This is the first book to focus on the seaside cottages of Rhode Island, the birthplace of the shingle style, lauded as the architecture of the American summer . This in-depth tour of seaside communities begins with Watch Hill and moves along the coast, weaving together the history of the state, the evolution of the shingle style, and descriptions of the geology and wildlife that create a unique sense of place. Each chapter explores a different town, capturing landscape and seascape and studying both historic and contemporary shingle style designs. Featured are works by 19th century masters together with vernacular cottages by unknown builders that have descended through generations of the same family. The most recent is Tom Kligerman s own house in Weekapaug. Lush photographs by Read McKendree are accompanied by Kligerman s own photographs of beaches, harbors, and houses views taken while biking along narrow roads and sandy paths complete the portrait of this special summer world.