Seacoast Maine, People and Places [signed] [first edition]

Excerpt from the Introduction: The Maine coast, to whose people and places most of these pages are devoted, is something else. An uncut original, you might say, in the old-fashioned meaning that implies the eccentric as much as it does a source and a beginning. The coast itself may be divided into the area south of Portland, Portland itself and Down East. I had no idea, when I undertook this work, of the limitless range and depth of its substance. One could write on Maine forever, so fruitful a land of lore it is and its fascination so infinite. Let it be clear from the start, this is no guidebook for tourists, no campground directory-cum-clam chowder recipes. One will find, I expect, as much enjoyment in George Tice's photographs as I did. Thoughts it's his first confrontation with the scene, George has captured the Maine mystique on film with astonishing insight. Observe Dwight Stanley, Dean Emeritus of Monhegan lobstermen, truculent in mid-conversation behind his cribbage board. The stark beauty of winter tree forms near Deer Isle. A sea cliff on Mount Desert reminding once of the Wailing Wall in Jerusalem. The Shaker sisters at their noontime meal. Lew Dietz reminiscing. Finally, this is an affectionate appreciation of people and places I admire and love for their plain and decent ways, their downright horse sense and their damned integrity.