Lost Chester River Steamboats:: From Chestertown to Baltimore (Transportation)

The elegant prose of a professional writer makes this well researched exposition of a local transportation system within east coast America's history a fascinating read for any maritime history buff. Even better for me, one who lives in a riparian site on the upper Chester River, I love learning more about a region that is one of America's hidden treasures. Shaun describes our river by saying, "The shoreline of the Chester River today is probably much the same as it was in colonial times and remains largely undeveloped." The Chester River is quintessentially rural in nature and contains quiet arboreal beauty, an ornithological treasure house, and a delightful challenge for recreational boating. Shaun provides us with a panoramic view of early steam-powered vessels that facilitated the socio-economic evolution of the Chesapeake Bay region through the maritime connection between Baltimore and the Eastern Shore. The array of unique photographs, rescued from historical dustbins, greatly enhances the narrative, and, I must confess, added to my enjoyment of this piece of history--appealing greatly to my nautically nerdy soul. The literature of Maryland's Eastern Shore is greatly enhanced by Jack Shaum's labor-of-love in this book.

An excellent book for those of us in love with the Chester River on The Eastern Shore. Thank you, Mr. Schaum.

A rich view of a specific nautical history that reflects the historic passion and journalistic professionalism of the author, Lost Chester River Steamboats is a must-have for readers who love, or want to learn more about, the Chesapeake Bay region and its maritime heritage. Mr. Shaum is an excellent writer with an eye for detail and a commitment to veracity. Unique and compelling photos are an added bonus. Lost Chester River Steamboats is among the best Chesapeake Bay focused nonfiction I've read in 2015. I look forward to future works written by Jack Shaum.

This title should be in the library of anyone interested in Chesapeake Bay Maritime history as well as the steamboat era in this country in general. The author is probably as knowledgeable about the maritime history of the Bay as anyone around today. The book is well researched and written and covers many aspects of local steam-boating on the Eastern Shore of Maryland.

Well written narrative of a time now gone by an author who was fortunate to actually experience the end of the steamboat era on the Chesapeake. Many excellent photographs, many never before published. I recommend this book to anyone who wants to learn more about this fascinating, now largely forgotten, ear of steamboating on the Maryland Eastern Shore.