Visit the Road Scholar Bookshop
You can find many of the books we recommend at the Road Scholar store on
bookshop.org, a website that supports local bookstores.
The Perfect Storm, A True Story of Men Against the Sea
by Sebastian Junger
A gripping, now-famous blow-by-blow account of a 1991 disaster at sea. Junger reconstructs the final hours of six men aboard a 72-foot swordfish boat in the North Atlantic, battling against a torrential storm.
The Big House, A Century in the Life of an American Summer Home
by George Howe Colt
The author's personal tribute to the elaborately eccentric home where he spent most of his summers. This poignant memoir records 100 of history of the house, which was perched on a Cape Cod promontory overlooking Buzzards Bay.
Cape Cod
by Henry David Thoreau
The classic work, accompanied by Scot Miller's stunning photography of beach scenes which may have inspired Thoreau.
Time and Tide: A Walk Through Nantucket
by Frank Conroy
An impressionistic memoir and account of life and love on the island of Nantucket. Conroy first visited as a 19-year-old in 1955.
The Enduring Shore: A History of Cape Cod, Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket
by Paul Schneider
The natural and human history of Cape Cod and its surrounding islands, as written by a resident of Martha's Vineyard.
Ahab's Wife
by Sena Jeter Naslund
A first-rate example of historical fiction, this absorbing, lyrical and well-researched novel was inspired by Melville, Nantucket whaling and 19th-century America.
Cod, A Biography of a Fish That Changed the World
by Mark Kurlansky
A sparkling extended essay on the cod in the tradition of Lopez or McPhee, looking at the importance of the fish to cuisine, commerce and history, throwing light on Viking voyages, the Hanseatic League, and both Scnadinavian and Canadian economic history.
Away Off Shore, Nantucket Island and Its People
by Diane Swartz, Nathaniel Philbrick
A cultural history of Nantucket and, most notably, of its storied whaling industry. This book is informed and entertainingly written, with a strong slant toward telling the stories of individuals.
Against the Tide, The Fate of the New England Fisherman
by Richard Adams Carey
A discussion of the crisis that faces the New England fishing industry from a journalist who spent a year among the fishermen of Cape Cod.
Cape Cod Map
by Rand McNally Maps
A map of Cape Cod, including Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket Island, at a scale of 1:107,000.
The Whale
by Philip Hoare
A deeply engaging meditation on all things whale. Philip Hoare saves his special love and attention for the sperm whale -- not only via a beautiful literary analysis of Moby Dick -- but also by indulging in a childhood fantasy and actually swimming with the whales in the Azores.
Blues
by John Hersey
In this classic novella, Hersey turns a tale of a young stranger and an experienced fisherman, out fishing on Cape Cod, into a marvelous meditation on fishing -- and the natural history of the region.
The Outermost House, A Year of Life on the Great Beach of Cape Cod
by Henry Beston
The chronicle of a year spent living alone in a remote Cape Cod beach house in 1925. These beloved essays, first published in 1928, capture the essence of the Cape, the sea, weather and animal life.
National Geographic Field Guide to the Birds of North America
by Jon Dunn
From Alaska to Baja California, Nova Scotia and Florida, this guide is the veteran's choice for birding anywhere in the United States. Tabbed for easy access, the color range maps in this sixth edition are outstanding.
Death of a Hornet and Other Cape Cod Essays
by Robert Finch
A collection of serene essays on the nature, wildlife, and inhabitants of Cape Cod by a keen observer and year-round resident.
In the Heart of the Sea, The Tragedy of the Whaleship Essex
by Nathaniel Philbrick
The seafaring tale of fearsome whales, cannibalism and sturdy 19th-century Nantucketers; a history of the true life events that inspired Melville's "Moby Dick" -- and a fascinating history of 19th-century society in Nantucket.
Cape Cod Seashore Life, An Introduction to Familiar Plants and Animals
by James Kavanagh
A handy foldup plastic card with color illustrations for easy identification.
The House on Nauset Marsh
by Wyman Richardson
A Cape Cod classic first published in 1947, these leisurely essays form a reflective portrait of the land, sea and wildlife.
National Audubon Society Field Guide to New England
by Brian Cassie, Peter Alden
A compact, easy-to-use overview of 1,000 of New England's trees, wildflowers, mammals, insects and other flora and fauna. It also provides an extensive overview of the area's geology, weather patterns and natural sites.
Cape Cod, Martha's Vineyard & Nantucket: An Explorer's Guide
by Kimberly Grant
A practical guide to the popular tourist destinations of Cape Cod, Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket, compiled by a local photographer and writer.
