Taxi Confidential: Life, Death and 3 a.m. Revelations in New York City Cabs

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2,844

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09/14/2009

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Books - Non-fiction

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An outrageous encounter in a cab is a rite of passage in New York City. Trap two or more strangers in a careening yellow sedan and add an unexpecte... (More) An outrageous encounter in a cab is a rite of passage in New York City. Trap two or more strangers in a careening yellow sedan and add an unexpected variable-say, a well-armed transvestite hooker, the urgent need for a restroom, or a stabbing victim-and the story that emerges is sure to be worth telling. In Taxi Confidential, cabbies ranging from a lead-footed pothead to a philosophizing immigrant sage grapple with what chance tosses their way. Author Amy Braunschweiger uncovers the best taxi stories from the 1970s through present day, and takes the reader on a 100-mile-per-hour ride through Gotham's darkest alleys, roughest neighborhoods, and hidden sweet spots.

Note from 671 Press co-founder Lee Klancher:
Amy Braunschweiger’s book is simply good journalism. In the age of blogs, podcasts, e-zines, and mash-ups, the number of people honoring the profession with the hard work required to tell a good story are exceptions rather than the rule.

When Amy and I first discussed this project four years ago, we knew this book should exist—that cabbies and passengers had incredible stories to tell. Everyone who visits or lives in New York has a taxicab story. But only a select few justify the dignity of print.

So Amy did her work. She cold-called cab companies, loitered in cabbie eateries, and met drivers in diners, cafes, bars, and their cabs. Then she wrote, rewrote, sweated, researched, slashed, trashed, and rewrote some more. She ate, slept, and breathed taxi stories for several years. In short, she put in the effort needed to create a good read.
Taxi Confidential is a piece of old-school journalism. It’s also a good read. The stories Amy found run the gamut from quirky and entertaining to shocking and disturbing. It’s a back alley tour of New York, and I’m proud as hell that it’s part of our list at 671 Press.
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