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In this lucid cultural history of Maine, journalist Woodard
tells the story of the rugged people who inhabit the
state's coastal fishing communities, beginning with the
Scotch-Irish, Germans and migrants from southern New
England who from the early 17th to the early 19th
centuries struggled to make a living in an inhospitable
environment while trying to fend off Indians, religious
zealots, wealthy Bostonian land grabbers and
"rusticators" (vacationers who spawned unwanted
development). Maine's economy prospered for a while
after it seceded from Massachusetts and became a state
in 1820, but between 1860 and 1900 everything collapsed
except for lobstering, which the fishermen managed to
protect with effective conservation practices. Lobsters
became, and remain, the basis of the state's fishing
industry. The author was born and raised in Maine, and
well understands the pride, independence and ability to
work together for the good of the community-(traditions
derived from the early settlers, he says), which helped
the fishermen preserve a resource that is essential to
their livelihood. But, he points out, other factors are now
at play, for the state is being overrun by suburbanites
who don't understand or respect this tradition. Woodard
tries to maintain hope that the old spirit of independence
will save the state's distinctive character, but he can't
help ending on a discouraging note, wondering whether
Maine will soon be just one more suburb in the great East
Coast megalopolis. Woodard (Ocean's End) covers a lot of
ground in his informative book, and he never fails to
make the story engaging. Maps not seen by PW.

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