Boardwalk Memories: Tales of the Jersey Shore [Hardcover]

Emil R. Salvini (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Review

"The #1 Must Read for the Summer"

New Jersey Monthly Magazine

 

 

"Mr. Salvini is a historian with solid credentials...[he] takes us on a tour of the wooden walks up and down the Shore, from Cape May to Long Branch. There are 174 pages of photographs and prints that complement his tales. He includes stories about presidents and presidential hopefuls and their beach houses, along with the development of amusement parks, piers and marvelously carved carousel horses."

The New York Times

From the Back Cover

Enter the world of the Jersey Shore through remarkable archival photographs and lively tales in this heartfelt tribute to New Jersey's boardwalks. Millions of tourists have at one time or another visited "The Shore," as the locals fondly refer to the 127-mile coastline between Sandy Hook and Cape May Point. Few leave without a special boardwalk memory. Join historian Emil R. Salvini as he traces the evolution of these "walkways of wood" from humble plank paths to the seaside promenades and busy midways of today.
From Long Branch to Cape May, each of the boardwalks along the New Jersey shore has its own story to tell. While some preserve the honky-tonk, circus-barker atmosphere of yore, others have become peaceful promenades along the sea. North of Long Beach Island, the boardwalks have a distinct Manhattan flavor, with New York-style pizza, Italian sausage sandwiches, and Devils, Yankees, and Mets caps and jerseys in abundance. The boardwalks to the south serve as satellites of Philadelphia, replete with cheese steaks, pork rolls, funnel cakes, and naturally, Flyers and Eagles fans.
If you're looking for a Jersey-style, heavy-decibel, neon-laden boardwalk experience, look no further than Seaside Heights, Ocean City, and Wildwood. Or perhaps you'd prefer the noncommercial boardwalk at Ocean Grove, which reflects the pious tone of the town's religious founders, or that of Spring Lake where there are no rides, no games of chance, no cotton candy, and no funnel cake. As with Cape May to the south, residents here believe visitors come for the peaceful seaside ambience, the quaint architecture, and a chance to step into the past. Whatever your taste, there is a boardwalk that will not disappoint.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 192 pages
• Publisher: Globe Pequot; 1st edition (October 14, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0762736747
• ISBN-13: 978-0762736744
• Product Dimensions: 11.1 x 8.9 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #759,955 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

New Jersey resident
Author - avocation
Business owner - vocation

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A "must have" for lovers of the Jersey Shore, November 29, 2005

By 

Nodrog - See all my reviews

This review is from: Boardwalk Memories: Tales of the Jersey Shore (Hardcover)

Reading this book is like taking a walk down Memory Lane. It brought back so many fond memories of my childhood trips "down the shore"

Salvini's attention to detail and wonderful collection of historical photographs are absolutely astounding.

A must read for anyone who grew up at the Jersey Shore!

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Five Star Read, November 27, 2005

By 

New Jersey Historian (New Jersey) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Boardwalk Memories: Tales of the Jersey Shore (Hardcover)

Emil Salvini has done it again.

I loved his book on Cape May: The Summer City by the Sea, An Illustrated History of Cape May, NJ which documents in wonderful detail the story of America's most famous Victorian resort.

Using his gift for story telling Mr. Salvini now brings all of the NJ shore resorts to life from Long Branch to Cape May.

From Lucy the Elephant, to the first Boardwalk on the coast, to famous shipwrecks and parades, it is all here.
If you have ever visited the NJ boardwalks or have friends or family who have this is a MUST READ.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A lovely reconstruction of Jersey Shore history and culture., January 6, 2007

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Boardwalk Memories: Tales of the Jersey Shore (Hardcover)

Enthusiasts of New Jersey's famous Jersey Shore will find a welcome focus on the boardwalks past and present in BOARDWALK MEMORIES: TALES OF THE JERSEY SHORE. For millions of tourists the boardwalk lies at the center of a Jersey vacation memory, so historian Emil Salvini's survey of the history of the boardwalks should hold special appeal to any who have visited the area and retain a fond affection for the area. Chapters detail different boardwalks and are packed with vintage black and white photos from yesteryear. Highly recommended: a lovely reconstruction of Jersey Shore history and culture.

Diane C. Donovan
California Bookwatch