The Keeper Of Lime Rock: The Remarkable True Story Of Ida Lewis, America's Most Celebrated Lighthouse Keeper

by Lenore Skomal

Describes the life of Ida Lewis, the lighthouse keeper of Lime Rock, whose rescues of eighteen people made her a celebrity across the country.

Genres: Biography, History, Nonfiction

160 pages, Hardcover

First published March 20, 2002

About the author

Lenore Skomal wants you to eat her books. She wants you to chew them in your teeth, savor them on your tongue, breathe them in, and feel her words in your skin. Her passionate desire is to touch your heart, inspire you, and luxuriate in the world of the written word. She finds ecstasy in constructing a perfect sentence and responds willingly to the nagging ache in her heart to create an authentic experience for the reader. Lenore is an award-winning author with the single goal of being heard.

Winner of multiple awards for blogging, literature, biography and humor, Lenore Skomal's catalogue spans many genres. With 30 years of writing experience, over 17 books published and a daily blog, the consistent themes in her work are the big issues the human experience and adding depth and voice to the intricacies involved in living a multi-dimensional existence. BLUFF was a Finalist in the International Book Awards Literary Fiction category 2013. Skomal has also won several Society of Professional Journalist Awards, Whidbey Island Writer's Conference honorable mention for best fiction, Writer's Digest 73rd Annual Fiction Contest, New York Public Library's Best Books for Teens 2003, and the Next Generation Indie Book Award for humor. From journalism, to literary fiction, to humor and biography, Skomal's writing is consistent, if not in genre, then in message.

As a member of the world community, Skomal is excited by the opportunities presented in today's publishing climate. Now, not only can she spend her time traveling internationally and experiencing cultural events like a Lakota Sweat Lodge, she shares these experiences directly with her readers in hopes of resonating with them and underscoring that no one is alone.

In addition to writing, Lenore is an engaging public speaker with over 1000 public engagements, book tours and writing seminars. She has taught college journalism, has one son, and when not off gallivanting from Egypt to Mongolia she resides with her husband in Erie, Pa.

To contact Lenore check out her Website at http://lenoreskomal.com/ or Facebook Page: http://www.facebook.net/pages/Lenore-...

Reviews

[Hannah · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a nice book. It was a very quick read. It's about Ida Lewis who took over the lighthouse duties after her father suffered a stroke in the 1860's. Her fifth rescue made headlines and she became a sensation across America. While the book honored her and her achievements, it also talked about how many women worked at lighthouses and the struggles that they faced and how little recognition they received. I thought it did a nice mixture of Ida's story as well as the struggles of the time.

I thought it was well done and I liked learning about a different facet of American culture.

[John D'Andre · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is about heroism, courage in the face of adversity. Ida Lewis comes to life in this book. I make two trips to Newport a year and each time I stop for a few minutes to marvel at that lighthouse and think what a wonderful woman Ida must have been and how she survived against all odds. Ms. Skomal does a wonderful job bringing the plight of Ida Lewis to life. Ida was a true hero...setting the stage for woman to "be anything they wanted to be"....sort of an unsung hero for her time. A must read.

[Danny McGee]

Very good, what a true life story!

[Lea · Rating 3 out of 5]

There is not much information about Ida Lewis and this author made an effort to write a true account of her with little to go on. Unfortunately, the author had to add in extra information about other things to make it a book worth page count. It’s hard to get into a story about someone when there’s almost nothing known for “fact”. I’m not sure this succeeded in shining a light on Lewis, the ending was especially grim and didn’t cast her in a good light. Overall I didn’t find this very satisfying. Ida Lewis was an amazing American hero regardless of what we know for fact.

[Connie T. · Rating 2 out of 5]

I've been searching for a memoir or biography describing the daily life of a lighthouse keeper and this one does a fair job of it. The author describes the development of Newport and the rise of the use of lighthouses. She includes historical figures and events that help place Ida in her time frame. The dramatization of the March 1869 rescue was quite exciting but most of the book is rather cut and dry, including descriptions of other rescues. Despite all this, I didn't get a very good sense of who Ida really was or what her day to day life consisted of.

The timeline bounces back and forth a bit, which can be confusing. On page 122, we're told that Ida "lost all consciousness. The following three days marked a deathwatch..." No where does it state that she regained consciousness. On page 124, we're told that the day before Ida's death the newspaper sent a telegram to the Lighthouse inspector asking if Lime Rock Light was to be abandoned. "Upon reading the story, or at least hearing of its rumored content, Ida, ... had fallen into a dark despair." How could this be so if she's already unconscious?

Given the lackluster, somewhat repetitive, writing this book just wasn't all I'd hoped it would be.

[Ned · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ida Lewis today is totally forgotten.

But, she was a household name --internationally -- in the late 19th Century.

Ida was one of the first female lighthouse keepers anywhere. She operated a lighthouse on the coast of Rhode Island from her childhood until -- literally --- the day she died. In addition to her daily upkeep of the lighthouse, she is credited with saving 18 lives, and the actual figure is probably twice that, from drowning in the ocean. Sadly, almost all of the lives she saved were hapless drunken would-be sailors from a nearby military base who decided it would be a good idea to get super drunk and steal a rowboat and sail off into various storms of the century...

All of this attention even earned her a personal visit from President Ulysses S, Grant.

I have always been fascinated with the romance, mystery, and willful isolation of lighthouses in distant coves. And I loved this book.

My only criticisms of this book is it seriously needs the attention of an editor and at only 130 some pages, it is way too short!

Thank you, Patricia!

