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Countless authors have tried to capture the Hudson Valley’s magic on the page. These 10 books stand out as indispensable guides to the region’s history, nature, and culture. From Benson Lossing’s evocative sketches of the river’s majesty to T.C. Boyle’s gripping portrayal of family and environmental strife, each serves as a portal, transporting us across time and space. Works as different as William Thompson Howell’s enthusiastic exploration of the Highlands and Judith Richardson’s brilliant examination of supposed ghostly presences offer very different though equally captivating perspectives on the Hudson Valley’s allure.
Through these 10 books, we traverse the pages of history and fiction on a journey that illuminates the Hudson Valley’s enduring charm and lasting influence on American culture.
The Hudson
By Benson Lossing
1866
In this classic of Hudson River lore, compiled from articles the Dutchess County native published in an English newspaper before the Civil War, the Hudson Valley unfolds in all its grandeur and glory. Traveling from its source high in the Adirondacks to the bustling town near its mouth (Manhattan, maybe you’ve heard of it?), Lossing immortalizes the region’s rugged landscapes, famous landmarks, and the timeless ebb and flow of the river. His vivid prose and on-site drawings transport readers back in time, offering a glimpse into an era of steamboats and stately mansions. “It is by far the most interesting river in America,” Lossing wrote, and more than a half-century later his book remains one of the best ways to get to know it.
The Hudson Highlands: William Thompson Howell Memorial Volume
1933, 1934
The rugged beauty of the Highlands’ iconic landscape comes alive on every page of this collection, culled from Thompson’s diaries and published by friends after the Newburgh native’s death. Howell’s eloquent prose paints a vivid portrait of the region’s craggy peaks and verdant valleys, and his enthusiasm for the often-overlooked wilderness just a train’s journey away from the nation’s metropolis helped the movement to preserve the region with the establishment of state parks. With scholarly insight and poetic flair, the volume—of which only two hundred copies were originally printed (a reprint came out in 1982)—is a must for any Hudson Valley adventurer. It also includes some of Howell’s photographs of his journeys into the woods.
The Hudson
By Carl Carmer
1939
Through this early installment in the excellent Rivers of America series—which applied a major writer to the task of researching and writing the history of a particular stream—readers are transported through the Hudson Valley’s colorful past. The river emerges as more than just a waterway—it becomes a living, breathing entity, steeped in legend and lore. Carmer’s chapters preserve fascinating bits of folklore, like old Hudson River shanties and legends, that otherwise might not have been recorded. His keen eye for detail, deep appreciation for the region’s mystique, and poetic prose invite us to rediscover the magic that has enchanted generations of Americans. “I should like to live in this country with you, my heart,” Carmer quotes George Washington writing to Martha during one of his many extended stays in the region during the American Revolution, “…this is the only country for honest people.”
World’s End
By T.C. Boyle
1987
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In the hands of the prolific Peekskill native, the Hudson Valley is a battleground where environmental activism clashes with corporate ambition. Against the backdrop of the region’s breathtaking landscapes, Boyle crafts a gripping, darkly satirical narrative that delves into the complexities of human greed and the resilience of nature. Through the lives of his many characters—a three-page guide helps the reader keep track—Boyle explores themes of love, betrayal, and the struggle for justice in a rapidly changing world. Navigating this modern Hudson Valley epic reminds us of the region’s enduring spirit and the urgent need to protect its natural treasures for generations to come.
Kaaterskill Falls
By Allegra Goodman
1999
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In this poignant novel, the Catskill Mountains serve as the stage for a riveting exploration of human desire and community dynamics. Amid the lush greenery and cascading waters of Greene County, Goodman delves into the lives of two couples living in an Orthodox Jewish summer enclave, revealing the intricacies of faith, tradition, and modernity. Through richly drawn characters and evocative prose, Goodman paints a vivid picture of the allure of the mountains and the profound impact of its natural wonders on the human spirit, exhibiting unexpected depths of beauty and complexity.
Possessions: The History and Uses of Haunting in the Hudson Valley
By Judith Richardson
2005
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Delving into centuries of haunting phenomena, this eerie and insightful exploration into ghostly encounters and inexplicable occurrences reported over the centuries uncloaks the spectral undercurrents that have long permeated the region. “Ghosts operate as a particular, and peculiar, kind of social memory,” Richardson writes, “an alternate form of history-making in which things usually forgotten, discarded, or repressed become foregrounded, whether as items of fear, regret, explanation, or desire.” Traversing the shadowy corners of a region that Washington Irving himself described as rife with “local tales, haunted spots, and twilight superstitions,” Richardson beckons us to confront the enigmatic history and enduring allure of the landscape.
Sanctified Landscape: Writers, Artists, and the Hudson River Valley
By David Schuyler
2012
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In this readable volume interspersed with relevant paintings and other visuals, the late professor of American Studies at Franklin and Marshall College explores the region’s profound influence on generations of American artists, from novelist James Fenimore Cooper and naturalist John Burroughs to Hudson River School founder Thomas Cole and architect Andrew Jackson Downing. “At a time when Americans were only beginning to learn about and understand their land,” Schuyler writes, “artists and writers as well as tourists found in the Hudson Valley new ways of thinking about the human relationship with the natural world.”
Freedom’s Gardener: James F. Brown, Horticulture, and the Hudson Valley in Antebellum America
By Myra B. Young Armstead
2012
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The Bard College historian uncovers the legacy of a formerly enslaved head gardener at the Verplanck family’s Mount Gulian estate, just north of present-day Beacon. Brown’s remarkable diary offers a fascinating glimpse into the vital role of both horticulture and the African American community in shaping the Hudson Valley in the antebellum period. Drawing on this rare document, Armstead unveils James F. Brown’s enduring impact on the region’s landscape, economy, and social fabric—particularly his involvement in the local Black church. From his innovative agricultural techniques to his advocacy for educational empowerment, Brown’s story blooms with resilience and determination. As Armstead writes, “James F. Brown contributed to the definition of freedom in the new nation.”
The History of the Hudson River Valley
By Vernon Benjamin
2014, 2016
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In his sweeping two-volume magnum opus, Benjamin offers the first truly comprehensive narrative tracing the Hudson Valley’s evolution from ancient times to the present. With painstaking detail and scholarly insight, Benjamin guides us through centuries of cultural, political, and ecological change, showcasing the stories of Native American tribes, Dutch settlers, Revolutionary War heroes, and industrial titans who left indelible marks on the valley’s landscape. Through Benjamin’s masterful storytelling, readers witness the triumphs and trials that have defined the region. “The Hudson River Valley offers a microcosm of American history,” Benjamin observes—and he proves the point on almost every page.
Revolution on the Hudson
By George C. Daughan
2016
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This riveting narrative reveals the Hudson River’s strategic significance during the American Revolution—John Adams called it “a kind of key to the whole continent.” With thorough research and analysis, Daughan provides the untold stories of naval battles, military strategies, and political intrigue that unfolded along the river’s banks. From the decisive Battle of Saratoga to the daring exploits of Benedict Arnold, Daughan’s narrative paints a vivid portrait of the Hudson Valley as a crucible of revolution. Readers gain new perspectives on the pivotal role of the Hudson River in shaping the course of early American history.
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