In this important contribution to the history of Newport, Rhode Island, and New England, Rockwell Stensrud charts the story of the founding of the settlement in the seventeenth century, following its history and the lives of key characters to the late twentieth century in an engaging and readable narrative. Impeccably researched and illustrated, and newly published in softcover format, this is not a heavy academic text, but is full of drama and interest throughout.

Rockwell Stensrud is the author of Inventing Rhode Island: Six Lives (2014); and a senior producer and writer for ABC News.