Bayshore Summer: Finding Eden in a Most Unlikely Place

by Pete Dunne

Bypassed by time and “Joisey” Shore–bound vacationers, the marshes and forests of the Bayshore constitute one of North America’s last great undiscovered wild places. Sixty million people live within a tank of gas of this environmentally rich and diverse place, yet most miss out on the region’s amazing spectacles.

Bayshore Summer is a bridge that links the rest of the world to this timeless land. Pete Dunne acts as ambassador and tour guide, following Bayshore residents as they haul crab traps, bale salt hay, stake out deer poachers, and pick tomatoes. He examines and appreciates this fertile land, how we live off it and how all of us connect with it. From the shorebirds that converge by the thousands to gorge themselves on crab eggs to the delicious fresh produce that earned the Garden State its nickname, from the line-dropping expectancy of party boat fishing to the waterman who lives on a first-name basis with the birds around his boat, Bayshore Summer is at once an expansive and intimate portrait of a special place, a secret Eden, and a glimpse into a world as rich as summer and enduring as a whispered promise.

Genres: Nonfiction, Nature, Birds

272 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2010

Reviews

[Paul · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable read about the unique natural and cultural history, as well as some significant contemporary changes, associated with the Delaware Bay side of South Jersey. The author writes with the humorous tone of a local telling the reader about a part of New Jersey most people don't know anything about and how it's different from those popular spots and their stereotyped character. Structured to read as an experience of the region during the course of one summer with the idea that books about the other seasons would be part of the set

[Becky Diamond · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had never read anything by Pete Dunne but I will definitely seek out more of his writings. He is an engaging, descriptive writer with a sense of humor too (reminiscent of the wonderful Bill Bryson). I picked this up to help me with the research on oysters and the Delaware Bay I am doing for my current book, The $1,000 Dinner. I am a NJ native and really didn't know anything prior to this about Cumberland County (where the book takes place). But I sure do now! Through Dunne 's writing I felt like I was right there - seeing, hearing and smelling what he was describing. Then when I finally took a trip down to the area it was so neat to see and experience the places he mentions in the book. A must-read for anyone who thinks they know NJ, especially the "shore" area.

[SundayAtDusk · Rating 4 out of 5]

Before you read this book, think of what things you associate with the state of New Jersey. For me, it was industry, pollution, the mafia, and Simon & Garfunkel's song America. Thus, all the topics covered in Bayshore Summer by Pete Dunne were a bit of a surprise. Mr. Dunne starts the book off on a Memorial Day weekend and finishes it on Labor Day weekend. Between the two holiday weekends, he covers such topics as birds, bugs, horseshoe crabs, fish, fishermen, deer, hunters and poachers, stars, light pollution, tomatoes, farmers--all the things many of us probably don't associate with New Jersey.

One of my favorite parts concerned the horseshoe crabs. They are actually alive somewhere! I've seen hundreds of horseshoe crabs washed up on the beach, since I was a kid, but never once was one alive. I remember hearing as a young child that they were ancient creatures, so I figured out they were actually extinct, but their lifeless bodies were still washing up thousands of years later. (And they just kept washing up! :)

Another interesting topic in Bayshore Summer was the effect of light pollution, and how the sky tonight does not look like the night sky did just a few decades ago. Where Mr. Dunne is, one of the biggest light polluters is a nearby prison. (This is probably where the New Jersey mafia is now.) He also laments the way children are no longer allowed to explore the outdoors as freely as they once were allowed, and, hence, have created an indoor world to replace the outdoor world they lost. Kids in New Jersey definitely need to get outside more, since they are obviously missing a lot . . . like live horseshoe crabs.

(Note: I received an ARC of this book from Amazon Vine.)

[Steven McKay · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a fine little book about an underappeciated place with a rich history. It took me a while to figure out why I couldn't really connect with the book, but it dawned on me: I'm just not a water person. I have never had any interest in boating, fishing, and the like. Just not the best match, this book and me.

[Liz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pete Dunne has a writing style that makes it seem like he’s sitting across the table from you, talking over a cup of coffee.

[Peter R. Poillon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good introduction to the hidden gem that lies on the northern end of the Delaware Bay. Does a good job painting the picture of communities that have been settled since colonial times. Meanders a bit, but hitsc
the mark for describing the complicated ecosystems of time, tide and nature.

[Leilani · Rating 3 out of 5]

Prairie Spring, Pete Dunne's previous book, was mostly bird-focused, and I was expecting Bayshore Summer to be as well. This book turns out to be all about the New Jersey coastal life, natural environments and traditional fishing and farming occupations. Dunne's prose is warm and open; each chapter is a glimpse at a different part of life on the New Jersey coast which makes you feel like you're there. Occasionally he seems a little too ironically self-conscious when interacting with hardworking salt-of-the-earth types, but overall his love of the area and its traditions always comes through.

[David R. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dunne strays from pure birding in this collection of essays about the people and ecology of the New Jersey bayshore (that part of New Jersey along Delaware Bay) where he lives. The timeframe is summer so Dunne spends time with crabbers, tomato pickers, hayers as well as the tourists stopping at the local Wawa. Dunne can be rough on those with whom he doesn't see eye to eye and he does have one purely weird "encounter" with a long-dead naturalist, but otherwise the book is charming and evocative.

[Sandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't normally read natural history books, but I picked this one up because my dad's family is from Cumberland County and I wanted to read about the area. I found it to be very insightful about the lifestyle of the people and the natural resources found there. The threats to the area are brought to light as well. I have only visited Cumberland County once, but this book helped me to understand a little more about my ancestors' way of life.

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

A compelling account of wildlife and human activities in Cumberland County, New Jersey, during the summer months. Dunne delves into the history and culture of the county, including the traditional human occupations of agriculture and fishing. I have a more complete review here.

[Jill · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Delaware Bay is similar in importance to the Pine Barrens of New Jersey. This book promoter the natural and cultural integrity of the Delaware Bay. Some of the areas are Port Norris (Oystering), ShellPile (Bivalves), Mauricetown.

[Clif Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

He's a good writer but a bit arrogant in person. He tells some good stories about his home area of Southern New Jersey.

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm not usually much of a science and nature fan, but Dunne really hooked me in here, with a great insight into about the only part of New Jersey I've not visited. The pictures are gorgeous, too.

[Scott Fackenthall · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting book about life on the Delaware bay nj. Thought there would be more about birds.