Book Description
Who was Augustine Fresnel? What is a clamshell lens? When was the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse moved inland? Where were screw-pile towers used? What is a daymark?

Lighthouse lovers and anyone interested in maritime history will find the answers to these and hundreds of other questions in The Encyclopedia of Lighthouses. This one-stop resource offers an amazing wealth of information about the history of lighthouses, key people associated with lighthouses, lighthouse technology, lighthouse organizations, and specific lighthouses.

Organized in traditional encyclopedia style, this predominantly A-to-Z compendium of information allows readers to easily find the historical fact, famous lighthouse keeper, or lighthouse mechanism they are looking for and then read the pertinent details about that topic. Following is a small sampling of entries covered:

Breakwater light
Caisson
Hyper-radiant lens
Winslow Lewis
Lightships
Mercury bath
Stephen Pleasonton
Rear range light
Steamer lantern
Eclipsing light

In addition, a directory of more than 150 lighthouses throughout the world provides key data--date built, tower height, elevation, type of optic, when automated--about each lighthouse plus full details about the lighthouse's history, wartime significance, and current restoration.

Hundreds of beautiful full-color photos of the lighthouses enhance the text, and fascinating archival images of lighthouse keepers, famous lighthouses as they looked in their early years, hurricane wreckage, and other events of historic significance help bring to life the dramatic lighthouse story. Sidebars on subjects such as lighthouse preservation, lighthouse collectibles, and photographing lighthouses also enliven the main text.

This authoritative, visually lavish reference is the only one of its kind and an essential resource for anyone interested in lighthouses.


From the Back Cover
Lighthouses! For more than two thousand years, these maritime beacons have marked the earth's most dangerous shores, guiding ships to safety and offering hope to sailors lost at sea. Today, lighthouses themselves need saving, and people everywhere are working to preserve these beautiful and inspiring monuments to our rich maritime heritage.
Packed with information, drama, and stunning color and archival photographs, The Lighthouse Encyclopedia is your one-stop resource for all things lighthouse related. Here you'll find authoritative answers to hundreds of questions about lighthouses. And you'll read about the builders and innovators, mariners and keepers, heroes and heroines who are part of the lighthouse story.
Look inside for: Lighthouses through history ¿ an in-depth look at the history of light towers, from the Pharos in ancient Egypt to the Cape Hatteras tower recently saved from destruction; A lighthouse lexicon ¿ an alphabetical guide to the people, places, events, and ingenious equipment that make lighthouses special; Lighthouses around the world ¿ facts and photos of every lighthouse you ever wanted to visit ¿ and many you never even knew existed ¿ in eighteen different countries.
Whether you're a lighthouse lover, maritime expert, history buff, or casual reader, The Lighthouse Encyclopedia is your one-stop lighthouse reference.


About the Author
Ray Jones is the co-author of fourteen best-selling books about lighthouses and several other books on Americana and American history. He has served as an editor at Time-Life Books, as founding editor of Albuquerque Living magazine, writing coach at Southern Living magazine, and founder and publisher of Country Roads Press. He lives in Pebble Beach, California.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

Lighthouses! For more than two thousand years, these maritime beacons have marked the earth's most dangerous shores, guiding ships to safety and offering hope to sailors lost at sea. Today, lighthouses themselves need saving, and people everywhere are working to preserve these beautiful and inspiring monuments to our rich maritime heritage.sPacked with information, drama, and stunning color and archival photographs, The Lighthouse Encyclopedia is your one-stop resource for all things lighthouse related. Here you'll find authoritative answers to hundreds of questions about lighthouses. And you'll read about the builders and innovators, mariners and keepers, heroes and heroines who are part of the lighthouse story.

SYNOPSIS