Norwich measured nine square miles in the 1659 deed that Mohegan chief Uncas gave to the brave English settlers from Old Saybrook. The names of the citys streets and parks are testaments of the pride the community has in its towns residents and history. Stories abound of Norwich natives and American revolutionaries like John Durkee, who made the kings tax representative resign; scoundrel Maj. John Mason, who ordered the Mystic massacre of 100 men; and traitor Benedict Arnold, who burned the nearby city of New London. Legendary Locals of Norwich also sheds light on Norwichs more modern heroes and heroines, whose everyday actions give homage to the past, recognition to the present, and courage and vision to the future. Featured are Stanley Israelite, whose personal drive has helped businesses and individuals succeed; Eileen Akers, whose actions changed the world for students; the philanthropy of Harold Ross; and the pride of retailer Jackie Quercia.

On Sunday mornings, church bells ring, calling all denominations, and Savannah's squares are filled with people and activities. The city embraces music, art, and literature, and the historic district welcomes visitors from all over the world. As a port city, Savannah has always embraced diversity, and that is what residents love about it. We are not losing our Southern values and traditions; we are just sharing them. Legendary Locals of Savannah introduces readers to people who braved the Atlantic Ocean to establish the Georgia colony, entrepreneurs who made a fortune in cotton, and black citizens who struggled through slavery and later fought for civil rights. Liberty boys who plotted the Revolution, families who lived in mansions, boys who fought bravely for the Confederate cause, and those who insisted on preserving our beautiful historic district--they all have a story to tell.

A bustling lumber and trading port on the shores of Lake Champlain founded by Ethan and Ira Allen in the 1780s became the city of Burlington in 1865. With a current population of almost 43,000 residents, Burlington is still Vermont's "Queen City," consistently nationally ranked for quality of life and as a great place to both raise a family and to retire. It is not just the beautiful scenery and endlessly interesting weather that makes Burlington desirable but also the amazing people and businesses of Burlington that make it unique. Burlington is the hometown of Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream; Horatio Nelson Jackson, the first man to drive an automobile across the continental United States; the Lake Champlain Chocolate Company; first lady Grace Coolidge; the Vermont Pub & Brewery, one of the nation's first brewpubs; philosopher and educator John Dewey; the world-renowned jam band Phish; a small army of accomplished and eclectic artists; and more interesting coffee and tea shops than almost any other small city in the country.

Newton has more than enough legendary locals to fill volumes of books. Endless are the stories about men, women, and young people who dedicated, or still dedicate, countless hours of their lives in order to make Newton and the world a better place. Newton has been a launching ground for award-winning authors, Nobel Prize winners, Olympic medalists, and Hollywood stars. Some of Boston's best athletes have chosen to make "the Garden City" their home. In the pages of this book, readers will learn about Newton's first mayor, James Hyde, who never lost an election in more than 50 times on the ballot; Rev. Edmond Kelley, the first pastor at Myrtle Baptist Church and a former slave; Leonard Zakim, regional director of the Anti-Defamation League who dedicated his life to fighting prejudice and civil rights violations; Louise Bruyn, who walked from Newton to Washington, DC, to protest the Vietnam War; Shirley Lewis, known as the "regal queen of the blues"; and Ted Williams, regarded as baseball's greatest hitter, who lived in Newton Upper Falls.

The story of a community is best told through the stories of its people. And Legendary Locals of Foxborough by veteran journalist Jeffrey Peterson aspires to do just that. Relying heavily on newspaper files and Foxborough Historic Commission archives, Peterson introduces readers not only to the movers and shakers who made headlines over the past two centuries but also to scores of common folks with decidedly uncommon stories: E.P. Carpenter, 19th-century industrialist and visionary; E.H. and B.B. Bristol, brothers whose Foxboro Company ushered in decades of unprecedented prosperity; outsized personalities like Betty Friedmann, Al Truax, and Herb Seltsam; lanky Gene Conley, Boston Red Sox pitcher and Boston Celtics center; Alex and Sonja Spier, who fled postwar Europe to establish a local real estate empire; beloved Deerfield Academy headmaster Frank Boyden; and renowned educators John Ahern, Mabelle Burrill, and Steve Massey. Images and biographical text on these and other remarkable residents provide a delightful retrospective documenting the rich and spirited community of Foxborough.

The area that would soon be known as Concord had barely been settled in May 1771 when nine of its young men courageously orchestrated what many regard as the first colonial attack against the British crown. Their "gunpowder plot" blazed a trail for future legendary locals, from the industrial and philanthropic dynasties of the Cannons and Coltranes to African American vanguards Warren C. Coleman and Mable Parker McLean. With unparalleled passion and, often, Southern sass, Concordians stand up for their beliefs, from Confederate officer Rufus Barringer to crusading newspaperman James P. Cook to bulldozer-defying preservationist Mary Snead Boger. Hometown hero Quincy Collins credits his upbringing for anchoring his sanity while a prisoner of war, and the city's splendor has attracted celebrities like enigmatic screen siren Elizabeth Threatt and The Sound of Music star Daniel Truhitte to settle here. Whether we know them as "Bear," "Mr. Democrat," "Mayor Mac," or "Humpy," they are the favorite sons and daughters of Concord and their stories--from the inspirational to the comical--are collected in this keepsake volume.

Although the town benefits from a position on a major navigable waterway, Middletowns success is primarily due to the energy, creativity, and diversity of its people. These include James Riley, whose autobiography detailing his trials as a white slave in Northern Africa showed millions of Americans the evils of slavery; Max Corvo, who helped the World War II Italian underground defeat the fascist regime; and Christie Ellen McLeod, longtime chief pathologist at Middlesex Memorial Hospital. Middletown can boast of athletes such as Helen Babe Carlson, a tremendously strong competitor who participated on mens baseball teams; Willie Pep, who, while going for the world featherweight title, had a record of 134 wins and only one loss; and Corny Thompson, who sparked the University of Connecticut basketball programs rise to national prominence. More notables include Allie Wrubel, a prolific songwriter and Academy Award winner for his song Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah; Vivian McRae Wesley, a teacher, reading director, and leader of Middletowns African American community; and Francesco Lentini, who was born with three legs and appeared in every major circus and carnival.