From Narragansett Bay, Roger Williams, the American Industrial Revolution and the Independent Man to the New England mob, the Big Blue Bug, the Newport Mansions, Family Guy and profiles of Buddy Cianci, H.P. Lovecraft and the Farrelly brothers, no book provides a more insightful lowdown on the Ocean State than Rhode Island 101. No book is more fun! Well known Rhode Islanders weigh in on the nation’s smallest state. Investigative reporter Jim Taricani recounts his top stories, Mark Patinkin provides signs that you've been in Rhode Island too long, meteorologist John Ghiorse revisits the most memorable weather events of the last 40 years, Lincoln Chafee offers a Rhode Island treasure hunt and Rory Raven illuminates haunted Rhode Island. From fabulous beaches, historic cities, and dynamite cuisine to corrupt politicians, elite universities and a unique accent and slang, it’s all here.
I feel a bit silly for giving this slim travel guide four stars, but it really was a very solid primer on the Ocean State. Better written and wittier than it had any right to be!