The Enduring Shore: A History of Cape Cod, Martha's Vineyard, and Nantucket

by Paul Schneider

Book Overview

Even before the Pilgrims landed in 1620, Cape Cod and its islands promised paradise to visitors, both native and European. In Paul Schneider's sure hands, the story of this waterland created by glaciers and refined by storms and tides -- and of its varied inhabitants -- becomes an irresistible biography of a place. Cape Cod's Great Beach, Martha's Vineyard, and Nantucket are romantic stops on Schneider's roughly chronological human and natural history...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0805067345
• ISBN13: 9780805067347
• Release Date: May 2001
• Publisher: St. Martins Press-3PL
• Length: 384 Pages
• Weight: 1.00 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.1" x 6.0" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

Superb history of Cape Cod and Islands

A wonderful book, nicely written; it's really hard to put it down. I found most fascinating the details of the native American Indians that lived in this region - the huge number of crops they grew (it will astonish you), how they practiced land conservation, and details that will truly surprise you in many ways. And increase your knowledge of these interesting lands.

MUCH MORE THAN JUST A REGIONAL HISTORY

As a regular visitor to the Vinyard - I grabbed this book to get more depth in understanding the local history. I was pleasantly surprised to find a book that provides insights into early American history that would be of value to any one with interests in the topic. Undermining the "myth" of the "new" world's "virgin forests", Schneider's description of the impact of European explorers on the native populations and the profound consequences of these early interactions a good CENTURY BEFORE the Mayflower -- explodes the simplistic history still understood by many. His description of the robust, healthy natives whose populations were devastated long before the sickly, weak European's began settlements - will turn history on its head for many. It provides a great complement to anyone interested in books such as "Guns, Germs and Steel" by Jared Diamond. I also found his descriptions of issues such as the early development of the whaling industry to be of interest to a far broader audience than one would assume for a "regional" history book. I found his writing style engaging and was frequently amused with his turns of phrase - which was a plus I did not anticipate from on local history book. Though others have been critical of how he weaved his personal, contemporary experiences with the historical narrative - I found it rather engaging -- though these parts of the book may be of more interest to local readers and less engaging for those with out a personal tie to the region. In short, I would highly recommend this to anyone with an interest in early American history - especially with an ecological/anthropological bent. Especially if one has never been exposed to ideas presented in books such as "Changes to the Land". If you are traveling or live anywhere near the southern/central New England coast or have an interest in colonial history of the northeast - this is a must read for you.

Finally a readable book for local history

The amazing deluge of tourism each summer truly ignores the elaborate history of some of New England's most beautiful coastline. For many of us who live or travel there when time and traffic allow there is this fine book to fill in the grey areas.Unfortunately, regional history is not as popular to most readers as a spy novel or biography. This book bounces between the author's journeys in Kayak along the islands and coastline and the chronological history of travellers and settlers to the coast. There are humorous accounts of indian encounters, misguided settlers and an all too unpleasant tale of life aboard the Mayflower. Not all as we had once been told in grammar school.The endnotes are substantial and the book can at times seem more academic than entertaining. However, I passed this on to two friends and we have laughed and shared our favorite stories over beverages. A good book and a nice read.

A brilliant book and fun to read

I am a person who has to be "grabbed" and held by a book, or my life takes over and the book gets lost. Paul Schneider's book not only grabs you, it sings to you. It's more than a history; it's a love song to sea and land, and to the weird and complicated people who have made their lives on and out of Cape Cod and the Islands. What I love most about this book is how it goes into history and out again into the landscape. It allows me to be, in my time, intimate with the wind and waves. Schneider is a very funny writer -- the prose keeps you reading at a good clip. But he's also a poet. This book covers the range of emotions and human interest, it holds you with its passion and its love for the land.

Brilliantly conceived, gorgeously written

If you love the Cape, this book will become a part of you. Its combination of history and personal experience is perfect. A fabulous read and a marvelous gift.