There is no New York neighborhood that boasts a richer history or more exciting present than Williamsburg. At first a quiet waterside community, Williamsburg briefly became a wealthy suburb of Manhattan in the middle of the nineteenth century. Heavy industrialization and a tidal wave of immigrants later turned Williamsburg into New York's poorest, most crowded quarter. With images drawn chiefly from the rich photographic collection of the Brooklyn Historical Society, Williamsburg illustrates the neighborhood's transformation from one of New York's most impoverished and least fashionable neighborhoods to a modern-day example of the city's capacity for self-renewal.

For over three hundred years, stories of witches, sea serpents and pirates have amazed and terrified residents of Massachusetts's North Shore. In the summer of 1692, phantom men were spotted in the fields of Gloucester. Farther north, "A" marks the spot for pirate treasure in the marshes of Newbury, while to the east, full moons might bring out the werewolf of Dogtown. The devil himself has burned his mark on the boulder-strewn landscape, while shaggy humanoids have been sighted loping along the coast. From Boston to New Hampshire, Massachusetts's North Shore is filled with remarkable stories and legendary characters. Join author Peter Muise and discover the North Shore's uncanny legends and tales of the paranormal.

True tales from the Centennial State's past-from a prehistoric buffalo hunt to the artistic inspiration behind the Red Ryder BB rifle Colorado is known for its towering peaks, Native American culture, and rich mining history, but few may be aware of the $200 million diamond mine hoax, the British woman who summited Long's Peak in 1973, or why Buffalo Bill Cody wasn't buried in Cody, Wyoming. It Happened in Colorado goes behind the scenes to tell these stories, in short episodes that reveal the intriguing people and events that have shaped the Centennial State. *Recount the harrowing week-long battle during which only twenty-four surviving civilians held off nearly 700 Native American warriors *Read about Leadville's enormous ice palace-complete with indoor skating rink-constructed as a publicity stunt in 1895 *Learn how the individual who carried out the most successful espionage operation in American history helped delay settlement of the West *Relive the terrifying day one angry citizen nearly destroyed his small town with a jerry-rigged tank Colorado has historical high points as grand as its magnificent mountains. In this book, author James A. Crutchfield scales thirty-eight of these historical summits.

Arizona's 20 national parks and monuments celebrate the natural wonders and rich heritage of Arizona, preserved through the efforts of countless citizens and the American Antiquities Act of 1906. Aggressively implemented by eight US presidents, this legislation permits the president to unilaterally proclaim sites as national monuments without congressional action. The Antiquities Act was applied in Arizona 23 times, more so than any other state in the union. Using more than 200 historical photographs, many of which have never been published, this book contains the stories of the creation of each of Arizona's national parks and monuments, emphasizing the importance of the landscape and cultural heritage to Arizona's identity.

Hilo (pronounced "Hee-low") is the second largest city in Hawai'i and the seat of government for the Big Island of Hawai'i. Giant trees shade its avenues, and a string of picturesque beach parks line the crescent-shaped shoreline of Hilo Bay. It was from here that King Kamehameha the Great launched his fleet of war canoes to conquer the Hawaiian Islands and, later, where whaling ships and schooners dropped their cargoes of sailors, missionaries, and sundry goods. The bay is still active with modern seafaring vessels enjoying the protected waters inside a famous stone breakwater. Two majestic and scenic mountains, Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa, overlook the city and the bay. Hilo itself holds many stories of ancient gods, kings and queens, the missionaries who came to challenge both, immigrants who came to work the sugar cane fields, and numerous destructive tsunamis that Mother Nature sent to challenge them. Century-old buildings remain, as do the descendants of merchants that prospered here. It's a charming city with a timeless style and resilient population, ever-vigilant against the potential of another destructive wave.

Jean-Baptiste Le Moyne, seeking to create a strategic outpost for New France, built Fort Toulouse in Creek territory. This area would eventually become Wetumpka, located on the banks of the Coosa River and standing at the foot of the Appalachian Mountains. The fort became the headquarters for Gen. Andrew Jackson during the War of 1812, and later it was where Creek Indians ceded their lands to the federal government. Wetumpka's presence was also large outside of military endeavors. During the cotton boom, two years after the city's incorporation in 1834, a New York newspaper declared it and Chicago, Illinois, the "two most promising cities in the West." Although fire, floods, and the Civil War hindered growth, infrastructural transformations and cultural additions have helped mold modern Wetumpka into the "City of Natural Beauty" and propel it to occasional roles on the big screen.

In the heart of central Kentucky Bluegrass country, Lexington boasts a long, proud history reaching far back before this "Horse Capital of the World" reared its first thoroughbred. Early Lexingtonians built an intellectual and economic center from their frontier outpost and quickly claimed the first college, newspaper, and millionaire west of the Alleghenies -- among many other firsts.

Mount Juliet was born on the headwaters of Stoner's (Lick) Creek, which was named after 18th-century long hunter Michael Stoner. The small agrarian community had a handful of families who raised cattle and were dedicated to digging into the rocky soil, planting crops to make ends meet. Plans moved full-steam ahead for the Nashville, Chattanooga, and St. Louis Railroad. God-fearing country folks filled churches, while others lifted their spirits at Eagle Tavern. Some historians say the city's moniker derived from a manor in County Kilkenny, Ireland. As time progressed, images of the bucolic setting faded, and a modern-day frontier of infrastructure took shape. Adjacent to Nashville, the country music capital, Mount Juliet was in a prime position for growth. The city became home for producing pioneer Owen Bradley, who helped make Patsy Cline and Loretta Lynn legendary entertainers, and country icon Charlie Daniels. The "City Between the Lakes" is now one of the state's fastest growing communities, boasting nearly 400 new houses each year and a new business permit every two days.

Ocean City Beach Patrol is the story of the elite group of men and women who serve as guards along the sandy beaches and gently rolling surf of Ocean City, an eight-mile-long barrier island off the coast of southern New Jersey. Although the coastline slopes gradually into the sea and the water is generally calm, deadly rip currents and strong undertows can occur at any time. Thus, the lifeguards often risk their lives to protect the thousands of bathers enjoying these waters each summer.