[Updated December 2009]
The marine highway of the St. Lawrence River has introduced visitors to the Thousand Islands for centuries. Many travelers recorded impressions. In 1880 Franklin B. Hough published a compilation. This early book and other regional literature appears in the bibliography provided by Paul Malo in Fools' Paradise, the second volume of his historical trilogy.
We are pleased to present the following publications which have been published in recent years. Unfortunately some books are now out of print, but several are available through local books stores in the United States and Canada.
NOTE: Please forward information about new publications for review to Info@thousandislandslife.com
New Publications
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Tidds Island: a History of its People and Their Stories published in July of 2009, and written by Tremont Island cottagers.
The soft-cover book has histories of 33 residential properties. The history provides ownership information for each lot as well as a review of the archaeology, geology and botany of Tremont Island, which is situated directly in front of Gananoque in the Admiralty group.
To ordered email: Peter Murray (pmurray5@cogeco.ca) $30.00 (CA) plus shipping and handling . |
Previously Listed Publications
Paul Malo's Historical Trilogy
Paul Malo (1930-2008), who founded www.ThousandIslandsLife.com was an award winning historian, architect and for thirty years, a professor of architecture at Syracuse University. His passion for the Thousand Islands resulted in three books about the gilded age here: Boldt Castle: In Search of the Lost Story, Fools’ Paradise: Remembering the Thousand Islands, and A Floating World: More People, Places and Pastimes of the Thousand Islands. He authored and co-authored several other books about historical preservation and architecture and fostered a preservation ethic at TI Park as well as being responsible for saving Sagamore, William W. Durant's and subsequently the Vanderbilt great camp in New York’s Adirondacks.
Ian Coristine
Ian Coristine's first book, now out of print after several printings, has become a sought after collectible. The 1000 Islands, smaller in format than his subsequent publication, appealed to residents and tourists because of its accessible price and convenient size. The quality of the photographs and their presentation in a fine binding account for the remarkable success of the book.
His second book is more an artistic celebration of the region's beauty. Prints from Water, Wind and Sky have been shown at the Brockville Arts Center and in seasonally changing exhibitions at the Antique Boat Museum, Clayton and other galleries. His photographs have been reproduced internationally. Ian has shared his intimate views of the Thousand Islands in France, where they appeared in the national journal, Le Figaro. Volvo's LIV magazine featured his work in their International Edition which is distributed in countries around the world wherever their cars are sold. Ian was elected from photographers around the world as an “Image Master” by DxO Labs, a Paris based company that produces software for professional photographers.
When Ian's first book, The 1000 Islands, sold out and required a fourth printing, he decided to replace it. Now an entirely new book with new photographs completes a trilogy. It mirrors the format of the first volume, but has a subtly different title – The Thousand Islands.
To order visit Ian Coristine's 1000islandsphotoart.com
Susan W. Smith 
Why would anyone name an island Deathdealer, Bloodletter, Astounder or Dumbfounder? Why does the international boundary zigzag between the United States and Canada? Who named this region the Thousand Islands? Who were the first explorers, surveyors, settlers and tourists? Susan Weston Smith's fascination with the history of the Thousand Islands let her to libraries, museums and archives to the homes of fellow islanders, and eventually to the British Hydrographic Department in Taunton, England, where, almost accidentally, she happened upon Ca[pt. William FitzWilliam Owen's original survey map, hand-drawn in 1816. It had not been unrolled in perhaps more than a century. This map held the key to answering a great many questions about these beautiful islands. Susan has a variety of studies of the islands to her credit, including "A History of Recreation in the Thousand Islands", and a "Photograph Inventory of Historic Sites in the Canadian Sector of the Thousand Islands", both written for Park Canada, St. Lawrence Islands National Park.
Susan Weston Smith: The First Summer People: Thousand Islands 1659-1910 (1993) Now out of print.
Images of America Series
Arcadia Publishing
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The Thousands Islands: Postcard History Series
by The Antique Boat Museum. 128 page book featuring 200 vintage photos. The Museum also has published a post card collection.
Available at the Museum’s gift shop or you may order online at Antique Boat Museum. The book is also available at many local book stores including Corbin River Heritage, 534 Riverside Dr, Clayton, NY.
See TI Life August 2009 article. |
Clayton (Images of America: New York) (Paperback)
by Verda S. Corbin, and Shane A. Hutchinson. "This photograph, probably the oldest-known photograph of Clayton, shows the corner of James Street and Water Street..."
Available at Corbin River Heritage, 534 Riverside Dr, Clayton, NY 13624, 315-686-2275
St. Lawrence (Images of America: St. Lawrence County) (Paperback)
by Susan Wood and Christopher Angus. " Since the days of the pioneers, St. Lawrence County's diverse waterways, fertile soils, and dense forests have drawn a rich cultural mix of peoples."
