lighthouses evoke many emotions: a lonely building acting as a beacon of hope and savior for ships and boats on a stormy night. they are the pillars of navigation and have played an important maritime role for more than 2 millennia.
The conventional image of a lighthouse represents a tall tower topped by a single light that often rotates at night. Since ancient times, the Greeks and Romans have used lighthouses to ensure safe navigation.
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the pharos of alexandria lighthouse is one of the most famous buildings ever built and was the tallest structure for several centuries.
It was eventually brought down by a series of fires and earthquakes, but has been designated a wonder of the ancient world.
Today, modern navigation aids have deflected lighthouses to the bottom. they are cheaper and more accurate than traditional headlights.
GPS and aerial navigation means are used by ships and small boats to navigate away from potential dangers. but the remarkable role played by these structures over the years cannot be denied. they have kept countless sailors safe from the dangers of running aground and crashing against rocks.
As headlights became expensive to maintain and required large upkeep expenses, engineers looked for cheaper and more sustainable alternatives. Over time, lighthouses have become tourist destinations and a thing of the past. very few are still in use today, and the vast majority are closed to the public.
However, lighthouses continue to intrigue and baffle people around the world. marine insight presents our top 12 books on lighthouses that you should get your hands on.
They are guaranteed to pique your interest in these marvels of engineering and the important role they played in ancient times.
So, sit back as we take you through our list of must-read lighthouse books.
1. lighthouse: an illuminating history of the world’s coastal sentinels
by r. gram. grant
The first book on our list is a helpful guide to the rich history of lighthouses. Packed with details from early 18th-century to 19th-century moderns, architectural and building styles are discussed in detail throughout this guide. Along with the stories of each lighthouse, a special mention is made of the guardians and caretakers who maintained and directed each one. This book also includes significant accounts of each building, the famous shipwrecks in the area, the ships that were saved by these silent sentinels, and the bravery of the guardians.
This book also includes a unique feature not found in similar guides: archival plans of some lighthouses. it also provides the reader with architectural plans and reviews of some of the most beautiful ever built. Famous structures covered in this book include Eddystone Lighthouses, Sandy Hook, Montauk Point, Stannard Rock, Borkum Grosser, Green Point, Tillamook Rock, Cape Hatteras, and Erie Harbour.
2. lighthouse of the world: a celebration of the most beautiful lighthouses in the world
by lisa purcell
If you are looking for a book that captures the beauty of lighthouses, then this is a must read for you. Packed with amazing images taken from around the world, it transports the reader back in time to the oldest structures that have stood the test of time.
Covering some of the most beautiful lighthouses ever built, author lisa purcell does an excellent job of compiling these structural conundrums. crossing different continents and visiting the coasts of various countries, the illustrations and photographs in this book are visual masterpieces.
Some of the famous lighthouses covered in this book include Shark Island (Sydney Harbour), Kribi (Gulf of Guinea), Rubjerg Knude (Denmark), Tower of Hercules (Spain), St. Anthony’s Lighthouse (Cornwall), Whitefish Point Lighthouse (on Lake Superior), and Jeffrey’s Hook (near the Hudson River).
Interesting facts and features are covered in detailed sections. It also draws the reader’s attention to special lighthouses such as those on Barnegat Long Beach Island and the old Kopu lookout tower in Estonia.
each is accompanied by a series of stunning images and illustrations intended to provide the reader with a comprehensive overview of how these lighthouses were built and functioned.
3. bright headlights: a history of the american lighthouse
by eric jay dolin
From bestselling author and government policy advisor Eric Jay Dolin, this book about the silent sentinels of America’s coastline is a must-read and one of the highest-rated books on our list. Introducing the history and history of some of the lighthouses that have contributed to the maritime industry across the country, it details the role they have played in trade and commerce. the tales are beautifully woven together and focus on each lighthouse and the epic story behind it.
The book seeks to highlight the political, military, and technological factors that went into the construction of American lighthouses. looks at the timeline of these structures, from the era of colonial rule to that of a growing nation and eventually a world superpower. The contribution of these lighthouses is often ignored, but this book makes an excellent statement about how they shaped America.
For those interested in the history, intense fighting, and global ramifications of America’s Coastal Sentinels, we can recommend this as your go-to book on the subject.
4. the stevensons lighthouse
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by bella bathurst
The surname Stevenson often reminds us of RL Stevenson, author of the famous classic “Treasure Island”. But long before his time, his ancestors were no less famous and were known in Britain as the Lighthouse Stevensons. Pioneers in the construction, maintenance, operation, and lighting mechanisms of these structures, the Stevensons revolutionized the modern lighthouse while remaining faithful to the classic British architectural styles that were common on the coast.
