This is a great little book that unabashedly extols the glories of the Hudson River Valley from the 17th century to the 20th Century.
I always like reading old books because you can see the differences in how a subject is viewed as well as what “facts” might have been disproved after publication. You also get a snapshot of the time when a book was written. This book was published in 1976 and the bicentennial was very much on the minds of many writers, and not just historians. There is much nostalgia in evidence here and there are some great old illustrations and photos. Since the Hudson River Valley was an area of intense activity during the American Revolution, there are a good number of pages devoted to this subject. It was interesting to read this book at the same time as Nathaniel Philbrick’s In the Hurricane’s Eye. Also covered in some detail are the Dutch settlers, steamship travel, the Hudson River School and railroads as well as historical events and places.
The only drawback is realizing how many great places and sights there are yet to be seen on your limited time off. A lifetime could be spent just touring everything of interest.
This is a fun little book, no heavy thinking required. Pull up a comfy chair, get some great cider or English tea and maybe a big slice of Dutch Apple Pie. Make a list of the places you want to see when winter finally comes to an end in the Hudson Valley. ( )