Available at Corbin River Heritage, 534 Riverside Dr, Clayton, NY 13624, 315-686-2275
Patty Mondore and Robert Mondore
Special letter received from Professor Paul Malo (Syracuse University Professor Emeritus):
"Just finished an enjoyable visit to Dark Island--virtually, of course. Your updated edition of the the DVD really surpasses the first, which was fine indeed. The additional historical material, particularly the film footage still retained by the family, showing the Commodore and others on the island, really enriches our appreciation of this irreplaceable landmark." --Paul Malo, 12/17/06
To see other publications by Patty and Robert Mondore click here
Don Ross
Don Ross is most attuned to the natural environment, not merely concerned but active in conservation of our natural resources, Don has added to the regional literature books that are especially sensitive to the local ecology. Don is the Executive Director of the Frontenac Arch Biosphere Reserve which was designated by UNESCO in November 2002. It is one of over 500 Biosphere Reserves throughout the world. The Biosphere Reserve extends roughly 2700 square kilometers in the south eastern portion of the Canadian Province of Ontario.
Anthony Mollica Jr.
Anthony Mollica, Jr. ("Tony" to most of us) is our eminent author of authoritative books about antique boats. A longtime islander, he came with his family years before acquiring his summer home on Cherry Island, near Alexandria Bay. 
Tony has been active in national and regional antique boating circles and is a trustee of the Antique Boat Museum, chairing its collections committee, among other boating contributions. His definitive works on the boats of several modern builders have established his reputation internationally, while his books focusing on the Thousand Islands have appealed especially to readers here.
Michael Ringer
The majority of Michael Ringer's creations are focused on the Thousand Island region. Ringer is also the host of the national broadcast PBS show The Artist's World with Michael Ringer. The show covers many facets of the profession of being an artist from publishing, to casting in bronze, to practical lessons and safety of the studio.
Five books have been published on Ringer's work and he is a member of the Outdoor Writers Association of America. His exhibitions have been featured in numerous local, state and national galleries. His studio is in Alexandria Bay and his works are on display in Clayton and in the fall season in the Carousal Mall, Syracuse, NY.
TI Life presents three of Michael Ringer's books now available for sale in the in the region.
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| The first is a daily journal, called Days On The River. 9.75" x 11", 155 pages, It has 55 full color paintings of the river and spaces to write your daily journal. There are only day numbers 1-30 etc. with no Monday, Tuesday etc.. This way the journal is good for any year you want to use it. The journal is published with a high quality writing paper and is covered with a thick clear plastic front and back cover making it somewhat waterproof. They sell for $19.95. |
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| The second book is For Love of The River - 9.75" x 11", 155 pages , 130 full color paintings and numerous sketches plus narrative information about where the painting is or why I choose it a short story about it. Were $64.95 now on sale at $39.95 (By the way The River which pictured above, is also regularly $64.95 now $39.95) There are no duplicated images between the two books. |
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| The last book River Life is available in hardcover, $24.95 and softcover $19.95, 96 pages, This is a history of the St. Lawrence River with dozens of historical photographs, notes and points of interest. Also 15 river paintings. Covers the history from the geological beginning of the Pre- Cambrian shield to present day |
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Dudley Danielson
Dudley Danielson's large-format publication reproduces 230 historic postcards in original color.
Available in several local book stores in the Clayton and Alexandria Bay region.
Other Thousand Islands Books
Pierre DuPrey and others: Ah Wilderness! This is out of print, but a valuable resource about the Thousand Islands.
Tom Folino: Alexandria Bay
Roger Fulton: Twenty-five Short Hikes and Interesting Walks in the Thousands Islands and St. Lawrence Seaway Region in New York State and The Battle of Cranberry Creek.
Robert L. Matthews, Editor: Glimpses of St. Lawrence Summer Life: Thousand Islands Souvenirs. Out of Print.
Roger Lucas is author of a series of books about Boldt Castle, Boldt's boats, and the Boldt enterprises.
Sara Mara and Nancy Hammond: A Snug Little Island. A wonderful children's book. A must to have!
Vivian Pyke: River Musings
Some older books
Verda Corbin: The Visgers' World (1987) Regrettably out of print, this major contribution to regional history may still be obtained from the linked source or at Corbin's River Heritage, Clayton.
John De Visser and Patricia Flemming: The Thousand Islands (1990). The handsome pictorial volume may still be stocked by some retailers.
Shawn Thompson is a prolific author whose production of outstanding works about the Thousand Islands peaked in the late 1990s. With a Queens University graduate degree, Shawn became a newspaper journalist with the Kingston Whig, residing with his family in Gananoque. His first book was The River Rats: The People of the Thousand Islands (1989).
River's Edge: Reprobates, Rum-Runners and Other Folk of the Thousand Islands appeared in 1995, followed by Soul of the River: Life in the Thousand Islands (1997) and A River Rat's Guide to the Thousand Islands (1998). Our loss was British Columbia's gain when Shawn accepted a teaching position at a university there, where he finished his fifth book, Letters from Prison: Felons Write about the Struggle for Life and Sanity Behind Bars, which found an international audience. Currently Shawn is investigating the science and rehabilitation of orangutans, a project that took him to the jungles of Borneo.