"A look at our love affair with air conditioning . .
. . . In his breezily anecdotal book, Mr. Basile reminds readers that AC was not just about comfort. It triggered a cultural and demographic revolution." more
. . . Sam Roberts, New York Times

"Charming . . . sharp micro-history" more
. . . .Simon Ings, New Scientist

"COOL tells the surprisingly suspenseful story of the development and gradual adoption of air conditioning in the United States. The puckish Basile is more than up to the task, and his copious research pays off: Not only is COOL an informative read, each chapter is strewn with more anecdotes than there are sprinkles on an ice cream cone. Some are hilarious; others, jaw-dropping. Best of all, each chapter leaves you wanting more."
. . . American Scientist

". . . A lively and endlessly informative tale about how air conditioning happened scientifically and what it has done for and to us."
. . . The Common Reader

"Here are some surprising things you probably don't know about air conditioning." more
. . . Carolyn Kellogg, Los Angeles Times

"Fascinating . . . examines the technology and its penetration into American life." more
. . . Peter J. Leithart, First Things

"The all-encompassing guidebook to the history of air conditioning, chronicling the numerous gimmicks, failed attempts, con jobs, and eventual successes . . . a surprisingly interesting journey."  
. . . San Francisco Book Review

"Salvatore Basile offers a well-written, engaging history of one of the most important churches in New York City, entwining its narrative with a greater one that encompasses elements of the history of media, culture, and religion on a national scale. He also introduces readers to significant church musicians whose lives and music resonated beyond the walls of the St. Patrick's to liturgical arenas as far away as St. Peter's in Rome."
. . . Denise Gallo, Head of Acquisitions and Processing Section Music Division, The Library of Congress

"Basile's writing style and effortless wit projects New York City's civic, musical and ecclesiastical spirit as only a New Yorker would view it."
. . . Stephen Rapp, Director of Music, St. John's Lutheran Church, Stamford, CT

"Mr. Basile's tome bulges with facts, anecdotes and legend, beautifully woven into a fine narrative covering the period from 1879 to 2010. Thoroughly researched, well documented and wonderfully written, Basile provides the reader with continuous amazement and hilarity. You will not find a better opportunity to 'read between the lines' than in this book."
. . . .McNeil Robinson, Chair of the Organ Department, Manhattan School of Music, Director of Music, Church of the Holy Trinity (Roman Catholic)

"This fascinating chronicle is not only a history of arguably the most visible Catholic church in the world, but indeed all New York's colorful church music landscape, from the earliest recorded days to the present. Basile's very colorful style makes what could easily be a dry subject into a most enjoyable ride through thick and thin times, grand occasions, countless famous personalities, and of course the ever-present church politics. A must read for any American Catholic church musician!"
. . . Scott Turkington, The Church Music Association of America

"The story of the music at St. Patrick's Cathedral has now been told in a new and richly detailed book"
. . . Mary Ann Poust, Catholic New York

“Whether your interest is music, New York history or you simply love an inside story, you will really enjoy this book…I enjoyed [it] so much that I read it from cover to cover in one night.”
. . . Maureen McKew, Handing on the Faith

"The stories here offer an in-depth look at the history, choral music and evolution of music at St. Patrick’s and makes for a fine collection documenting the cathedral’s evolution and importance – a ‘must’ for any New York or spirituality or music shelf."
. . . Midwest Book Review