A Historical Journey Across Raritan Bay challenges readers to imagine they are in a boat in the exact middle of Raritan Bay, straddling the imaginary line between New York and New Jersey.  The history of what's on, below, and surrounding Raritan Bay extends from where the boat is positioned (in the middle of the bay) to some 30 miles in all directions.  The inside of the circle encompasses about 2,800 square miles of historical geography which includes the Atlantic Ocean representing about a third of the area explored in the book.  The other two-thirds include towns and places such as Toms River, Monmouth, Ocean and Middlesex Counties; Long Island, The Bronx, and Brooklyn in New York State; and Newark, Trenton, Princeton, Edison,Freehold, Morristown, Toms River, White Plains, Hackettstown, Flemington and Brick Township in New Jersey.  The book looks at history from the viewpoint of being on the water, whether it's Raritan Bay or any of the rivers or streams which flow into it, such as Hudson River, East River, New York Harbor, Arthur Kill, Raritan River, Shrewsbury River, Navesink River, Sandy Hook Bay or the Atlantic Ocean.  Some highlights of the book include: The first woman to swim across the English Channel trained in the waterways. A shark swam from the ocean and up a freshwater creek to kill two people. The "Father of Modern Submarines" lived and tested a wooden submarine. Pirates Blackbeard and Captain Kidd lived and buried treasure in the area. One of Henry Hudson's crew was the first person killed by native Americans. Early settlers killed each other in a bloody "civil war" during the Revolutionary War. A significant number of shipwrecks occurred when trying to enter the bay. German U-boats would sink ships leaving and entering Raritan Bay. Why slavery was prevalent in New Jersey. When Raritan Bay was a river valley during the Ice Age. When the Sandy Hook Proving Ground tested all weapons developed for the military. How the British built an extensive road system over pathways established by Indians. When most all immigrants came through Raritan Bay to enter the United States. Marconi publicly demonstrated his wireless telegraph. The oldest operating lighthouse still stands on Sandy Hook. The Hindenburg flew over New York City and Raritan Bay before exploding. Radar was developed and then tested, secretly. The longest military pier to resupply ships and submarines is in Raritan Bay. Why nuclear-tipped missiles were located on Sandy Hook. Why a lighthouse was built on a large bed of oysters. Where the first complete dinosaur skeleton in the world was discovered. Why, in 1643, a woman was savagely disemboweled by Indians, but lived and  befriended them. Why Benjamin Franklin and his son were on opposite sides during the Revolutionary War. Why George Washington hated New York City. A famous Patriot was really a terrorist who killed his neighbors during the American  Revolution. CHAPTERS: 1 - The Water 2 - The Beginning 3 - The Natives 4 - The Explorers 5 - The Traders 6 - The Settlers 7 - The Lighthouses 8 - The Pirates9 - The British 10 - The Patriots & Loyalists 11 - The Winners 12 - The Planners 13 - The Slaves 14 - The Weapons 15 - The Immigrants 16 - The Enemies 17 - The Tourists 18 - The Builders19 - The Drinkers 20 - The Flyers 21 - The Fighters 22 - The Defenders 23 - The Polluters 24 - The Weather 25 - The End It is easy to travel around Raritan Bay without much regard for the landscape or the events that occurred here in years past; yet the pervading role of this area's coastline, tributaries and landscape influenced many events that shaped today's world. Fellow author John Schneider has the unique ability to bring these places and events back to life and put us in touch with the history that happened all around us. It's a fascinating piece of work with beautiful imagery and should be destined to become a classic on New Jersey's rich history. - Robert A. Mayers, historian & author of Historic Tales of Watchung " A Historical Journey Across Raritan Bay is a richly woven story that guides us through the centuries. John Schneider's contemporary conversational style fills the pages with tantalizing tales of intrigue and discovery. A book worth the voyage and all its adventures. - Susan Gardiner, author of Sandy Hook's Lost Highland Beach Resort "... anyone who is interested in learning more about any aspect of our regional history would do well to start first with "A Historical Journey Across Raritan Bay," which provides both historical and chronological context for all of the hundreds and hundreds of amazing stories that mark our rich and colorful past. It's a great read, and should find a place on your shelf this summer." - John R. Barrows, Monmouth Timeline "...a book that is both educational and factual, as well as entertaining and interesting because of his personal analysis of historic events. The in-depth explanations of how various parts