A DAY'S WORK A Sampler of Historic Maine Photographs, 1860-1920 Part I

There is much that can be learned from the details of a photograph, and compiler/annotator W.H Bunting leads the eye with extraordinary skill as we see a lumber batteau working a log jam on the Wassataquoik, granite-cutting operations in North Jay, hootchie-cootchie dancers at the Maine State Fair in Lewiston, a sharp horse-dealer in Auburn, sardine canneries in Eastport, train wrecks, lumber camps, coastwise cargo schooners, deepwater sea captains, and much more. This astonishing collection of historic photographs covers a broad spectrum of activity in the State of Maine in the years between 1860-1920; Bunting's text places the images in social and economic context, giving familiar surroundings new interest and meaning as we see how the past has shaped the present. This is no dry history; Bunting's research has uncovered a wealth of fascinating detail, and with keen insight and humor he makes frequent forays into the Maine storytelling tradition. 1997 paperback, 379 pages.