Graves of Upstate New York: A Guide to 100 Notable Resting Places, Second Edition

Chuck D’Imperio is an Upstate New York treasure who proves time and again his encyclopedic knowledge of Upstate and all its charms. . . . From ‘Queen of Comedy’ Lucille Ball’s heart-engraved headstone in Jamestown to abolitionist John Brown’s glass-enclosed marker in North Elba to industrialist/philanthropist Andrew Carnegie’s Scottish stone monument in Sleepy Hollow and points in between, this fascinating travel guide will inspire the reader to hit the road and tour these intriguing historic sites and their communities. Highly recommended! Lori Chien, chief librarian, Jervis Public Library

This is a book conducive to reading in spurts, but it’s also a handy one to have around as a reference. Check it out if you’re planning a trip to some place in upstate New York. Breezily written, it has detailed directions, plus plenty of information useful as anecdotes in social settings. Expect to find yourself more engrossed than you expect. Richard Frost, Adirondack Daily Enterprise

The short informative biographies of each individual are enjoyable reading and in no way morbid, regardless of the focus on gravestones and mausoleums.... Helpful directions to gravesite locations, extra factoids, and website links for more information make the book a great companion for road trips through the Finger Lakes region and beyond. Laurel Wemett, Life in the Finger Lakes Magazine

This is the guy who you would want to be stuck in a lifeboat with, or invite to your family Thanksgiving. His stories are spellbinding and his affect is humble. Don't fret if you can't see the author at a talk because he has mastered writing as if he was talking to you and you were a friend. Buy this book for the holidays as a gift to yourself or others. Find out why a horse made the cut. Make a New Year's resolution to visit as many of the gravesites as you can. Why? The author sums it up succinctly, 'To visit each of these grave sites is to take one hundred mini-pilgrimages down the footpaths of history.' Jessica Reed, A Time & A Place Magazine