About the book
Part history and part memoir, Hell Gate tells of a man's excursions along and through Hell Gate, a narrow stretch of water in New York City's East River, notorious for dangerous currents, shipwrecks, and its melancholic islands and rocks. Drawn to the area by his fascination with its name—from the Dutch Hellegat, translated into English as both \"bright passage\" and \"hellhole\"—what begins as a set of casual walks for Michael Nichols becomes an exploration of landscape and history as he traces these idyllic and hellish images in an attempt to discover Hell Gate's hidden character and the meaning of its elusive name. Using a loosely constructed set of sketches organized as a kind of tour along the edge of the river and then from a rowboat in the river, Nichols describes scenes and events as they present themselves, mixing history and lore with contemporary scenes.
Editions of Hell Gate
- Hardcover
- ISBN 9781438471396
- Paperback
- ISBN 9781438471402
- PDF
- ISBN 9781438471419
Read an Excerpt
Part history and part memoir, Hell Gate tells of a man's excursions along and through Hell Gate, a narrow stretch of water in New York City's East River, notorious for dangerous currents, shipwrecks, and its melancholic islands and rocks. Drawn to the area by his fascination with its name—from the Dutch Hellegat, translated into English as both \"bright passage\" and \"hellhole\"—what begins as a set of casual walks for Michael Nichols becomes an exploration of landscape and history as he traces these idyllic and hellish images in an attempt to discover Hell Gate's hidden character and the meaning of its elusive name. Using a loosely constructed set of sketches organized as a kind of tour along the edge of the river and then from a rowboat in the river, Nichols describes scenes and events as they present themselves, mixing history and lore with contemporary scenes.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Hell Gate about?
Part history and part memoir, Hell Gate tells of a man's excursions along and through Hell Gate, a narrow stretch of water in New York City's East River, notorious for dangerous currents, shipwrecks, and its melancholic islands and rocks. Drawn to the area by his fascination with its name—from the Dutch Hellegat, translated into English as both \"bright passage\" and \"hellhole\"—what begins as a set of casual walks for Michael Nichols becomes an exploration of landscape and history as he traces these idyllic and hellish images in an attempt to discover Hell Gate's hidden character and the meaning of its elusive name. Using a loosely constructed set of sketches organized as a kind of tour along the edge of the river and then from a rowboat in the river, Nichols describes scenes and events as they present themselves, mixing history and lore with contemporary scenes.
What core themes, tropes, or subjects are explored in Hell Gate?
History and Archaeology > History > History of the Americas
Where can I read a sample of Hell Gate?
You can read an official preview of the few pages here https://www.book2look.com/book/9781438471396
How long is Hell Gate and how many pages does it have?
Hell Gate has 162 page(s)
Is Hell Gate part of a series, and can it be read as a standalone?
Yes it is a part of series Excelsior Editions
Who is/are the Author/s of the book Hell Gate?
Michael Nichols
What are the ISBN numbers for the physical and digital editions?
Hell Gate is available as hardcover(ISBN 9781438471396) and paperback(ISBN 9781438471402) and pdf(ISBN 9781438471419)
Where can I buy Hell Gate online or support local independent bookshops?
You can buy Hell Gate from below
Where can I buy Hell Gate?