The Maritime History of the Vernon H. Brown Family
HARDCOVER | 7.25 x 10.25 | 535 PAGES | $79.95 | ISBN: 9780615895161
For author Vernon C. Gray, The Maritime History of the Vernon H. Brown Family represented far more than a family history. It was the culmination of decades of research and a lifelong commitment to preserving the story of his ancestors and their place in America’s maritime history.
Dating back to the late 1700s, the Brown family’s seafaring legacy spans more than two centuries—as captains, brokers, and shipowners during America’s golden age of sail and the rise of the steamship industry. Working closely with the author’s editor, Foster Design transformed generations of collected research, documents, and photographs into a meticulously designed historical volume worthy of the story it preserves.
At over 500 pages, this richly illustrated book includes more than 100 restored archival images, extensive chapter notes, family trees, a bibliography, and detailed indexes of captains, vessels, and family relatives. Every production decision—from the selection of archival paper to the Smyth-sewn binding—was chosen with one goal in mind: to create a classic volume that would stand the test of time.
Today, that legacy continues. With the author having lost his sight in recent years, this important work is now being professionally recorded and produced as an audiobook for blind and visually impaired readers, ensuring that this remarkable chapter of American maritime history remains accessible for generations to come.
“Peggy took the finished manuscript and gave it the polished, professional look only a true book designer could achieve.”
REVIEWS
“Rarely does one have the pleasure of discovering and reading a truly unique maritime history. The Maritime History of the Vernon H. Brown Family is just such a work.”
Dr. William H. Flayhart III
Professor Emeritus, Delaware State University
“It's a masterful and thorough history and so very beautifully presented. You can tell it was a work of love and dedication! I’m really glad to have it in my library collection.”
Charlotte Burton
amazon.com book review
“History tends to die with time. In the hands of the right author, Vernon C. Gray, it can be brought alive again. The Maritime History of the Vernon H. Brown Family, is a wonderfully written and beautifully illustrated book that is not only the history of a family, but a well-researched and vibrant account of an important maritime period in the history of our country.”
Caryl M.
amazon.com book review