Synopses & Reviews
-- Stories of the heroism and fortitude of the men and women of the U.S. Lighthouse Service, who kept vital shipping lanes safe from 1716 until early in the 20th century
-- Vivid tales about the daily work; coping with fog, storms, and other catastrophes; legends and ghosts; women's and families' roles; lighthouse children and pets; the natural world around lighthouses; and the diverse characters of those who held the job
-- Fans of Elinor De Wire's charming style will want this book
Review
""A delightful addition to any library, whether [you're] a lighthouse lover or not!""
Synopsis
In a charming blend of history and human interest, this book paints a colorful portrait of the lives of a vanished breed--the lighthouse keepers--from the year 1716, when the first lighthouse was established in America, to the early 1980s when automation replaced the last human "guardian of the light." A wealth of material from the archives of the 19th and 20th centuriesss--primarily letters, diaries, and newspaper accounts--provides vivid stories about lighthouse keeping in this country: the daily work; coping with fog, storms and other catastrophes; legends and ghosts; women's and families' roles; lighthouse children and pets; the natural world around lighthouses; and the diverse characters of those who held the job. Lighthouse keeping was a unique occupation, now obsolete, and this book is a fitting tribute to these tough, usually solitary, and dedicated heroes who kept the lights burning every night, without fail.