Colum McCann's novel *Let the Great World Spin* is set in 1970's New York City around the time Philippe Petit tight-roped across the Twin Towers. How memorable / important a moment was it in 1970's New York and what was his rationale for doing the stunt?
On the rationale for doing the stunt, I'd recommend the 2008 documentary Man on Wire, which contains both contemporary interviews with Petit and others and archival footage, and is an excellent watch to boot.