Iron in the Pines: The Story of New Jersey's Ghost Towns and Bog Iron

This book is about an extremely important phase in the development of technology and process in the colonies. It describes the early sourcing of iron from a surprising source.It has helped me in my understanding of the iron industry .

I enjoyed 'Iron in the Pines.'The book is, first, well-written for one of its type, with a solid, straightforward narrative that doesn't get in the way of the facts. Second, the book is meticulously researched, being composed of firsthand interviews and fieldwork, and many hard-to-find records (a stark contrast to some of today's books, which are merely recycled internet articles of questionable legitimacy). Third, 'Iron' is very substantial, and on several levels. Not only does it offer a comprehensive, complete, and objective historical account of the Jersey Pine Barrens and its bygone iron industry, but we see here, also, a compelling human history, as to catch a glimpse into the life, times, and psychology of the men, women, and children who participated, thus presenting a fuller, more rounded picture of that society (and, by extension, the larger social era in which it existed). Personally, I learned much from the telling little details interspersed throughout the text, those which fleshed out the everyday lives of the folks depicted in the book (which, as it were, contrasted their modern and even pre-modern counterparts in so many ways, as to clarify both in a profound way). Also, there's just some good, classic storytelling in 'Iron,' and I came away from it feeling equally enlightened and entertained, as is so rarely achieved by one book (and a mere historical text, at that).My thanks goes out to this book's author, subjects, and publisher. I am grateful for, and have benefited from, your work and service.

I live on the northern edge of The Pine Barrens and go South all the time. This book has interesting information about all the towns South of me,.

Shipped, arrived as described. Product was as described, very happy with it.

Great book describing the history of the Pine Barrens.

This is a great book. Since a child, my family has spent a lot of time in the pines--on the Mullica, visits to Batso, canoe trips and hikes all around. I wish I had gotten this book thirty years ago!

Although superseded by later books in terms of touring forgotten towns in the NJ Pine Barrens, this book is still the best regarding the history behind these towns. It is especially good for providing two important primary sources: the Martha Furnace Diary, kept by the clerk at the furnace, Caleb Earle, of which only copies exist today, presented in full (it ran, on and off, from March 1808 to May 1815); and extracts from the Batsto Store Books, which go from Jan. 1851 to Dec. 1863. Pierce details the major establishments of the Pines, including Batsto, Atsion, Washington, Harrisville, Etna Furnace, and Pleasant Mills and relates their history at length. He has done his research well and, again, his use of primary sources (old books, letters, journals) is commendable. The book has remained in print since first published in 1957, and hopefully it will remain in print for many years to come.

Not the one I wanted

A good book for info about New Jersey