Early Gravestones in Southern Maine - by Ron Romano (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

The slate gravestones of southern Maine bear evidence to the region's fascinating history, from shipwrecks and famous wartime sea captains to countless ordinary citizens. Master stone-cutter Bartlett Adams memorialized the tragedy and triumph of the region in nearly two thousand gravestones. Examine the artistry of the headstones that mark the resting places of three generations of the same family who all went down with the schooner Charles, and discover the grief that Adams poured into the stones for his own three children. Through deep and original research, author and guide Ron Romano narrates the early history of southern Maine and one man's legacy, carved in stone.

Review Quotes

For those of you who don't yet have this book in your gravestone-loving hands, let me tell you -- you do NOT want to miss it. Ron Romano has outdone himself....It is a fascinating story from start to finish, and interwoven as it is with Romano's account of his search for the tale, it had me wanting to go out and search out Bartlett's signature in Maine's graveyards myself ASAP.

This is the gauge of quality of Romano's work -- he explains the finer points of gravestone studies in a way that makes you want to join in the gathering, and at the same time paints a picture of Bartlett's own life and times that brings them to life in your mind's eye. This is a rare thing in a history book. I recommend you buy it and experience this for yourself.-Michelle Souliere, Strange Maine