Book excerpt: The Society of American Travel Writers recognized Brooklyn! with a bronze award in the Best Guidebook category of the 2004 Lowell Thomas Travel Journalism Competition. With nearly 2.5 million residents, kaleidoscope of cultures, and gutsy attitude, Brooklyn is the place for families, hipsters, artists, and entrepreneurs---plus emigres from abroad, the Midwest, and even Manhattan. In this, the most comprehensive guide to Brooklyn--with more than 1,500 listings--a mother-daughter research team delivers the goods on how to explore New York's most authentic borough. Perfect for the native, the tourist, or the newcomer, this updated and expanded edition of Brooklyn! includes: - Exploration: Complete rundowns of what to see and do in twenty-nine distinct neighborhoods - Food: From cheesecake and pierogis to Asian fusion and American eclectic - Nightlife: Live music, edgy clubs, casual hangouts, theaters, movies - Culture: World-class museums, theater, music, cinema, dance, art, you name it - Shopping: Vintage clothes, trendy boutiques, fresh mozzarella, Russian furs, SCUBA gear, and just about anything else you can think of - Getaways: A never-before-published list of Brooklyn B&Bs and other accommodations - Family Ideas: Activities for kids, shops for teens, and info on Brooklyn's top schools - What's New: Insights on what's changing in half a dozen popular neighborhoods