New Jersey's Coastal Heritage: A Guide [Paperback]

Mark Di Ionno (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 1, 1997

Most people see the Jersey Shore as sun, sand, and surf . . . and hours in bumper-to-bumper traffic on the Garden State Parkway. But there's much more to the Shore! Long before the first hotel, miniature golf range, and amusement pier were built, explorers, sailors, and settlers were drawn to New Jersey's coast and left their mark upon it. In this book, Mark Di Ionno invites you to join him in discovering New Jersey's rich and varied coastal heritage. He'll take you on a personal tour to explore the Sandy Hook Lighthouse and Spermaceti Cove Station, admire offbeat collections of saltwater taffy boxes and sand art in Atlantic City, spend an afternoon at Brigantine and unravel the legend of Captain Kidd, marvel at the skills of Tuckerton's boatbuilders, discover New Jersey's own version of the Boston Tea Party in Greenwich, and find inspiration at Ocean Grove, a Methodist meeting place. Organized by county and amply illustrated with photographs and maps, the guide's entries give directions and information about hours, programs, and accessibility, and, above all, lively descriptions of the local history and cultural traditions that make each place special.

Editorial Reviews

Review

You''ll find the old, familiar places-Old Barney plus other lighthouses; Luc (The Beachcomber )

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback: 232 pages
• Publisher: Rutgers University Press (March 1, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0813523427
• ISBN-13: 978-0813523422
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.5 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,875,082 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars New Jersey Coastal Heritage: A Guide, March 16, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: New Jersey's Coastal Heritage: A Guide (Paperback)

This is a wonderful, thoughtfully written book that uncovers many fabulous stories of New Jersey's small and large coastal towns and resorts. Every time I read it, I learn something new. The stories of the Morro Castle burning off Spring Lake and the local people who came to help the survivors; the death of President Grant in Long Branch and the people of that town who built a railroad over night to get the ailing president to his favorite spot; the rich histories of Atlantic City, Ocean City, Ocean Grove, and Cape May, there all here. Well researched and written in an easy conversational style that makes each page a pleasure. The author has something to share about lots of little towns along our special seashore -- makes you want to head immediately to the beach! Great photos taken by the author and his brother. Each section points out places of interest and includes hours of operation, phone numbers, costs, etc. Highly recommended!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful adventures for all who love NJ's shores, December 15, 2009

By 

Catherin A. Gumpert "A wild and crazy chick w... (the boonies of New Jersey) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: New Jersey's Coastal Heritage: A Guide (Paperback)

This is Star-Ledger columnist Mark Di Ionno's first book, which won the New Jersey Studies Academic Alliance Award. It is arranged in a county-by-county format that takes into account both of New Jersey's shores - the Atlantic Ocean shore and the Delaware Bay shore. The book was inspired by the New Jersey Coastal Heritage Trail, but encompasses more than just sites designated on the trail. Part travelogue, part history, Di Ionno takes us off beaten paths into fascinating little museums, lighthouses, and small towns. He writes in a friendly, humorous style that is engaging and educational. For parents who want to leaven a little history into family trips, for historians looking for local color, for wanderers who are looking for unusual places to explore, or for folks who want to learn more about New Jersey, this is a fun, informative way to move forward.