This was written for me.

Having lived on Virginia's Eastern Shore, as well as some of the other areas mentioned in the book, there was near constant nostalgia on every page. I've worked in seafood restaurants that served the very crabs and oysters discussed in the book. As a boy scout I camped on once inhabited barrier islands on the other side of the Eastern Shore. We got there in a boat very similar to the ones described in the book.

I'm also United Methodist. While I don't agree with the extremely conservative theology adhered to on Tangier, the religious history of the island was fascinating.

Swift does a great job of capturing the personalities and stories of the island characters. He weaves personal tragedy and joy with ecology, geology, religion and politics. His love of both the people and the island itself come through.

Highly Recommended.