New Jersey Books

This is a charming, easy-to-read account of one young girl's encounter with the American Revolution. All my children loved it - even the ones for whom it was too "young"! A well-told tale based on an actual event. This is a great story for putting your kids "in the shoes" of those who lived during the founding of our country.

I think this is the only book we've ever found in the Beginning Reader section that deals with a real, historical subject.

My daughter read it to herself and loved it.

I also read through it and found it to be a fascinating children's book.

This book is quite unique & even better than the author's previous book on the rail-trails of New England. Three things distinguish this book from others:

(1) Insight into the history of the railroads.

(2) Useful & reliable descriptions of each trail.

(3) Needs of both cyclists & hikers are addressed.

A must-have for any rail-trail rider or hiker who wondered about the railroads that once ruled the trail.

For anyone interested in either discovering new trails to ride your bike on in new jersey or someone with an interest in rail
roading in the garden state the book is highly recommended. I live in northern n.j. (west paterson) and have taken the book with me on rides through some of the longer northern n.j. trails and have found the directions to the trail the sites to see and the remaining RR structures along the trail described very accurately. (Although the author seems to have missed mentioning the RR mile markers remaining on the essex branch by my house! ) Anyway i am 33 y.o. and i find that these long trails are sometimes a nice break from the more typical mtn. biking type of riding i also like to do in some of new jersey's other state parks. Dont get me wrong though ,these trails can certainly provide a great workout too. I recommend the southern section of the columbia trail through ken lockwood gorge as the nicest area in northern n.j.

In the first weeks of owning the book, I have done 3 of the hikes so far, Governor's Mtn, Manor circular, and Carris Hill, although I was already familiar with the parking lots, trailheads through many years mtn biking and hiking in the area, I found the descriptions to be top notch and accurate. Using those descriptions and a simple NYNJTC topo map (with GPS coordinates!) navigation is a snap. GPS is practically unnecessary since most of the trails are well marked. Even though I have only done three of the trips in there, I am very familiar with most of the places mentioned there, the Palisades, Wawayanda, Jockey Hollow, etc. as I've hiked or biked there before I got this book. The book is an excellent day trip for the beginner to intermediate day tripper, fits nicely even in small camelback type devices. My only wish is they included the trail blaze color in the maps they provide, makes for faster quick reference when hiking.

Jay

I love the way this book is organized. Rather than describe a series of hiking opportunities in New Jersey, the authors carefully culled through hundreds of trails and picked out the most exciting hikes in the state. They even patched together multiple trails in within most parks so you would get the best bang out of the time invested. The descriptions are accurate and fun to read. I tried three of them so far and look forward to doing the other 47.

Christopher Brooks surely did his homework in writing 60 Hikes within 60 Miles: New York City: with northern New Jersey, southwestern Connecticut, and western Long Island. The details on the many hikes in the Tri State area are very helpful. One can easily trace around the suggested trails that Brooks provides. Also Brooks adds a little history to many of the recommended trails.

He gives equal emphasis to New Jersey, Connecticut, Long Island, and the Hudson Region. Also a comprehensive index is provided so the reader can easily distinguish flat hikes from vigorous climbs to ones to bring the children on. Every base is covered as this book is a fantastic guide for anyone looking to explore new hiking trails in the New York area.

You would think that a hike in New York City would take you from say Central Park to Battery Park along the sidewalks. To my surprise, the Brooks have found all of these hikes within a reasonable distance from the city. As a for instance, the Pelham Bay Park is 2,766 acres in size with 13 miles of shoreline. It's also reachable by public transport. (Take the #6 train followed by the Bx29 bus.) The hiking there is flat, shoreline and all that. Or there's Norvin Green where you'll need sturdy hiking shoes, and find multiple deep-water streams to cross in a 9.3 mile up and down trail. Other hikes include wildlife refuges, state forests, national recreation areas, swamps, mountains, rivers, waterfalls, ocean shores. You can get away from the concrete.

As a book, the layout makes it easy to find things. The overall maps lead you to the general area you may find interesting. The descriptions of each of the 60 hikes includes a description, a detailed map of each, elevation profile, and directions - usually by automobile and public transport. As the back cover says, If you live near NYC, get it.

