A small island along the South Carolina coast with a gently sloping white beach, live oaks, palms, pines, vast marshes with meandering tidal creeks and a surprising abundance of wildlife, Fripp Island captivates both residents and visitors. The ebb and flow of tides, the fortunes and difficulties of developers and the fluctuations in the residential community have shaped Fripp's history. In the years since 1963 when the bridge to Fripp was built, two constants in the island's history have been the beauty of its natural setting and its dedicated residents who share their time and talents to create a special community. Page Putnam Miller, who for twenty years served as the lobbyist for the historical profession in Washington and for the past five years has been a Distinguished Visiting Lecturer in the graduate history program at the University of South Carolina, has undertaken several years of extensive research to examine the intricate turns and twists in ownership of the resort and to explore the evolution of the residential community. She combines sound scholarship with delightful vignettes to produce an engaging mix of historical analysis and insightful glimpses into island life. Miller has replaced what had been only fragments, speculations and questions about Fripp Island's past with a comprehensive and balanced account filled with fascinating characters, human struggles and humorous stories.