Customer Reviews

The Outer Banks

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Anthony Bailey admired the Outer Banks from his native Britain, but was sorely disappointed upon first arrival. No bucolic, unspoiled nature spots, but strip malls, traffic jams and houses built to the ocean edge. But he gave the Banks a chance and over the next few weeks traveled from Corolla to Nag's Head to Ocracoke to Harker's Island. While doing so he gained an appreciation for the region's unique natural beauty, culture and history. Bailey effortlessly weaves nature writing and adventure with history and resident profiles to document the broad social trends affecting Outer Banks culture. Recommended for anyone with an interest in the area.

The words Outer Banks appealed to the writer's imagination. North Carolina was celebrating its four hundred year anniversary, 1984-1987. He determined to visit and write of his findings. Facts he discovered lace his observations. The seat of Dare County is Manteo. The coast is called the Graveyard of the Atlantic. Nags Head Woods, managed by the Nature Conservancy, has been preserved at the edge of the Roanoke Sound. There is a unique ecosystem, a blending of Southern and Northern species.

There are conflicts between the forces of development and conservation. The Wright Brothers tried out gliders during their first three seasons at Kill Devil Hills. The memorial was built in the 30's. David Stick's father had the idea of establishing the Cape Hatteras National Seashore. THE LOST COLONY began performances in 1937.

Anthony Bailey stayed in Manteo during Hurricane Gloria. The Outer Banks is inlet prone. The National Seashore is eighty miles long. It occupies the better part of Bodie, Pea, Hatteras and Okracoke Islands. A number of people are employed by the Park Service. The National Seashore was opened in 1958. It was believed that tourism was needed to save the Outer Banks from poverty. (The Civilian Conservation Corps had done dune building in the 30's.) There are over two hundred species of water fowl.

All in all this is a temperate, level appreciation of the joys of the Outer Banks. The author's treatment of his subject is both comprehensive and endearing.

Although Bailey states the facts in his book THE OUTER BANKS,
He should not have constructed this GEM on his first trip to the banks. Some of the places are not described well, as a tourist would who just rode by in a speeding car at dusk. Love and knowlege for the banks is deep. Alot deeper than one can jot down, or interview locals, or record in one trip. David Stick
or Charles Whedbee are true BANKERS. If you want to know the banks read theirs. You would be as well off to grab the latest

week long, first time visiting tourist to tell you about his vacation as to buy this. Bailey writes well, but, needs more expertise on this subject. I'm not an expert on the BANKS, but more than once during this read I found my head shaking, thinking "What is he thinking". But this book is largely his opinion on foods, state of government, and people of the banks.
But then again, I love OBX, and when there, I do not want to go home. I say STICK WITH STICK OR WHEDBEE!!