A gem that makes history come alive, without drowning in fluff. I bought the original a few years ago and what a great read for historians, people who enjoy history and family research or genealogy. Last night, I turned off my screens and started reading this dusty old book Vol. 1 of Essex Antiquarian, published 1897 on Salem and surrounding counties in Massachusetts, covering history. It's more interesting than it sounds. In Vol. 1 it starts with covering each ship quickly, its captain, its trade and routes. Did you know pepper was imported out of Sumatra to Salem, then from Salem to the rest of the world? You'd be shocked how high the import taxes paid in the 1600's. Well over $600,000. I hadn't expected it to cover shipping and captains. It then goes on to cover family trees. I was shocked to find my own in here. It makes history come alive.