Hosted by OCH co-founder Maynard Bray
Bill Bunting’s two books (Parts I and II) entitled A Day’s Work have intrigued us at OCH for some time, having been listed as a favorite read by at least one of our OCH Guides. They’re about life in Maine as it used to be between 1860 and 1920, told in photographs and marvelously informative essays written by Bill. Things maritime are included—about a third of Part II, in fact—and they are what we’ll feature, but there’s great stuff about farming, lumbering, quarrying, ice harvesting, and other commercial pursuits of the late 1800s and early 1900s as well. I guarantee you’ll learn more than you can imagine about how ingenious our forebears were in using brains, brawn, and natural materials like wood.
With Bill’s blessing and that of owner/publisher Jon Eaton of Tilbury House, and with assistance from Bill’s wife (and former Tilbury publisher) Jennifer Bunting, OCH will be periodically posting more excerpts as a way of reviewing these exceptional books. We’re starting with the 384-page second volume which is still in print and available. I hope these excerpts convince you to place an order. Here’s the link to Tilbury House: http://www.tilburyhouse.com, and to Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Days-Work-Historic-Photographs-1860-1920/dp/0884482073.
September 1902. The Boston-Bangor steamer CITY OF BANGOR beached at Lobster Cove, Spruce Head Island, Maine, after a collision with Monhegan Island. Deer Island-Stonington Historical Society
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Havilah Hawkins says:
Here! here!
I have had both volumes for many years and find new stuff every time I revisit them. They are a constant source of inspiration.
Thank you Bill and Maynard and every one involved.
Bill Mayher says:
Maynard,
Putting sections of A Day’s Work up on the site on a regular basis is a brilliant idea. The two volumes have always been on my short list of “desert island” books, and this first excerpt shows why. So thanks to Bill Bunting and Jennifer and the new team at Tilbury House for making it happen, and thanks to you for coming up with the idea in the first place.