"What day is it?" asked Pooh. "It's today," squeaked Piglet. -- A.A. Milne
"My favorite day," said Pooh
“Welcome to the Ocean State. That may seem like a grand nickname for the country’s tiniest state, which measures a mere 48 miles long by 37 miles wide, but with Narragansett Bay slicing it nearly in two, there’s no place within Rhode Island’s borders that’s more than a 20-minute drive from its 400-mile coastline. In fact, with a total of 36 islands, including Aquidneck, second largest (after Long Island) on the East Coast, Rhode Island could almost be classified as an archipelago.From "An Explorer's Guide to Rhode Island" (6th edition) by Phyllis Meras and Katherine Imbrie.
Very much a New England state in many respects, Rhode Island enjoys its own distinct identity—actually several identities, all of which involve a strong sense of independence. Rhode Island was founded in 1636 by religious refugees fleeing the rigid Puritanism of the Massachusetts Bay Colony, and soon became a haven for outcasts of all sorts—Quakers, Jews, Antinomians. Privateering—preying on enemy ships—grew simultaneously with the colony’s shipbuilding industry and often was indistinguishable from outright piracy. All of this combined to earn the colony an earlier nickname, Rogue’s Island.”
Reading Imbrie (RIP) and Meras' words reminded me once again of the joy of discovery, that is a well written, useful and accurate guide, particulary when seasoned with history, fun and occasionaly useless facts.
Over the years, I've enjoyed guides ranging from Let's Go Europe (1984) to Michelin, Moon, Rough, Lonely Planet, Karen Brown, Luxe City Guides [podcast] and Gault + Millau along with others I've long forgotten.
Flipping through a mid 1990's Lonely Planet book (!), I noticed Tony Wheeler's name. Maureen and Tony Wheeler founded iconic Lonely Planet in 1973, publishing "Across Asia on the Cheap".
"Delight your customers." - W. Edwards Deming.It's always interesting to understand the people (somewhat related Apple in China) behind the product or business. I'm glad Tony is still exploring, including a recent stop in Green Bay.
He joins us on the latest amuz podcast [Link].
Enjoy.
Subscribe to amuz podcasts here.
P.S. For finance readers, the Wheeler's "exit" (sale) to the BBC and later deals is worth contemplation:
The BBC Worldwide had paid a total of £130.2 million over four years to buy Lonely Planet. This selling price represents nearly an £80 million loss in value during the BBC’s ownership. This is despite an increase in both revenue and profit during the period.P.S. 2: Grok on recent travel guide history, brands and individuals.
P.S. 3: I have found it interesting to observe discovery on Google and Apple Maps. Both tech behemoths are stuffing everything into those platforms along with algorithmic amplification or suppresion. More to come on this topic.