[Bruce · Rating 3 out of 5]

In times past women had to wait a long time to receive the same acclaim that men received for the same job, if they were recognized at all for their efforts. This short book is the story of one woman who was lauded for her actions and rewarded in some ways. Yet Ida Lewis did not want to be in the limelight, she felt she was just doing her job. However, she had to wait a long time after the recognition before she was officially appointed keeper of the lighthouse. It also helped it was in Newport, RI, that she kept the lighthouse at a time when the rich and famous were building their 'cottages.' Other female lighthouse keepers are note in the book but because of their location they did not see the same acclaim as Ida Lewis

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

It wasn't until her fifth daring rescue at sea in 1869 that the world discovered the remarkable Ida Lews, tender of the Lime Rock lighthouse off the coast of Newport, Rhode Island. Hailed for her lifesaving efforts by luminaries of the day, Lewis was the first person awarded a Congressional medal for her years of extraordinary heroism. Weaving thrilling nautical adventures with tales of other female lighthouse keepers, this compelling biography opens a fascinating and previously unexplored chapter in the history of American women.

[Jen Garuti · Rating 4 out of 5]

The beginning of this book felt like a high school report, but I kept at it and enjoyed most of it very much. It was very repetitive in places, as well. However, Ida was such an interesting person who lived such an interesting life it made up for any poor writing in the telling of her story. I may try to read another book about her another time. I was also surprised there were so many female lighthouse keepers in the 1800's, that is something I am also interested in reading more about.

[Jeannette · Rating 4 out of 5]

While I wish it would have focused more on Ida Lewis with less of the background of the others. This is the fascinating story of a lightkeeper who tended the light, rescued lives and cared for her family. I read this after visiting the Newport Harbor, her gravesite and the surrounding area. It is a pleasure to read and know these places mentioned in the telling of her incredible story.

[Keri · Rating 1 out of 5]

I was initially excited to read this--thought it would be really neat to learn about Ida Lewis. The story was terribly written. It was boring. She had so many neat experiences, it seems there would be a way to write it so it sounded as interesting as it probably was!

[Gina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Every girl should definitely read this and anyone else will only benefit from reading about this amazing young lady.

[Georgia · Rating 1 out of 5]

A really uninteresting, but quick read. The author repeated herself constantly and did not offer up much in the way of memorable information on this historic heroine.

[Kerri · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought this book was really interesting and in some way I see Ida Lewis as a superhero! And I love lighthouses so all around thumbs up!!

[Teri · Rating 1 out of 5]

Read review at:
http://letitread.blogspot.com/2010/05...

[Diane C. · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is an exciting, interesting subject and yet the writing is pretty pedantic. I was expecting so much more.

[Cathy McLennan · Rating 5 out of 5]

An inspirational story. And a good read!

[Bonnie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great story, great subject matter. A little dry in the telling.

[Leila Larson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very interesting book. Fascinating detail in documentary research by the author to bring to life the. In which this amazing woman Lighthouse Keeper lived and worked.

It is interesting I thought that the names of the main characters indicate Hispanic roots and the story takes place in Maine along the coast. Apparently the heroine of the story who was the first designated female Lighthouse Keeper in the US.

A very good source of historical details regarding lighthouses and nautical life in the 18th and 19th centuries. I think this is an extremely valuable book in terms of the historical context. Very readable and interesting.

[Cynthia · Rating 3 out of 5]

A remarkable story of a brave and courageous woman who became the lighthouse keeper of Lime Rock off the coast of Newport RI in the 1860's.
At a mere 103 pounds she braved the seas, to rescue men (and animals) with little regard for her own heroism. Awarded the Congressional Honor for Bravery, she continued to live her life serving others as she saw fit.
A biography hampered somewhat by little true acknowledgement and missing information. I still found it quite fascinating and could not imagine attempting the rescues of Ida Lewis.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a story about a remarkable woman! As a lighthouse keeper, Ida Lewis felt it was her duty to rescue those who needed assistance if they were in her area. She tended to many rescues though she never wanted any accolades, she was given many. A Coast Guard Cutter and training facility are named after her.
This story was greatly researched. Thank you to the author for giving us a book about a hero of the 1800's.

[MICHELE · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the biography of Ida Lewis, America's Grace Darling. I learned about Grace Darling in the historical fiction book based on her life, The Lighthouse Keeper's Daughter. This is a well researched but very dry account of Ida's life. Ida Lewis was a lighthouse keeper in the mid-to-late 1800s, credited with rescuing at least 18 people from drowning.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really short but lots of good information. I love how she tied her girl boss power into suffrage movement. I was surprised that Susan B Anthony and Elizabeth Cady Stanton went to visit her. I love that she was friends with that lady from a Cliffwalk house.

[Amber]

Pick your Poison-That Wedding Tradition: Something old-a book set at leat 3 decades before you were born.-1869 Interesting history of Ida Lews keeper of Lime Rock light after her father became disabled. There is little factual information about her heroism as she didn't keep journals and was reluctanat to be in the limelight.
Interesting

[Annie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really appreciated this book and the care the author took to piece together the truth from the limited remaining primary sources. It’s not the most exciting story ever told, but it’s an interesting and inspiring piece of history for those interested in sailing and seafaring matters.

[Danielle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quick read! Well researched and well-written.

[Jessie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Didn't grip me, but biographies generally don't.

[Tori]

2025- Quick biography about a RI hero.

[Lindsey · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this account of Ida Lewis's life. With as little record that was left behind the author did a compelling job of compiling as much information about her and other female Lighthouse Keepers without becoming boring or redundant.

[Marcelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really fascinating book that I searched for after reading "The Bravest Woman in America" to my daughter (children's bio of Ida Lewis).

Ida Lewis lead a humble and heroic life. This book also offers an interesting view into the lighthouse keeper's world in the 1800s.