This is a great, family-oriented book. Unlike many guides to Maine, which generally seem to be oriented to the bed and breakfast, antique browsing set, this book has a much broader range. It's also more down to earth. Its breezy, casual narrative style, and well laid out pages make it a pleasure to read. It's told me more about Mt. Desert Island and the surrounding area than any other book I've seen.

ANYBODY (and for once I mean it) who is at all interested in the Maine coast line, plans to visit Maine, has dreamed of cruising the Maine Archipelago, is interested in history and ecology of the northeastertn U.S. etc. owes it to themselves to order this book (and indeed the whole series). Lovingly written, beautifully illustrated with impossible-to-find historical photos and maps, this series by the greatest living (and probably greatest ever) expert on the history of Maine islands belongs in your boat, belongs on your desk, belongs by your bed. I try never to go Downeast without a stack o' Mclane (much to the bemusement of my skipper) and have spent mant happy afternoons on islands with my students working out just from where a particular photo was taken a century earlier. Beautifully written, with a nice mix of stories, geneologies, and a real eye for the land, this has been literally the "life's work" of a wonderful couple. All of us who know, study, and love these islands have a deep debt of gratitude to the McLanes.

The crisp blue waters that fill the pale seaweed laden rocks of the Maine coast are simply breathtaking. This book is yet another example of how words just can't do justice. The area covered in this title is some of the hardest to write about without relying on amazing facts of the historical importance of the Maine coastline, yet the author does an outstanding job of putting the historical, artistic and wildlife qualities into context. As a guide for the area and for pleasure reading, this book has exemplary qualities to keep you interested from front cover to the last page. The one shortfall that I found was there wasn't enough of it, which is probably good since the point of the book is for you get out and see this "Gods Country" for yourself! Overall I can completely recommend this book if you are a "Mainiac," or just on vacation in this part of the world (believe me you'll feel like you're out of the USA). Read it, love it, put it down and experience it !