New York, when viewed at ground level, is a messy city - in the best and worst senses of the word - a polyglot mix of people, in all shapes, sizes, and dress. That is why the only way to get a full picture of what the city looks like is to follow photographer Michael Yamashita's axiom - 'Go high'. There is a preponderance of ways to accomplish this: by leg-power - say, climbing to the top of the Statue of Liberty for a view of Manhattan from the south or mounting the steps of Riverside Church for a view from the north; the rooftop observation decks on the 86th and 102nd floors of the Empire State Building or the Top of the Rock observation deck on Rockefeller Center. For birds-eye-view thrills, a helicopter is in order. But far easier is to settle into a comfortable chair and tour all the many aspects of Manhattan from the air in these pages. Minus the vertigo.

Author Biography

Elizabeth Bibb is a writer and editor who works in both magazine and book publishing. Michael Yamashita has combined his dual passions of photography and travel for over 25 years working for The National Geographic.