Author Description

Alf Evers is the preeminent historian of the Catskills, and this book collects nineteen of his best essays for an irresistible short dip into Catskill history and lore. The pieces cover a wide range of subjects, some celebrated, some lesser-known, that hold a special place in the history of the region, from the enduing mystique of the Kaaterskill Falls to the rise and fall of the Ulster & Delaware Railroad. Evers guides the reader in the footsteps of the earliest adventurers to explore the Kaaterskill and Plattekill Cloves, relates the history of log cabins in the Catskills and describes the (sometimes unlikely) pursuits and attractions that beguiled visitors of another age, from a hot-air balloon in Margaretville to steamboats on Halcottsville Pond. Taken together, these essays offer an enlightening look at some of the significant personalities, places and ways of life that have shaped the distinctive character of these mountains. All of the essays bear the incomparable Evers touch - the meticulous research and delightful writing - that has made his books so overwhelmingly popular. Originally published in the newsletter of the Catskill Center for Conservation and Development, the premier membership organization for the study and preservation of the Catskills, the essays are gathered here for the first time in a book that will be welcomed by residents, visitors, students, history buffs and Alf Evers's many, many fans.