Customer Reviews

Ghosts of Newport: Spirits, Scoundrels, Legends and

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While the focus is on, as the subtitle proclaims, "Spirits, Scoundrels, Legends, and Lore," the book provides a large amount of background on Rhode Island, the Providence Plantations, and, of course, Newport itself.

If you ever go to Newport, one-time playground of the world's wealthiest men, this book is almost essential; and even if you never plan to go, it's interesting, well-written, and nicely illustrated. I was grabbed in the first chapter by the story of the Jailhouse Inn, a renovated colonial prison:

"The Newport Jailhouse was not designed to be completely escape-proof. It was never considered particularly strong or secure. Especially early in Newport history, jail sentences were rare; colonists preferred public humiliation as punishment for crimes."

I was surprised by how well written and well researched this book is. Most of the photography was very good, too - and there's lots of it (though some photos are a bit muddy, which I believe is the publishers' fault based on my experience with print).

Inaccurate and sketchy. Supposed to be about Newport, but too much info that has little to do with Newport. Save your money.