Tugboats of New York: An Illustrated History

View the Table of Contents. Read the Introduction.2005 Author of the Year Award--"Working Harbor Committee of New York and New Jersey"2006 AAUP Book, Jacket, and Journal Show in the category of Trade Illustrated Book DesignFew books can be all things to all people, but this one is an exception. Much more than just a narrow history aimed at tugboat buffs, it has something for everyone. George Matteson, a veteran towboater, has tackled the history of working vessels and has produced a work that is not only poetic and technical, nostalgic and clearheaded, but perceptive of the human and economic dimensions of working on the water. Since towboating in New York reflects the overall course of American industrial, economic, and maritime history, it is a venture into maritime history itself. --"Steamboat Bill: Journal of the Steamship Society of America""The seductive promise of the fog-drenched images on the dust jacket of "Tugboats of New York" is more than fulfilled in the comprehensive contents." --"Sea History""Tugboats of New York" is one of those rare constructions where everything works just about perfectly." --"Marine News""Matteson, who has worked on tugs for 20 years, defines the blue-collar boats' place in the history of America's industrial development and provides anecdotes about life in the harbor." --"Associated Press""Matteson knows the lore in depth, telling us how tugs work and how crucially they've served the great port." --"San Diego Tribune""A magnificent book reflecting first-rate scholarship, writing, design, and production." --"Woodenboat""This gem of a book about 'the workhorses of the greatest harbor in the world'was written by someone who himself has operated tugboats since 1979. . . . The book might even be the inspiration for a future tugboat captain. --"Kivekdale Press""One of those rare constructions where everything works just about perfectly. The text is insightfully, appreciatively, and masterfully written. The illustrations are informative, handsome, and sometimes--deliberately, one gathers, given some of the credits--quite beautifully artistic." --"Marine Link""The informative text and copious illustrations- maps, drawings and photographs- make this book a 'must-have' gift for all the New York nautical devotees....Whether weekend sailor or confirmed landlubber, readers of "Tugboats of New York" will re-discover the lroe of these iconic craft." --"Riverdale Press""Breathtaking photographs. . . . Matteson's fascinating account of the evolutionary era begins with the geographical formation of New York Harbor, but quickly moves to the era of the vessels themselves. . . . Anyone fond of books about the way things work will enjoy Matteson's detailed explanations; others will relish his metaphors." --"New York Times Book Review""A handsome account of these durable, powerful, romantic little fellows." --"New York Times Book Review," Editors' Choice"This sturdy, if little lauded, workhorse of the citys waterways has found a champion in George Matteson, himself a veteran tug operator. His marvelous, handsomely designed Tugboats of New York is both an evocative photo album of tugs at work and a detailed essay on nearly two hundred years of tugboat history. --"BookForum""The story of the development of the tugboat industry in one of the busiest seaports inthe world is a remarkable one, and Matteson delivers it in rich and lively detail. . . . The photographs alone, with extensive captioning, make this book worth buying. These photos are gems." --"WorkBoat"His book guides you effortlessly into the world of tugboating, showing you the rope(pun intended) with the ease of a master. You cant help but respect him for both his undoubtedly hard-won insiders view of a gritty profession and his spare, pointed, informative prose. --The Waserwomans Genes"A brave and jaunty disquisition, copiously illustrated, on the histoMatteson, George is the author of 'Tugboats of New York: An Illustrated History', published 2007 under ISBN 9780814757383 and ISBN 0814757383.