Author, researcher, and winner of the 1999 Somerset Maugham Prize, Bella Bathurst recounts the life and times of the Stevensons and their immense contribution to the lighthouse industry. Beginning with the founding of the Northern Lighthouse Trust in 1786 and the subsequent appointment of Patriarch Robert Stevenson as Chief Engineer, the book delves into the development of a unique style of construction developed by her family. they revolutionized the lights that capped these structures, working on more robust shapes to ensure the lightning never went out.
In addition to their contribution to the construction process, they also standardized and regularized maintenance operations to ensure that these structures survived countless storms.
The modern giants who protect ships and sailors on lonely shores around the world are indebted to the pioneering work done by the lighthouse stevensons, and this book is an extraordinary read chronicling their lives and work. . For history buffs and lighthouse buffs alike, this is an excellent book for an exciting read.
5. Keepers of the Lights: Stories from the U.S. lighthouse keepers
by elinor wire
While most of the books on our list focus on lighthouses, their history, and architecture, one part of the lighthouse that is often forgotten is the keepers and caretakers who tirelessly maintained it and kept it running. One of the few books to focus on the lives, training, and challenges these men and women face, Guardians of the Light is a gripping story that is sure to keep you engrossed.
The book begins with the first human “keepers” of 1716 (the year the United States got its first lighthouse) and the role they played in its upkeep. the work and equipment they use are described in detail and also include significant aspects of their daily life.
The book then moves forward to the 20th century and the gradual decline in the number of people employed to maintain lighthouses. it finally concludes in the early 1980s, when the last manned lighthouse was automated.
This book is based on a wealth of information from sources including letters, diaries, and newspaper clippings from the 19th and 20th centuries, as well as detailed accounts of the daily affairs of these lighthouse keepers. Though there are no lighthouse keepers today, this book is sure to evoke a sense of nostalgia and a renewed sense of wonder at the service rendered by these silent guardians.
6. the lighthouse encyclopedia: the definitive reference (lighthouse series)
by ray jones
Readers and critics alike have agreed that this comprehensive and detailed guide to lighthouses is an excellent source of information that does justice to the immense knowledge behind the construction and operation of lighthouses.
These marvels of engineering are extremely tall, must withstand storms and earthquakes, must operate 24/7, and most importantly, save the lives of sailors who would otherwise have been killed. crashed into dangerous rocks that dot the shoreline.
Filled with astonishing detail and stunning images of famous lighthouses in Europe, North America and Australia, the book chronicles facts and figures that go into the construction, maintenance and operation of these structures. the details in this guide are well documented and supported by lighthouse engineers and experts.
includes details of the standard terminology, equipment and machinery, architecture, and history of lighthouses commonly found in these regions. It also pays attention to the lighting mechanism and how it has evolved from the 18th century to modern times. there is also a section on the lives of lighthouse keepers and keepers, the challenges they face, and the specialized training they received.
7. houses shaken by the sea
by tom nancollas
Covering Britain’s famous and notorious lighthouses and surrounding islands,
Sea-Tossed Houses is a fascinating account of the various coastal structures that protected British sailors for centuries.
Paying tribute to architects, innovators and guardians, it focuses on the rock lighthouses that dot the British landscape. Packed with detailed sections on 20 lighthouses built between 1811 and 1904, the book explores each one and provides the reader with a comprehensive picture of what went into the building and how it worked.
Focusing on a select few lighthouses that have had an impact on surrounding areas, author Tom Nancollas chronicles their history and background, while paying special attention to the architectural styles that stand out in some of these rock lighthouses.
The special quality of this particular book is the vivid writing that puts the reader right in the middle of the story and makes them feel part of it. With detailed sections that offer insight into the world of lighthouses and the world around them, the book focuses on the unique aspects of each lighthouse.
provides an inside look at why and how a lighthouse should be built, the different types and categories, the various factors that are taken into account during and after construction, the natural beauty of the surrounding coastline, and the life of the guardians and caretakers of these lighthouses.
If you’re looking for a gripping and exciting book that reads like fiction but is actually 100% true, then this is the right choice for you.
8. lighthouses of north america: lighthouses from coast to coast
by sylke jackson
Covering the rich histories and architecture of 71 North American lighthouses, this guide is an exciting and informative read. With minute and important details in the more than 300 pages of this book, it leaves the reader with a renewed sense of wonder for the lighthouses that cover the coasts. Based primarily on the United States of America and Canada, the book pays careful attention to the architectural style behind each lighthouse.