This is a masterful political and economic study of the Revolution, from the point of view of a Signer of the Declaration of Independence who was an advocate of the middle and working classes. It contains economic, social and political ideas still worth considering. Abraham Clark represents a proud and unique tradition in America in which the idea of equality is central. He feared tyranny in the form of the wealthy gaining power over the poor, and institutions over the individual. As the author states, he fought every form of privilege: social, military, economic or political. His economic vision and ability made him a major player in shaping our new country.

This is a masterful study of the political and economic undercurrents of the American Revolution. Abraham Clark, a Signer of the Declaration of Independence from New Jersey, was an advocate for the middle and working classes. He fought against privilege in every form, often pitting himself against the most powerful, and wealthy, leaders of the Revolution. He feared that America would establish a country in which the domination of the poor by the wealthy would continue. He was also concerned that "new sources of tyranny" would "arise from American centers of power." His economic ideas and initiatives centered on "leveling the playing field" and are still worth considering. Most of his work was in this area, both on the national and state level. Called an "excentric genius" by one of his enemies, Clark's actions were extremely popular among the people of his district. He was held publicly accountable for every major bill which passed during his tenure in the state legislature. As a member of Congress, he was an ardent supporter of James Madison's policies and measures in the area of commerce.

"The Alchemy of Loss" is a compelling book about one woman's loss on September 11th and how that event ultimately transformed her life. Abigail candidly shares her journey from the first moment of realization that her life would never be the same again through the grief of her loss and dealing with the reality of her new role as head of a family of three, forging ahead to make choices and create a life that would allow her to heal and her children to be fulfilled, happy people.

I'm thankful that Abigail chose to open her heart and share her story...I think it's an important one for everyone to read, not just to be reminded to embrace the moment and live life to the fullest, but to know that change, no matter how painful, always has the potential to create growth, goodness, and hope.

A first-hand account of a Canadian woman with two young children coping with the death of her husband in the World Trade Centre destruction.

It starts with a typical day in a typical family with the author Abigail Carter preoccupied with getting one of her two young children ready to catch a school bus. The phone rings and it is her husband telling her he thinks a bomb may have gone off at the World Trade Centre. Still focused with getting her daughter to the bus in time, Ms. Carter dismisses the news as just another non-event in the big city and responds to her husband as such.

Rushing out of the door to get to the bus, she does not realize that she has heard her husband's voice for the last time.

The book highlights the real pain and tragedy for thousands of ordinary individuals sometimes forgotten in the media coverage of national interests, formal memorial ceremonies etc.
Ms. Carter tells it as it is, without falling into the trap of sentimentalism or manipulation of emotions. The story, simply told, naturally tears at the reader's heart. I did not have a dry eye for the first 50 pages. But, as is always true in such cases, the tragedy is mixed with times of laughter, humour and wit about the absurdities of everyday life.

It is not a book trying to make a point, or a lesson in how to survive the death of a loved one. It does, however, provide an opportunity to understand, at least partially, ( I feel no-one not having gone though this could possibly fully understand what it must be like) the aftermath of such a tragedy. The book highlights the depths of despair and and the incredible will to survive in ordinary individuals facing extraordinary challenges. It also reminds us that the World Trade Centre collapse was, and continues to be, an unimaginable tragedy for thousands and thousands of unknown individuals.

This book conveys the words of a young Union soldier who was captured and taken to the Southern prison they called Andersonville. This detailed account taken from the diary of Charles Hopkins tells a story of survival and horror. It makes you imagine trying to survive in a disease riddened prison with barely any food or fresh water. Read this book because it will be one you will never forget

This first person account provides a wealth of insight into the day-to-day rituals of "life" in one of the most forbidding Civil War prison camps. Throughout his trials, however, Charles Hopkins never loses his faith in humanity and even manages to endure with a sense of humor. His uplifting story bears testimony to the strength of the human spirit under fire. Hopkins' style of writing is descriptive and conversational, and works well with the enlightening information and photos supplied by editors Mr. Styple and Mr. Fitzpatrick. I highly recommend this book to all who are interested in the Civil War and in becoming acquainted with one of its many unsung heroes.

I've used previous editions of this guide, but the 16th edition includes validated GPS data and is certainly the best of a very good lot. The package includes a guidebook, with detailed trail descriptions for the 174 miles from Kent, Connecticut, to Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area on the New Jersey-Pennsylvania line. There are also four waterproof color maps (scale: 1 inch = 1 mile) which show the A.T., other trails in the area, and roads used to access the trails.

