Lighthouses: A Pictorial History Of Lighthouses Around The World Download Free (EPUB, PDF)
Crossing open waters has always been a dangerous undertaking, but drawing close to the destination is the most hazardous part of the sailor's journey. Reaching the right harbor during the night and knowing how to avoid razor-sharp rocks or reefs is a task that can defeat the most experienced navigator--often with fatal results. Since earliest times the response to these dangers has been to erect a light-bearing tower, a beacon to sailors that could guide them into port safely. Some of these early lighthouses were merely stone towers built on the shore, but others, like the Colossus of Rhodes--a 110-foot (33m) statue of the sun god Helios, built in 282 B.C. in the Mediterranean--became wonders of the ancient world. Architecturally imposing and cloaked with an air of romance, lighthouses continue to fascinate us. Often there are tales of strange events connected to lonely lighthouses--tragic stories of keepers and ghosts at sea. Minot's Ledge is one such place. At least forty vessels had run aground off this deadly outcrop just southeast of Boston before construction of a tower began in 1847. It didn't last very long. Four years later, the original lighthouse was toppled by a devastating hurricane that washed its two keepers into the sea. Although Minot's Ledge Light is no longer manned, tales persist of eerie sounds, slamming doors, and apparitions of a man, soaking wet, clinging to a rope outside the new tower! This is a chilling reminder that even the most valiant efforts to prevent tragedy can be in vain. Leo Marriott's LIGHTHOUSES, illustrated with more than 100 color photographs, takes readers on a historical and international tour of these wonderful structures. It recounts tales of great courage and tragedy, as well as details of why and how the lighthouses were built.
Hardcover: 128 pages
Publisher: Lyons Press; 1st edition (June 1, 2003)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1856487008
ISBN-13: 978-1585748365
ASIN: 1585748366
Product Dimensions: 12.3 x 9.3 x 0.6 inches
Shipping Weight: 1.9 pounds
Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
Best Sellers Rank: #2,198,156 in Books (See Top 100 in Books) #86 in Books > Arts & Photography > Photography & Video > Architectural > Lighthouses #4165 in Books > Arts & Photography > Photography & Video > Photojournalism & Essays > Photo Essays #5816 in Books > Arts & Photography > Photography & Video > History
This book has superb photographs, yet there is no mention of who the photography editor was. The content is arranged in five chapters describing different geographical areas, but the 1st and 5th chapters are not very representative of their areas. The text and photos are not linked in any way: some of the lighthouses shown are not mentioned in the text and vice versa; some photos are from countries which are not otherwise mentioned at all. The text is very unsystematic, so that the writer's angle on lighthouses and navigational aids remains vague. Snippets on history, technical development, legendary rescues, etc., while interesting in themselves, are all mixed together. The book has no list of references, recommendations for further reading, or index. Most annoyingly, the text has not been properly copy-edited, so that names are misspelt, words missing, usage rules violated, and phrases poorly formulated.If you want a better-written, more professional, yet easy-to-read book on lighthouses, I would suggest F. Ross Holland's Lighthouses (Magna Books 1995). In comparison, Marriott's book can only be recommended by the fact that all its photographs are different from Holland's.
I have an interest in lighthouses and their locations. Although I love the historical information, I enjoy sketching Lighthouses in pencil and painting in water color. This book offers a good look at Lighthouses around the world and the photos are outstanding. I have enjoyed "Lighthouses: A pictorial History of Lighthouses Around the World", very much.
This book came in great condition. I purchased it used. It is informative and has terrific pictures. Overall I am very pleased.
I bought this book for a friend and he was disappointed that there was not more information on the ighthouses shown, he was also expecting more lighthouses that were shown as well.
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