"Using his own observations as well as a wide array of documented sources, [Nichols] unravels the layers of history in and around Hell Gate, as well as sheds light on modern-day individuals who continue to give the landscape its character." -- Hudson River Valley Review "Hell Gate is a great historical underpinning of colonial culture, as well as a sound landscape metaphor for America in all ages, and one that is vastly under-covered. This book is passionately written and deeply researched." -- Mike Freeman, author of Drifting: Two Weeks on the Hudson "Nichols manages to tell a lively, lyrical story of his curiosity (about so many things), exploration, discovery, exertion--and occasional fears. Not just a 'boy's adventure' on forbidden waters. He roots it all in deep historical, literary, linguistic, and cartographical research. He gives us a vivid and detailed portrait of land and water surrounding the Hell Gate, which--as a non-New York City person--meant to me 'hell-hole/cesspool,' another, somewhat less notorious, Gowanus Canal. Nichols restores verdure to the banks and oysters and lobsters to the waters, for a while.

Then we wind up rowing like hell across the Gate to beat the arrival of an oncoming three-barge tow, which has all the momentum and no brakes!" -- Nicholas Westbrook, former Executive Director, Fort Ticonderoga.