Guardians of the Lights: Stories of US Lighthouse Keepers

By Elinor Dewire and Elinor De Wire

Book Overview

In a charming blend of history and human interest, this book paints a colorful portrait of the lives of a vanished breed-the lighthouse keepers-from the year 1716, when the first lighthouse was established in America, to the early 1980s when automation replaced the last human "guardian of the light." A wealth of material from the archives of the 19th and 20th centuries-primarily letters, diaries, and newspaper accounts-provides vivid stories about lighthouse keeping in this country: the daily work; coping with fog, storms and other catastrophes; legends and ghosts; women's and families' roles; lighthouse children and pets; the natural world around lighthouses; and the diverse characters of those who held the job. Lighthouse keeping was a unique occupation, now obsolete, and this book is a fitting tribute to these tough, usually solitary, and dedicated heroes who kept the lights burning every night, without fail.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1561641197
• ISBN13: 9781561641192
• Release Date: June 1996
• Publisher: Pineapple Press
• Length: 332 Pages
• Weight: 1.21 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 5.9" x 8.9"

Customer Reviews

Well organized lighthouse keeper facts

While this book may remove the romantic notions we have of lighthouse living it will educate and entertain and make you much more appreciative of the keepers of lights. You may even wish to dig in your pockets to help save and restore some of the remaining lights.The book is very well organized and an easy enjoyable read. It includes useful resources as well. A must buy for lighthouse lovers.

Informative, enlightening, well-written

Elinor DeWire's book is a page turner, and that's saying something for non-fiction! As an author researching lighthouses for my next novel, I found this work to be a pot of gold. It got the creative juices flowing. Elinor's writing style is very readable and fast paced. She doesn't bog you down with gory, technical details you'd just rather not read about. It is the first work I've read so far in my research, and certainly not the last thanks to the interest this book sparked. I was sucked headfirst into the waters of the Atlantic, the Pacific, the Gulf, the Great Lakes and the Chesapeake Bay, and Guardians of the Lights never failed to illumine my mind with fascinating facts and tenderhearted tales of real people that took their jobs seriously. It's obvious Elinor does the same. You won't be disappointed with this one.

Great resource for research and human interest.

I am doing personal research for a writing project. This book was an excellent resource. I would love to be able to read the other DeWire book on Florida lighthouses. I live in New Orleans and hope to tour the lighthouses in the state of Florida and the Gulf Coast. I also would love to talk with the author or know how to contact her. rivkah@worldnet.att.net

Well researched and written. Lots of photos, mostly B & W.

This is a great book for lighthouse lovers. The accounts of the brave keepers of U.S. lighthouses will inspire respect for all the men and women who took up the service. I enjoyed reading this book and appreciated the photographs throughout