Here's two that I did enjoy.
Ship Ablaze: The Tragedy of the Steamboat General Slocum
1,300 lives lost in a ferry boat fire. Until the WTC attacks of 9-11, the largest loss of life in a single incident in NYC.
A-Train: Memoirs of a Tuskegee Airman
A young man from NYC overcomes great odds to fight for his country during WWII & Korea.
I'll have to check out the Gen. Slocum book. I have to admit, even though I've lived in NYC all my life and spent a fair amount of time at the South Street Seaport, I don't remember having heard of the Gen Slocum before the 100-year anniversary special and articles early last year.