Over a decade ago, Amy Yarsinske began work on a book that would tell the remarkable story of the Elizabeth River. By 2006, this internationally known, award-winning author of more than 40 books felt the time was right to finish and publish the work.

“The Elizabeth River’s story is one that extends well beyond the 400 years we celebrate in Virginia with Jamestown 2007,” she says, “and there are many stories that have been told in the book that have not been recounted in the past in book form.” 

Yarsinske devotes Chapter 10 to the restoration of the Elizabeth River – led by Elizabeth River Project!”

She describes her book as a perfect marriage of narrative and images (there are about 180 pictures included) although she says it is certainly not a pictorial history.

The Elizabeth River: Virginia’s Remarkable River Princess tells many stories. It covers the rich natural diversity that makes her a living body of water. It underscores her significant human story from the Great Bridge Lock to the Norfolk Naval Station and includes so many superlatives: Andrew Sprowle’s private shipyard that has become today’s Norfolk Naval Shipyard, the oldest and largest in the nation; Sewell’s Point, the land for which was purchased in 1620 and is now the site of the world’s largest naval base, and other military oldest or biggest. Port facilities and terminals developed similarly. But this astounding  development has had a price and today, an equally remarkable restoration is underway. These stories are woven into a tapestry that ultimately honors all rivers as the lifeblood of our nation. 

Amy Yarsinske is not only a prolific writer with over two decades of experience in the publishing industry as an author and editor, she has also appeared as a guest commentator for television, radio and film documentaries in every major market in the United States and abroad. She has been interviewed by and written about in newspapers around the world. Her work in film documentary continues to be on-camera as a subject matter expert, and behind-camera in production and research. Yarsinske lives in Norfolk with her husband and three children. 

The Elizabeth River: Virginia’s Remarkable River Princess is published by The History Press.

The book is available in major bookstores, gift shops and other vendors. Get a copy for yourself and a few more as special gifts!