By James M. Aldrich

This profusely illustrated, coffee-table-size volume covers a century of the history of Deer Isle and surrounding islands as presented by the eight Island newspapers that appeared beginning in 1882 with the Deer Isle Gazette and continuing through to Island Ad-Vantages and the very brief publication of Deer Isle Fisherman. The book features full-size reproductions of newspaper pages with fascinating glimpses into life at the time, from advertisements to the “comings and goings” news items of residents, along with a number of photos. An Amazon reviewer says of the book, “I couldn’t put it down. I was compelled to read every single article, advertisement, etc. It’s a fun coffee table book that’s quite a conversation piece.”

In putting the book together, the late Jim Aldrich read every one of the “5,000-and-some-odd” weekly newspapers, all published on Deer Isle. Aldrich was fascinated by the changes and the continuity he found through reading the news of a century, which he says make a “historical tapestry of varied and vibrant colors.”