Amazing to me that growing up on Marthas Vineyard I never learned the history of the place. They should really have a local history class, and this book should be the textbook. My mom bought me this when I was on Marthas Vineyard this year and we were at the Historical Society. Honestly I was expecting a dry book, but this book was actually very well written and enjoyable. It is a thorough and enjoyable book that has the entire history of Marthas Vineyard from the time that White men arrived up until World War II.

In fact I powered through this book, reading it very quickly (especially considering the fact that I have been working 7 days a week for 3 weeks now). The book is well written and interesting, with first hand accounts and some great early photos (not a lot, but enough).

The books includes the history of the Wampanoag indians who were always badly treated, and who didn’t get power in Gay Head until the 1950′s! And Edgartown the first big town which made it’s money from Whaling, but went into decline after that. And of course Tisbury which eventually spilt into West Tisbury and Tisbury (which everyone knows as Vineyard Haven). And of course the history of the Methodist Camp which became Cottage city and later Oak Bluffs, which became the first summer town, and which brought tourism to the Vineyard. I love hearing about the old days, when bands used to play, there were huge hotels and a giant roller skating rink.

The book also has the history of the vineyard through the revolutionary war, world war 1 and world war 2, and the introduction of cars to Marthas Vineyard. It talks about whaling, fishing and especially swordfish which kept many fishermen alive even in the toughest times.

This is such a great book, and a must read for anyone interesting in the Vineyard.