In a charming blend of history and human interest, this book paints a colorful portrait of the lives of a vanished breed the lighthouse keepers from the year 1716, when the first lighthouse was established in America, to the early 1980s when automation replaced the last human guardian of the light. A wealth of material from the archives of the 19th and 20th centuriesss primarily letters, diaries, and newspaper accounts provides vivid stories about lighthouse keeping in this country: the daily work; coping with fog, storms and other catastrophes; legends and ghosts; women s and families' roles; lighthouse children and pets; the natural world around lighthouses; and the diverse characters of those who held the job. Lighthouse keeping was a unique occupation, now obsolete, and this book is a fitting tribute to these tough, usually solitary, and dedicated heroes who kept the lights burning every night, without fail."