Essayist and consummate New Yorker, Philip Lopate pulls in history, ecology, archaeology, literature and urban planning in this delightful, discursive account of his rambles along the water's edge from the West Side to Washington Heights and all the way around to South Street Seaport and Highbridge Park. If you, like us, have often wondered about the perverse disconnect of New York from its waterfront, you'll find much pleasure in Lopate's perspective and wit.  (NYC113, $15.95)