This is a reissue of one of Edward Rowe Snow's most enduring classics. First published in 1945, it relates the histories of over fifty of the region's lighthouses in rich detail. Snow gives special emphasis to the story of heroine Abbie Burgess at Maine's Matinicus Rock Light, to the rich histories of Boston Light and Minot's Ledge Light. Modern day lighthouse expert Jeremy D'Entremont has provided extensive annotations to Snow's chapters, bringing the information about each lighthouse up to date.
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Book Description
--This text refers to the
Paperback
edition.
Editorial Reviews
From the Publisher
Edward Rowe Snow. It is a name we have been forced to reckon with in five years of building Commonwealth Editions as a publisher of nonfiction books about New England and its historic places. Edward Rowe Snow. Everywhere we heard the name—from readers, from booksellers, from historians, from other authors. Nowhere we saw the books.
Not new books, anyway. New editions of Snow weren’t anywhere to be found. Snow’s out of print, we were told. Hasn’t been in print for fifteen years. Love to see him in print, booksellers told us. People ask for his books all the time.
We found fan clubs devoted to Edward Rowe Snow and catalogs and web sites filled with used copies of his books. More than once we heard the joke that a first edition of his work is more valuable unsigned than signed: Snow was such a tireless promoter of his own work, so willing to sign books anywhere on any occasion, that the unsigned book is rare indeed.
We could not find his books, but we found his legend everywhere. It seemed to us that half of New England had grown up "at the feet" of Edward Rowe Snow, taking in his tales like mother’s milk or a good bowl of chowder on a cold, stormy day. And booksellers virtually begged us to reissue Snow’s books. Ken Gloss of the legendary Brattle Book Shop in Boston was typical: "Not a week goes by," he told us, "that I don’t get a request for a book by Edward Rowe Snow." Or maybe he said day.
It was Gloss who finally tipped us off to the whereabouts of the one person on earth who literally grew up at the feet of Edward Rowe Snow. Dorothy Snow Bicknell, an extraordinarily kind and gentle woman known to what must be countless friends as "Dolly," is Snow’s daughter and only child. On a cold November day, we met Dolly at the South Shore Mall, where a model "Lighthouse Santa" still pays tribute to Snow. She charmed us with her devotion to her father’s memory. And I like to think she recognized Commonwealth Editions as a publisher that could do justice to that memory.
With Dolly we met Jeremy D’Entremont, who proved to be much more than a passionate fan of Edward Rowe Snow (we already knew plenty of those). As knowledgeable as he is dedicated, Jeremy provided the key to this new centennial edition of Snow’s work—by respectfully updating and, here and there, gently correcting the master’s work. It is too bad there are no lighthouse keepers anymore, because Jeremy D’Entremont was born for the work. At the end of each chapter are Jeremy’s notes, which bring Snow’s text to the present day. A beacon kept lit with his discernment and devotion would keep vessels safe in the severest weather, on the craggiest shore.
Snow partisan Bob Jannoni provided encouragement for this new edition, and designer Judy Barolak gave it grace and dignity. Steve Csipke developed a new, thematic index. One other person is worthy of note. Our managing editor, Penny Stratton, pulled together with Dolly and Jeremy and the many talented contributors and, against all odds, brought this new edition of Edward Rowe Snow to port. All involved been invigorated by the spirit and legend of Edward Rowe Snow.
Webster Bull
Commonwealth Editions
Summer 2002
From the Inside Flap
Commonwealth Editions is proud to reissue The Lighthouses of New England, one of Snow’s most enduring classics, in recognition of the centennial of Snow’s birth in August 1902. First published in 1945 and then updated in 1973, it relates the histories of over fifty of the region’s lighthouses in rich detail. Snow gives special emphasis to the story of heroine Abbie Burgess at Maine’s Matinicus Rock Light, to the rich histories of Boston Light and Minot’s Ledge Light, and to the legendary Ida Lewis of Newport’s Lime Rock Light. Modern-day lighthouse expert Jeremy D’Entremont has provided extensive annotations to Snow’s chapters, bringing the information about each lighthouse up to date.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
No One Knows New England Folklore Like Snow,
By
This review is from: Lighthouses of New England (Snow Centennial Editions) (Hardcover)
When I was between fifth and sixth grades, I first became introduced to the writings of Edward Rowe Snow after reading a book I believe was titled TRUE TALES AND MYSTERIOUS LEGENDS. I read other books as well and quickly learned that if anyone knows New England, it is Edward Rowe Stowe. Stowe was an expert on everything New England, especially its legends. Stowe also loved lighthouses, both the structures and the people who staffed them. His book THE LIGHTHOUSES OF NEW ENGLAND has the history of New England's lighthouses which played an essential role in the maritime history of the United States as well as the legends associated with them. For some, using the title New England may be a misnomer since the majority of the book deals with the lights in Massachusetts and Maine, with some information about Rhode Island lights, particularly then story of Ida Lewis, but the lights of Connecticut are not included, but even without this information, the book is still a great treasure.This edition of the book was published in honor of the centenary of Snow's birth, due largely to the efforts of Jeremy D'Entremont, a contemporary lighthouse historian who shares Snow's love for the lighthouses of New England.
1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
New edition of lighthouse classic,
By D. Donovan, Editor/Sr. Reviewer "California B... (California, USA) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Lighthouses of New England (Snow Centennial Editions) (Hardcover)
Edward Rowe Snow has produced many accounts of New England maritime history, making his name as a historian of the coast: his LIGHTHOUSES OF NEW ENGLAND first appeared in 1945, was updated in 1973, and returns to print to provide newcomers with a rich history of over fifty of the region's lighthouses. This edition (1933212209) adds modern lighthouse expert Jeremy D'Entremont's annotations to Snow's chapters which brings details about each lighthouse up to date. Black and white photos enhance a lively reading style perfect for lighthouse fans and regional New England history buffs.
0 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
For the real fan,
By
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This review is from: Lighthouses of New England (Snow Centennial Editions) (Hardcover)
Snow's writing style is very much a product of his era and of his upbringing, both of which are firmly rooted in a bygone era. I could wish for a little less florid language and a little more substance. That said, this book is required reading for lovers of New England maritime history and culture.
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