American Lighthouses (Lighthouse Series) [ILLUSTRATED] (Paperback)

~ Ray Jones (Author), (Photographer)

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

Join lighthouse experts Ray Jones and Bruce Roberts on a tour of the beautiful and historic navigational beacons dotting the coasts and lakes of the United States. This fully illustrated, one-of-a-kind handbook describes more than 450 lighthouses, detailing their history and architecture and providing full information on visiting or just viewing them. Included are many 'endangered' lights, threatened by erosion or lack of funding, and 'ghost' lights, which are no longer standing. In addition, an informative introduction provides an engaging overview of lighthouse history as well as insight into the life of lighthouse keepers and surprising facts about the amazing Fresnel lenses. For lighthouse lovers and maritime history buffs alike, this is the definitive reference to the lighthouses of America.

Product Details

• Paperback: 272 pages
• Publisher: Globe Pequot; 1st edition (September 1, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0762703245
• ISBN-13: 978-0762703241
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.3 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,701,252 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

21 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars informative guide on American lighthouses, October 12, 1999

By A Customer

After seeing the "move" of the Hatteras lighthouse this summer, we became intrigued by lighthouses. On the trip home, we made special effort to see as many as we could. This book helped us learn more about the lighthouses we were seeing. An excellent book for a short synopsis on these wonderful structures. I'm buying a second copy for my parents.

20 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Exactly what I was looking for!!!, February 9, 1999

By	[e-mail] (Wichita, Kansas USA) - See all my reviews

American Lighthouses: A Comprehensive Guide was exactly what I was looking for. A way to find lighthouses during my travels. My AAA tour books and maps did not mark the lights and I found I had driven very close by some of the oldest and most beautiful lights in the country without even knowing it. Not again with this guild, divided up by states, I should not miss of the majestic old lighthouses.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Just Enough to Whet Your Appetite, January 28, 2005

By	A.Trendl HungarianBookstore.com "What is your... (Glen Ellyn, IL USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)

"American Lighthouses (Lighthouses)" by Ray Jones begins with a lengthy introduction about the romance of lighthouses. Isn't that the point of our enjoyment? The history and tales, and the architecture all draw us to wonder about the tall, bold and previously bright buildings. That's the approach Jones assumes throughout the book.

Filled with color photos of both recent and old lighthouses, Jones takes us through each region of the United States. He discusses 450 lighthouses in all, presenting facts about each. We learn the year it was built and, in some instances, rebuilt. He gives us travel information as well, helping us find our way there with general directions or a location.

This could be a primer for the average lighthouse seeker, but it is not the complete word on any of them. A book could be written on each, and we only get a few paragraphs. Most of us will be happy with that. If you need more, look at the more specialized volumes for each region or state.

The writing is crisp and interesting, but never scholarly. It is accessible in the same way as a short encyclopedic entry would be.

The pages are made of a stiffer glossy paper, and the dimensions of the book are awkward. It does not lay flat, and in general is hard to open. This production makes reading difficult, even though it is otherwise very attractive.

A newer edition has since been published and should be checked out, but if the price is low, this is still an adequate choice. "American Lighthouses (Lighthouses)" by Ray Jones will help as you vacation through the US.

Anthony Trendl
editor, HungarianBookstore.com