Beginning in the early 1970s, Szabo started capturing the melting pot of humanity on Jones Beach, a busy strip close to New York City. Among the sea of bodies, Szabo's camera reveals moments of both quiet introspection and unashamed exuberance.

Jones Beach looms large in the hearts and lives of millions of New Yorkers. From its windswept beginnings on the far edge of an empire to its twentieth-century status as America’s greatest public beachfront resort, it has been home to countless memories. In this evocative book, John Hanc explores the traditions, institutions, controversies, and characters of this beloved seaside resort, now a state historic landmark. He tells the stories of those who have shaped Jones Beach into a cultural icon—including public planning giant Robert Moses and beloved entertainer Guy Lombardo. The foreword is by “Mr. Long Island,” former Newsday columnist Ed Lowe.

The south shore of Long Island, one of New York's greatest recreational assets, is receding at the rate of up to six feet per year. In many cases, efforts to halt this erosion actually have increased it. Buildings cone thought safely constructed back from high tidemarks today protrude far into the water. Even more, the number of homes an facilities built too close to the sea's edge has dramatically increased, making the south shore probably less ready to withstand a major storm than at the time of the cataclysmic hurricane of 1938. Thus, the question of what to do now to overcome and avoid these hazards takes on real urgency. Pointing to past mistakes, many Long Islanders insist that only by acting in an informed reasonable way can safe and environmentally sound development be possible for everyone.

Your Travel Destination. Your Home. Your Home-To-Be. Long Island Explore a 118-mile-long reason to love New York. Experience the best of Nassau and Suffolk Counties. Savor the beaches, the fresh seafood, the local wines. • A personal, practical perspective for travelers and residents alike • Comprehensive listings of attractions, restaurants, and accommodations • How to live & thrive in the area—from recreation to relocation • Countless details on shopping, arts & entertainment, and children’s activities