Customer Reviews

Fly Rod Crosby: The Woman Who Marketed Maine

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This is a very interesting book about a colorful woman who put Maine on the map with her tireless writings and promotions. The first part is about Cornelia's life, and the second part is from "Fly Rod's" letters and an album of vintage photos by Edwin Starbird. It all makes for a fascinating collection about this bold New Englander!

With an odd nickname like Fly Rod, Cornelia Crosby was bound to attract people's interest. Not only that, she was six feet tall and unusually athletic for nineteenth-century women. Ironically, she tended to be sickly as a child, so her doctor prescribed being in the outdoors as a cure. Cornelia discovered she loved to hunt and fish in the Maine woods. As a young woman, she began to write about her adventures in a popular newspaper column, using the pen name "Fly Rod." The name stuck. Sadly, a knee injury put an end to Fly Rod's active outdoor adventures, but she remained beloved by many for the rest of her long life.

A carefully researched, entertainingly written biography of a woman who in many ways defied the conventions of her era - but who was in many other ways limited by them nevertheless. You do NOT have to be interested in hunting and fishing to find Cornelia Crosby's story inspiring and enjoyable.

--Reviewed by Nina M. Osier, author of "Granite Island"

This captivating, informative and fresh volume betrays an excellent working knowledge of the subject. From a lifelong Maine resident who published a tourist guide for about ten years (nearly three decades ago), please accept my sincere thanks. Such an evening of "pure joy" this account of Fly Rod (and those newly-revealed photographs) brought to me! Even 8 months after reading it, I remember with pleasure this account from "old Maine." The volume is still displayed, so guests also can "enjoy the read!"