The Coast: A Journey Down the Atlantic Shore

Over several years Thorndike, co-founder of American Heritage publishers, has explored the Atlantic shoreline from West Quoddy Head in Maine to Key West, Fla. He has distilled those journeys into a delightful and enlightening description of the East Coast, north to south. More than 90% of the coastal area is privately owned; consequently, beach access is limited in many places. Thorndike notes severe erosion in New Jersey, pollution in Chesapeake Bay, dying coral reefs in the Florida Keys and diminished wildlife everywhere. He visits offshore islands, traces 18th-century American botanist William Bartram's trail and inspects damage from Hurricane Hugo. Thorndike praises the organizations working to save the coastline, and gives special recognition to the National Seashores and the wildlife refuges. Illustrations. (Mar.)