Books by Jack Sanders
Wicked
Ridgefield
Ridgefield, Connecticut, often pictured as an idyllic town, has been no stranger to life's shadier characters. The history of the community includes cunning crooks, friendly embezzlers, bungling burglars, wandering scalawags, government officials gone astray — and even a murderer or two. Reading about them offers insights into how we were. And as anyone from Shakespeare to Agatha Christie could tell you, bad news can make good stories. Illustrated and indexed. Published by History Press, 2016. More information.
Hidden
Ridgefield
Like Ridgefield Chronicles (below), Hidden History of Ridgefield offers many engrossing stories of intriguing people, places and things from the town's past, extensively illustrated with old photos and maps. It includes women who were pioneers in their fields; actors, artists, writers, and musicians beloved by millions but not so well-known locally; forgotten heroes and even a few n'er-do-well "grog-drinkers and brandy tipplers."Illustrated and indexed.
Published by History Press, 2015. More information.
Ridgefield
Chronicles
A new look at the people, places and things that have
made Ridgefield, Connecticut, a fascinating community over
the past 300 years. Illustrated with many old
pictures and maps, Ridgefield Chronicles describes
heroes and hermits, the famous and infamous, the
mysterious and the forgotten. The book also offers
glimpses of how Ridgefielders lived and worked long ago,
and how they had fun. Published by History Press, 2014. More
information.
The Secrets of
Wildflowers
More than 300 colorful pages describing the natural
history, folklore, uses, name origins, and horticulture of
hundreds of North American wildflowers, including more
than 90 color photographs by the author. Published by
Lyons/Globe-Pequot, 2003. Now available in paperback. More
information.
Ridgefield
1900-1950
An illustrated history of Ridgefield, featuring more
than 215 postcards views produced in the first half of the
20th Century. Filled with interesting and entertaining
facts and anecdotes about the town, its places and its
people. Published by Arcadia, 2003. More
information.
Five
Village Walks
A 56-page walking history tour of the center of
Ridgefield, Connecticut, extensively illustrated with old
photos of the routes. Third edition published by the
Ridgefield Historical Society, September 2008. More
information.
Notable
Ridgefielders
Biographical sketches of some 400
interesting Ridgefielders of the 20th Century. Published
Acorn Press, December 2000. More
information.
No longer in print but available used...
Hedgemaids and Fairy Candles: The Lives and Lore of North American Wildflowers (McGraw-Hill, 1993); The Internet Guide to Birds and Birding (McGraw-Hill, 1999; The Internet Outdoor Family Fun Yellow Pages (McGraw-Hill, 1999)
Jack Sanders spent 47 years covering the news and people of Ridgefield as a reporter and editor of The Ridgefield Press. He has also written and lectured widely on wildflowers, an interest he developed 40 years ago when he was involved in a natural history survey of the community. He also gives talks on local history.
Contact him at jackfsanders {at sign} gmail {dot} com.
To explore the rich history of Ridgefield, Connecticut, visit RidgefieldHistory.com
