Book on history of New York architecture?

The four-volume New York 1880|1900|1930|1960 might be too detailed, but looks good on the shelf: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/new-york-1880-robert-am-stern/1013569366?ean=9781580930277

There's the AIA Guide to NYC, but that might be limited to extant buildings.

IIRC the architecture section upstairs at the Strand has some NYC-specific shelves, and the NYC sections at Barnes and Noble might have what you have in mind.

Not really history related but the "Above" series make great city-centric semi-architectural coffee table books that out-of-town guests always seem to love. It is such a unique view of the city that my friends and long time residents also enjoy flipping through them as well.

http://www.amazon.com/Above-New-York-Paul-Goldberger/dp/0918684420

I like the AIA guide. Also agree that The Strand has a good selection. You can get the coffee-table photo books there.

Ada Louise Huxtable (no relation to Cliff from the Cosby Show) who served as the Times' architecture critic for 20 years and now writes for the WSJ has a book that discusses the evolution of architecture in the 20th century. Its not limited to NYC but is obviously titled in this direction.

www.BarryLewis.org

I attended his lecture series at Cooper Union.
You would like it, NYCNovice.

must-have: http://www.amazon.com/Delirious-New-York-Retroactive-Manifesto/dp/1885254008/