I've seen the movie "American Gangster" with Denzel Washington. In fact I own it. I dig Denzel. The book that inspired the movie though, is equally awesome, plus then some. It's written by Mark Jacobson. He knows New York City... and in his book American Gangster and Other Tales of New York... he takes you inside NYC with some of the coolest stories ever. Venture into the world of Harlem's most powerful politician, there's a segment on 9/11 conspiracy theorists, find out who the Last Irish Cowboy is. This book is awesome. This isn't the New York of Times Square and 5th Avenue. This is New York as only someone who knows the town could write. I love it. I think I'm going to read it again. Reading... still cool.