John Hanc teaches journalism and writing at the New York Institute of Technology in Old Westbury. A writer specializing in fitness, active sports and history, he is the author of eight books, most recently, The Coolest Race on Earth: Mud, Madmen, Glaciers and Grannies at the Antarctica Marathon. Ed Lowe (foreword), affectionately known as "Mr. Long Island," was a reporter for Newsday from 1969, and from 1976 until 2004 he was a columnist for the paper. Since 2005, he has been writing a weekly column for The Long Island Press and The Neighbor Newspapers.

"Any citizen of New York will be proud to have this book in their collection." -Donald J. Trump "A delightful read, a nostalgic, absorbing trip back in time to the origins and the halcyon days of a treasured New York institution." -Kevin Baker, author of Dreamland and Paradise Alley "This is local history at its best. John Hanc's lively, absorbing narrative is both nostalgic and sophisticated." -Barnet Schecter, author of The Battle for New York and The Devil's Own Work

• Introduction by Ed Lowe1: The Battle for the Beach2: Pirate Jones3: An Island Unto Itself4: “The Beach Is Apparently Endless”5: The Girls (and Boys) From Jones Beach6: King of All Beaches7: The Guy Who Loved the Beach8: Esprit de Corps: The Jones Beach Lifeguards9: Endless Summer

John Hanc teaches journalism and writing at the New York Institute of Technology in Old Westbury. A writer specializing in fitness, active sports and history, he is the author of eight books, most recently, The Coolest Race on Earth: Mud, Madmen, Glaciers and Grannies at the Antarctica Marathon. Ed Lowe (foreword), affectionately known as "Mr. Long Island," was a reporter for Newsday from 1969, and from 1976 until 2004 he was a columnist for the paper. Since 2005, he has been writing a weekly column for The Long Island Press and The Neighbor Newspapers.

"Any citizen of New York will be proud to have this book in their collection." -Donald J. Trump "A delightful read, a nostalgic, absorbing trip back in time to the origins and the halcyon days of a treasured New York institution." -Kevin Baker, author of Dreamland and Paradise Alley "This is local history at its best. John Hanc's lively, absorbing narrative is both nostalgic and sophisticated." -Barnet Schecter, author of The Battle for New York and The Devil's Own Work

• Introduction by Ed Lowe1: The Battle for the Beach2: Pirate Jones3: An Island Unto Itself4: “The Beach Is Apparently Endless”5: The Girls (and Boys) From Jones Beach6: King of All Beaches7: The Guy Who Loved the Beach8: Esprit de Corps: The Jones Beach Lifeguards9: Endless Summer

John Hanc teaches journalism and writing at the New York Institute of Technology in Old Westbury. A writer specializing in fitness, active sports and history, he is the author of eight books, most recently, The Coolest Race on Earth: Mud, Madmen, Glaciers and Grannies at the Antarctica Marathon. Ed Lowe (foreword), affectionately known as "Mr. Long Island," was a reporter for Newsday from 1969, and from 1976 until 2004 he was a columnist for the paper. Since 2005, he has been writing a weekly column for The Long Island Press and The Neighbor Newspapers.

"Any citizen of New York will be proud to have this book in their collection." -Donald J. Trump "A delightful read, a nostalgic, absorbing trip back in time to the origins and the halcyon days of a treasured New York institution." -Kevin Baker, author of Dreamland and Paradise Alley "This is local history at its best. John Hanc's lively, absorbing narrative is both nostalgic and sophisticated." -Barnet Schecter, author of The Battle for New York and The Devil's Own Work

• Introduction by Ed Lowe1: The Battle for the Beach2: Pirate Jones3: An Island Unto Itself4: “The Beach Is Apparently Endless”5: The Girls (and Boys) From Jones Beach6: King of All Beaches7: The Guy Who Loved the Beach8: Esprit de Corps: The Jones Beach Lifeguards9: Endless Summer