New Jersey is known for growing things, so it shouldn’t be surprising that our fertile soil has produced a thriving crop of authors and literature about our fair condition. Philip Roth, Judy Blume, Janet Evanovich, and Harlan Coben are just a few of the bestselling authors born in New Jersey. With these literary credentials in hand, we have compiled a list of some of our favorite historical books about New Jersey, all of which are non-fiction.
With a rich-filled history from the Revolutionary War to the cultural phenomenon of being the “Diner Capital of the World,” New Jersey has a lot to offer!
*As an Amazon Associate, we earn commission on your purchases at no extra cost to you.
The United States Radium Company of Orange employed numerous young women in the 1920s for a particular job. Marie Curie discovered this element's luminous property and many other applications. The women were employed painting radium on tiny watch faces. To achieve the most precise results, they were advised to wet the tip of the brush in their mouth. In addition, at that time, radium was thought to be a wonder drug. It isn't easy now to read as the girls paint radium on their lips to go to parties so they will glow. As the young women sicken and die, the company denies any guilt. This is the story of these women and their fight for dignity, survival, and justice. The story of their struggle was made into a movie in 2018.
New Jersey had more stops on the Underground Railroad than any other state. This little book is one of the most comprehensive sources for those parallel communities, composed of free and escaped slaves who lived peacefully and co-existed beside the white towns of the day. Names like Lawnside may be familiar to most, but numerous towns sprung up in the 1800s and became a link in the Underground Railroad to freedom. Most of these towns are gone and forgotten; this book gives them a name and a well-deserved historical place.
The first recorded shark attacks on humans occurred in the summer of 1916 near Beach Haven and Spring Lake. Ocean swimming was becoming a national craze, and the Jersey shore was a popular destination. This idyllic setting was shattered when the rogue Great White shark attacked five people that summer, one as far inland as Matawan Creek. This is the story of our hometown, Jaws.
New Jersey has always had a vibrant music scene. Birthplace of Sinatra, Springsteen, and Whitney. But during the 1980s and early '90s, thanks to DJ Randy Now – and Trenton club, City Gardens, kids of all ages were treated to the best music from the punk and rock scene close to home. The Ramones, Buthole Surfers, Circle Jerks, Ween, Green Day, Dinosaur Jr., Nine Inch Nails, and Nirvana were just some bands that graced the stage in Trenton. Young Jon Stewart could often be found tending bar here. This book is essential not just because I was lucky enough to be a part of this magical scene but because, as a state, we have much to sing about when it comes to our musical past. And by the way, Randy is still bringing live music to Central New Jersey from The Man Cave in Hightstown in 2023.
For eight years, New Jersey was engulfed in the Revolutionary War. Some were loyalists, and some were patriots – no matter which label was chosen, families and loyalties were often divided. Through many voices, this book tells the story of that time of conflict. Much of the war and many of the casualties of this war were born by New Jersey residents. This is the human story of the cost of war.
This is a comprehensive history of New Jersey's coastal towns from Sandy Hook to Cape May. From the whaling trade to the rebuilding efforts after Superstorm Sandy, this book gives the complete scoop on our beloved shore.
The oldest diner in New Jersey is the Dumont Crystal in Bergen County opened in 1928. I have seen this fact recently disputed. What has never been discussed is – New Jersey IS the diner capital of the world. Or at least, we once were. This book is a tribute to the golden years of diner dining.
In a state where we define ourselves by N.J. Turnpike exits, the history of the building of this artery is of critical import. Construction began in 1949, and if you've ever traveled this glorious road, it is constantly ongoing. More than 560,000 vehicles travel on this road each day. Maybe it's time we stopped to think about what a marvel it is.
From the Black Hand days to the present-day Mafia, this book gives the full story of organized crime in New Jersey. Some of the stories in this book have never been told before. In a state now forever branded by the Sopranos, it's time to get the real skinny.
Before New Jersey had the mob, we had pirates! Yes, it's no secret that Captain Kidd and Blackbeard roamed the Atlantic and sometimes made their way to the Jersey coast. It's even rumored that hidden among the estuaries, there may still be some forgotten treasure.
