Customer Reviews

Rondout: A Hudson River Port

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I was born and grew to adulthood in the area and can remember fondly the Rondout Creek. I had the same experiences as the author, in fact his father, uncle and my father were the best of friends. This is an excellent history of the area that has now been completely changed and renewed. The confluence of the Hudson and the Rondout is steeped in history from the days of the Dutch Settlement. Anyone interested in the Hudson River and it's ports should read this book. Bob Steuding's style of writing makes it accessable to everyone.

Two years ago I volunteered to do tours of Rondout, Kingston for the Friends of Historic Kingston. I read the book before the first tour I gave in order to make sure I had enough background. Since the tours are offered on the last Saturday of the month from May through October I had time to learn more and more by consulting the books cited in the back of Steuding's book (five full pages) and the "additional sources" (eight more pages!). It is tough to stuff 400 years of history into a small book but Steuding has done a great job and a service to all of us who live and love the Rondout. The "Album of Old Rondout" in the center of the book with many of the Jack F. Matthews collection of old photographs is a huge bonus. Thank you Bob Steuding.