Sam Roberts

The life of New Yorker Richard Ravitch, who helped save the city from bankruptcy in the 1970s, chaired the MTA and served as lieutenant governor of the state.

New York City history, as told through profiles of 31 relatively obscure New Yorkers.

Longtime New York Times reporter Sam Roberts joins to discuss his history of some forgotten New Yorkers. 

New York Times correspondent Sam Roberts on his book about the history of NYC buildings. 

A new book from Sam Roberts. 

Sam Roberts joins us to talk about his book, "A History of NY in 101 Objects."

As preparations for the parade for the U.S. Women's Soccer Team is underway, The New York Times' Sam Roberts offers historical context + explains exactly what "ticker-tape" is.

From water tanks to public school door knobs, Sam Roberts, urban affairs correspondent for The New York Times, presents a history of the five boroughs through intriguing artifacts.

Now that we know the matchup for November's mayoral election, can Republican Joe Lhota actually win in deep blue New York City - particularly when Bill de Blasio made such a successful appeal to a variety of identity groups? Reihan Salam, senior fellow at R Street, contributor to The National Review and CNN, discusses what he and fellow New York Republicans want to see from Lhota. And New York Times urban affairs correspondent Sam Roberts breaks down the demographic challenges Lhota faces -- plus the types of Democrats he'll have to win over.

When Grand Central Terminal opened in 1913, it immediately became one of the most beautiful and recognizable Manhattan landmarks, and to celebrate its centennial, Sam Roberts of The New York Times looks back at Grand Central's conception, history, and the cultural effects the station has had on busy commuters and tourists. His book Grand Central: How a Train Station Transformed America looks at the way the station spurred suburban expansion and fostered the nation's westward movement via the railroad.

Sam Roberts, urban affairs correspondent  for The New York Times, looks at the new census numbers showing more children under five living in Manhattan, but fewer children city-wide.

»» Check out WNYC's census maps below

E.J. McMahon, senior fellow for Tax and Budgetary Studies at the Manhattan Institute and director of the Empire Center for New York State Policy, and Sam Roberts, urban affairs correspondent  for the New York Times, explain the migration of New Yorkers over time, and how the latest report from the Empire Center fits with census data.

Sam Roberts, urban affairs correspondent  for The New York Times, looks at the new census numbers showing more children under five living in Manhattan, but fewer children city-wide.

»» Check out WNYC's census maps below

Sam Roberts, urban affairs correspondent for The New York Times, joins us as our weekly guest this month to talk about the census results and what they show about Americans and New Yorkers. In his final segment with us in this series, he digs deep into the NYC and metropolitan area census figures.

→ Listen, Read a Recap, and Explore Maps at It's A Free Country

Sam Roberts, urban affairs correspondent for The New York Times, is a weekly guest for the month of March. Each week he talks about the 2010 Census results and what they reveal about Americans and New Yorkers. This week he discusses poverty.

→  Listen, Read a Recap and Join the Conversation at It's a Free Country

[T]he total number for New York City is disappointingly low according to city officials, lower than the 8.4 million they were expecting, and the chances are they’re going to challenge...

Sam Roberts, urban affairs correspondent for The New York Times, is a weekly guest for the month of March. Each week he talks about the 2010 Census results and what they reveal about Americans and New Yorkers. This week he discusses how the Hispanic population has expanded.

→  Listen, Read a Recap, and Add Your Comments at It's A Free Country

On The Brian Lehrer Show today at 10:40 am.  Audio and a recap of this conversation will be posted here by 1pm.

Sam Roberts, urban affairs correspondent for The New York Times, is a weekly guest for the month of March. Each week he talks about the 2010 Census results and what they reveal about Americans and New Yorkers. This week he discusses how the Hispanic population has expanded.

Sam Roberts, urban affairs correspondent for The New York Times, is a weekly guest for the month of March. Each week he talks about the 2010 Census results and what they reveal about Americans and New Yorkers. This week he discusses New Jersey.

→  Hear Audio, Read a Recap and Join the Conversation at It's a Free Country

When you look at Queens Village, you have a couple square blocks in which there are 400 residents from Central and South America; 300 from south Asia; 300 from southeast Asia; almost ...