The sheer beauty of the elegant, lonely lighthouses along our shores--and their unspoiled, scenic natural settings--has captivated our collective imagination. More than simply picturesque, the lighthouse has become an enduring symbol of salvation, fortitude, and heroic folklore. The Ultimate Book of Lighthouses is a comprehensive and fascinating work, where you'll discover. - Profiles of every kind of lighthouse, from the boldly striped 196-foot tower overlooking the notorious Diamond Shoals off Cape Hatteras, North Carolina, to the many octagonal and pyramidal beacons built to guide sailors into North American harbors - Fascinating information about lightships, foghorns, and modest beacons - Many remarkable engineering techniques used in constructing lighthouses - Historical examples of our ancestors' courageous efforts to guide mariners through treacherous seas and storms - Scores of stunning full-color photographs, and more! A celebration of one of America's purest landmarks, The Ultimate Book of Lighthouses is a must-have for any home.