I’m happy to say that today my sixth book comes out, The Governors Island Explorer’s Guide. I started writing it in 2010, but put it aside because there were so many changes taking place on the Island. If it had come out a few years ago, it would already have been out of date. But thanks to my editor at Globe Pequot, Amy Lyons, we got the book completed in near-record time. I’m glad the book is being put out in February, so that by the time the Island opens to the public on May 27, it will be in bookstores.
I was very lucky to have the cooperation of The Trust For Governors Island and the Governors Island National Monument (my facts are right). I put as much information into the book as possible, including GPS locations, so it should be a useful book for everyone from families with kids to the Civil War scholar. I had a lot of fun writing this book, probably the most “fun” of any of my other books, because I was going out time and again to see the beautiful Island. But I also found out some incredibly interesting facts, such as the locations of the old cemeteries (long since removed) and the stories behind the buildings and construction.
New book published by Globe Pequot Press
The book is distributed through National Book Network and orders can be placed through them. Eastern National will distribute the book in the bookstore on Governors Island. It’s available via all online retailers (see below).
For many, going to Governors Island is a bit of a mystery. By writing this book, which includes just about every building on the island, as well as the complete history of it dating to the pre-colonial era, I hope to provide a guide that can be used by everyone.
Table of Contents
Tour 1: Castle Williams and Army Garrison Life
Tour 2: Fort Jay and the New York Arsenal
Tour 3: Nolan Park and Officer Homes
Tour 4: The South Island and the Hills
Tour 5: Bicycle Tour Loop
There are detailed maps exclusively created for the book, along with the GPS locations of all of the spots in the book. It has a special section devoted to the new development on the Island, The Hills.
I have been visiting Governors Island since it first opened to the public on a strictly limited basis in 2003. I watched in amazement as the island exploded in popularity over the next twelve years. As the island was renovated all of New York came to embrace Governors Island and appreciate what it means as a park and historic landmark.
This will be the first guidebook written just about the island. It follows the work my friend Janice Taylor and I started in 2010 with the first iPhone app for Governors Island. As the island changed since the app came out, I worked on updates and collecting material for the new book.
I will continue to maintain my Governors Island blog that began in 2010, as well as my Twitter feed, @GovIslandGuide.
Since I am a licensed New York City Sightseeing Guide as well as a published author, I wrote this book that I believe will be informative, educational, researched, and most importantly, useful.
If you have questions about the book, please drop me a note.
Ordering Information: