GRAND CENTRAL - GATEWAY TO A MILLION LIVES

A colorful history of a remarkable building, the architects, politicians, and celebrities connected to it, as well as its impact on our culture, and the recent renovation. This is the story of Grand Central Terminal in New York City, a remarkable and beautiful building whose birth, survival, and restoration reflect not only the changes that have taken place in our country's history, culture, and social consciousness but also the critical role architecture plays in the expansion of our cities. It begins with the historic struggle to save Grand Central in the wake of the destruction of Penn Station and in the face of economic forces in the real-estate industry that are intent on its demise. There follows a chronological history of the previous two stations on the site; the construction of the present building; and the grand and anecdotal human stories, movies, and radio programs that involve the great building. Also chronicled is the decline of long-distance rail travel and the emergence of the MTA as the force behind Grand Central's rebirth. Chapters and photographs (50 color plates, 100 black-and-white illustrations) provide a fascinating firsthand account of the $400 million restoration.