recounts the happenings and personalities that dotted both the literal and metaphorical landscape of the iconic East Village Street.--Jay Ruttenberg "Village Voice"

A timely, provocative, and stylishly written book.--John McMillian "The Atlantic"

Ada Calhoun's spellbinding book contains so much riveting history that was heretofore unknown to me, and her portrayal of the characters brings the history alive as vividly as an epic TV drama. For me, St. Marks Place Is Dead rivals Armistead Maupin's Tales of the City.--Tim Gunn

[E]ssential cultural history...St. Marks is always in its death throes, but Calhoun captures it as an important site of cultural production and transformation.--Adrienne Westenfeld "Esquire"

What an entertaining and exhilarating read. Deeply researched and thought-provoking, this book is a joyride through the history of New York.--Jami Attenberg, author of I Came All This Way to Meet You

Publisher: W. W. Norton & Company

Pub date: 2016-11-08

Length: 432 pages