When I was a teenager growing up in Montreal in the 1950s I would look forward to my summers visiting my sister in Long Island, New York.

It is too bad I did not have at the time a copy of Francine Silverman’s comprehensive travel guide, Long Island Alive. All I ever knew about Long Island were its beaches. Anyone reading this wonderful guidebook will have to agree that Long Island is not only about beaches- it has a distinct character and soul.

Silverman is a veteran feature writer for newspapers and magazines. These days Silverman’s passion is travel writing. Her first guidebook, Catskills Alive, was very well received, and I am sure Long Island Alive, will be equally successful.

Long Island Alive concentrates on different geographical areas of Long Island: Nassau County’ North Shore and South Shores, Suffolk County’s North and South Shores, Fire Island, and Suffolk County’s North and South Fork. Dividing these areas into subsections, Silverman describes their history, geology, geography, wildlife, and environment and also provides us with useful maps.

In addition, the author provides information highlighting the heartbeat of the area with all its activities, attractions, lodging; restaurants, events, festivals and other goodies that make Long Island come alive. There is even an entire section devoted to farm markets.

Scattered throughout the book are sidebars of tidbits of fascinating information. Did you know that when Dutch explorer Adrian Block sailed around the island in 1614 he named in Lange Eylandt and the name stuck? Sea turtles and whales occasionally wash up on beaches along the South Shore. Coyotes, bobcats and black bears that are common to New York State are no longer to be found on Long Island.

Each section also includes a listing of some vital resources: medical facilities, shopping malls and streets, houses of worship, health and beauty clubs, banks, museums, historical societies and tours, bars and clubs, motels, parks, tennis facilities, newspapers, liquor stores, wineries and even animal adoption centers.

As for those of us who are interested in where to dine and stay, considerable space is devoted to the best places to lodge and eat. Where applicable websites are even listed.

Silverman succeeds in evoking Long Island’s charm and color, and should prove to be an invaluable asset for travelers to this very interesting area.

Read The Interview With Francine Silverman Here