There are also sections on engineering and structure, with detailed descriptions of different building styles, namely conical, cylindrical, square, hexagonal, octagonal, and skeletal structures. Some of the famous lighthouses covered in this book include Nova Scotia’s Peggy’s Point Light, Presque Island Light on Lake Erie, Massachusetts’s Three Sisters, Long Island Beach’s Fire Island Light and the notorious light of alcatraz island in san francisco bay.
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For anyone interested in the architecture, history, and engineering behind these structural marvels, this is a book to get your hands on. Packed with detailed descriptions of style and structure, it is sure to leave you eager to visit these lighthouses.
9. American Lighthouses: A Complete Guide to Exploring Our National Coastal Treasures
by bruce roberts and cheryl shelton roberts
United States lighthouses have played an important role in shaping the country, its maritime history, and its economy. Lighthouse historian Cheryl Shelton has collected and summarized decades of history on some of America’s most important lighthouses in this 400-page book. Along with stunning images by renowned photographer Bruce Roberts, she leaves readers with a deeper and better understanding of the work that went into erecting such structures.
With over 450 lighthouses covered in this comprehensive guide, it provides details on their architecture and extensive history. The book also includes information for visitors and tourists on visiting hours and the best way to get the full viewing experience. In addition to the factual details of each lighthouse, Cheryl has also included heartwarming anecdotes about the lives of the lighthouse keepers and the workers who manned these towers. Her stories add a personal touch of realism to the guide and make for exciting reading.
This book’s main feature is the stunning images and detailed information that make it a worthwhile investment for lighthouse enthusiasts and history buffs.
10. the largest lighthouses in the world
by annamaria lilla mariotti
With 176 pages, the world’s largest lighthouses is an effort by researcher annamaria lilla to collect and preserve the rich history of these maritime structures. Based on her experience visiting numerous lighthouses and fountains as a lecturer in Italy and the United States, the book uses references from her acclaimed work on “The Lighthouse: A Light in Time and History.”
Since the book focuses only on the top 50 lighthouses from around the world, you can be sure you are reading about some of the oldest and most beautiful in the world.
The book uses a series of striking images to showcase the scenic beauty and inherent architectural style of each lighthouse. includes lesser-known structures located in darker parts of the world, while paying homage to the largest and most famous lighthouses.
The book is packed with information and facts about each lighthouse, including historical legends and the unique architectural style on display. covers lighthouses from around the world and adds information about technological advances, the lifestyles of the people who lived in them, and the current caretakers of these structures.
11. the story of the lighthouse (series of stories)
by nicholas leach
From the editor of the international shipping magazine “Ships Month”, this brief guide to the history of lighthouses around the world is a fascinating read. Pocket-sized and lucidly written, this book is an excellent choice for tourists and lighthouse enthusiasts alike.
The book begins by focusing on early civilizations and their reliance on crude and often rudimentary means of guiding ships. then it goes to the first lighthouses built and the marked transformation they generated in maritime history.
The threat and dangers of running into bad weather or crashing into reefs and sandbars are well documented, leading the reader to understand why lighthouses were built.
Relating some of the most famous coastal structures built in the 19th and 20th centuries, it includes detailed sections on the innovative and revolutionary lighting methods employed by these lighthouses.
Towards the end, author Nicholas Leach gradually draws the reader’s attention to navigation and how it changed with the advent of the modern lighthouse, particularly in and around the British Isles and Europe.
Overall, this book is a concise and fascinating read, ideal as a travel companion or a quick history guide for lighthouse enthusiasts.
12. sentinel of the seas: life or death in the most dangerous lighthouse ever built
by dennis m. powers
while the lighthouses of alexandria and long island receive great attention from historians, architects and tourists from around the world, an often unknown structure is found on the coast of northern california. Situated in a region that has claimed the lives of thousands of sailors and boaters, the st. George Reef Lighthouse is considered by lighthouse experts to be the most dangerous lighthouse ever built. In this gripping and gripping story from author and researcher Dennis Powers.
Written in his characteristic detailed style, this book tells the story of human lives and the enormous financial costs that went into the construction of this lighthouse. Sitting in an area notoriously known to locals as “dragon rocks” because of the rough seas and dangerous rocks that litter the coastline, a special and innovative lighthouse had to be built to keep boaters safe.
Although it required 20 times the cost of an average headlamp, the problems continued. A tale filled with a tale of mutiny, sacrifice, death on the high seas, and indomitable spirit and courage, Sentinel of the Sea is guaranteed to be a fast-paced, exciting read.
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