Lighthouses

Beacons of safety shining in the night, alerting sailors to dangers at sea, lighthouses have been a part of the coastal landscape for thousands of years. From the earliest towers, which burned coal and wood to produce fiery signals, to today's computer-automated structures, the world's vast network of lighthouses continues to provide a vital link to safety for those men and women who travel at sea. The ideal young person's introduction, "Lighthouses" traces the history of these powerful beacons from the first known structure, built in Alexandria Egypt in 300 BCE, through the introduction of the powerful Fresnel lens, and up to today's fully automated behemoths. Readers can also explore the sometimes harrowing job of the lighthouse keeper, both past and present. Stunning photographs by avid lighthouse photographer Philip Plisson bring these fascinating structures to life.