Peggy L. (paigu) reviewed on 4/21/2010 + 120 more book reviews

This book covered a unique topic about which I had no prior knowledge. The idea of people living underground beneath the subway tunnels was just unbelievable. However...some of the stories were a bit "off". I understand she changed details to protect the identities of these people and to hide their locations. But it still seemed weird. How does a young woman gain the trust of these secretive folk so quickly? She doesn't give much background on her research but I read somewhere that she made "hundreds" of visits underground within the span of a couple of months. Even more upsetting is that a simple internet search shows several reviewers challenging the validity and truthfulness of Toth's writing. One so-called subway expert even goes so far to say that all her stories about people living beneath Grand Central and Penn Station is BS.

I will set aside my personal beliefs and just evaluate this book for what it is- a collection of interesting but disjointed tales of people who make their homes in the subway tunnels. The actual stories are the highlights of this book, but beware there are lots of "filler" chapters that feel out of place. The last chapter, appropriately, is the showstopper, but whether you choose to believe it will impact your final opinion of this book.

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