My favorite hike in this book includes the Agony Grind on the west side of the entrance to Harriman Park, just off Old 17. There's a short, fairly steep scramble up to a long ridge walk above Greenwood Lake with great views -- you can often see hawks flapping across the lake far below you, and then rising effortless just out of reach on the thermals formed by the ridge. It's a rewarding out and in hike, of whatever length you have time for. Save a little energy for a careful descent at the end of the hike.

There are other excellent local guides to New Jersey and New York trails. The New Jersey Walk Book: A Companion to the New York Walk Book and the New York Walk Book: A Companion to the New Jersey Walk Book are the pick of the litter.

Nonetheless it is romantic to use one of a series covering the entire Appalachian Trail. One can pretend to be an End to Ender of this most famous of our trails.

Robert C. Ross 2007 2008

If the reader is really serious about hiking the A.T., specifically the N.Y. /N.J. section, this book, along with the 6 very detailed maps that come with it, will be a tremendous help, with all the relevant information all packed into a (large)pocket-sized paperback.
In addition to very interesting facts behind the history and the beginnings of the AT, the information found in this book will guide you, almost hold your hand along the trail and, it will then be up to you to listen to the wisdom, advice and warnings found here or, ignore them and find out -the hard way- why only 10% of the people who attempt to hike the Appalachian Trail will finish it in a year.
Where can you find water?; where are you not allowed to camp?; is it safe to hike alone?;can you take your dog with you? (NO!). Statistically speaking, did you know that you will be safer hiking the entire A.T., than walking the streets of most large american cities?
These and many other topics, too numerous to mention here, are dealt with in this volume.
Having all of that information ahead of time will make it (just a little) easier to put on your backpack, lug your 3 liters of water needed daily, consume the 4000 calories of food needed every day and.....in about 6 months time you will have arrived at your destination, very tired, much thinner and, much wiser.

Through her analysis we learn about astrology, the exciting lives of those she writes about, and how the stars will determine events - fortunately or unfortunately for some. I've consulted with Ms. deJersey and she has offered not only her advice based on her readings, but also personal coaching. I appreciated both - I hope she writes another book!

This insightful book of how astrology helped in the lives of people who were significantly influenced and guided was a real pleasure to read. As a student of astrology I am grateful to read this important book written by a real, honest to God astrologer from the old school. I very much appreciated the way she invited me into her world and narrated events in her life. I loved the beautiful marriage of personal insights and factual astrological interpretations and facts. I am very very interested to know more about this author - is she still around, does she have a web-site, etc.

I bought this book expecting it to be a description of intersting stores and shops, perhaps some places to eat alnog some of the secondary highways of NJ. What I got was the personal history of the author as well as a history of NJ. It was a fascinating read as DiLonno takes out along several of the "500" roads of NJ, which are secondary hgihways designed to supplement the larger, faster roads of the state. DiLonno tells us about the towns you pass thru and described the contrast from one end to the other end, and tells us tales from his own past when he traveled some of these roads with his father. These personal details as well as the interesting and obscure facts about the towns is both fascianting and illuminating. I expected a guide to where to shop and eat and instead I got a history of NJ.

I throughly enjoyed the book, but I must say that B&W pictures suffer from being (IMHO) not crisp or sharp enough, a tad on the dark side and not having enough depth of field. That's not to say they're bad, but I always believe B&W pictures, to be effective need to be the things I mentioned above, and these weren't. The color pictures are good, but there aren;t enough. (Disclaimer: I actually love B&W, and have nothing against it)

One negative: There are 17 roads profiled, in a book of 137 pages so that's roughly 8 pages per road. For some reason he devotes less then one page each to Route 501 & 514. I'm not sure why but since 501 is the only road in the book that goes thru Bergen County, I was disapointed that it was glossed over, especially since Bergen County is home to the earliest colonial settlements anywhere, and since a lot of important history took place here.

Otherwise, an excellent, thought provoking book.

This book is full with interesting facts, tidbits and general information regarding New Jersey's many highways and backroads that make up this great state. DiIonno did a great job putting this book together and I recommend anyone interested in the history and many tidbits about New Jersey to buy this book!