The Tides of Barnegat [Hardcover]

Francis Hopkinson Smith (Author), John Bailey Lloyd (Author), contributor (Author), George Wright (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 1, 2001

''The Tides of Barnegat is a romance spanning a twenty year period from 1854 until 1874, with a highly melodramatic final chapter involving the newly organized U.S. Lifesaving Service in a tragic ship wreck....This scene of high drama comes as the resolution of a tightly constructed novel by a remarkable man.'' -- from the new Introduction by John Bailey Lloyd. Out of print for more than half a century, the text and original illustrations are carefully reproduced here in a reprint of this classic 1906 seashore novel by F. Hopkinson Smith. In a Victorian style capturing the gentle ebbing and the fierce moods of the ocean -- and the moods and personalities of the people living along its shores -- Smith's novel is a rich portrait of its time along the coast. It ''makes you yearn for the time when things such as honor and duty and responsibility and commitment were actually taken seriously,'' said one reviewer. The novel follows two sisters, Jane and Lucy Cobden. Jane, the older by ten years, had vowed alongside her father's deathbed long before to raise and protect Lucy. When Lucy returns from boarding school in Philadelphia, Jane gives her younger sister all she needs and desires with a caring hand, but does not find in Lucy the same forthright and dutiful character that she possesses. Misled by her love, Jane protects Lucy at the expense of her own life's happiness and a marriage to a man who loves her. A new introduction by Jersey Shore historian John Bailey Lloyd explains some of the peculiarities of the novel, as well as keying the reader in to what is below the surface of all the strident virtue -- strength commingled with human weakness -- and provides a fascinating look at the author, a remarkable man who was a marine engineer, builder of lighthouses, writer, and fine artist. This is high quality reprint of the original book. (It is not a print-on-demand facsimile edition.) This limited edition, smythe-sewn hardcover carefully recreates the distinctive original gold foil and white dye stamping on a deep teal case. (It is published simultaneously with a trade paper edition ISBN 0-945582-82-X. The softcover features an original oil painting by Jersey Shore artist Marilyn Ganss.) Both editions are complete reprints, featuring the 12 original illustrations by George Wright.

Editorial Reviews

Review

''The denouoement -- as rousing finales used to be called in those days -- is the gripping account of a nasty northeaster and a nightlong rescue operation to save a shoaling ship and its crew. It carries you along as relentlessly as 'The Perfect Storm' did, made more page-turning because you know the tale-ends of all the plot lines are being battered and the fates of the characters shaped by the winds and waves.'' --The SandPaper

It will ''catch you off guard and capture your interest….The Tides of Barnegat is a worthwhile read because it tells a grand story in true potboiler fashion. This makes it a book that card-carrying he-men shouldn't be afraid to pick up.'' --The Beachcomber

From the Publisher

The hardcover and trade paper books are being published simultaneously.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 422 pages
• Publisher: Down The Shore Publishing (August 1, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0945582838
• ISBN-13: 978-0945582830
• Product Dimensions: 7.6 x 5.2 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #10,199,958 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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