Wick Griswold is the author of several History Press books. He teaches the sociology of the Connecticut River at the University of Hartford. He is also the commodore of the Connecticut River Drifting Society. A former educational program director and regional high school teacher, Ruth Major grew up hearing stories about her Saybrook/Essex ancestors who were shipmasters and shipbuilders. She credits her grandmother, Marjorie Post, for inspiring her passion for New England and New York history. Ruth lives with her grandson's cat and three hens on the Vineyard, where she researches, writes and paints.