Includes bibliographical references (p. 243-248) and index.

The birth of the Sound -- Early residents -- Adriaen Block and the first explorers -- The American Mediterranean -- The Industrial Age -- Ostering -- Sprawling suburbs -- Strangling the Sound -- The brink of disaster -- Sewage -- The cleanup -- The new Sound. "Long Island Sound is not only the most heavily used estuary in North America, it is also one of the most beautiful waterways, with picturesque seascapes and landfalls. But centuries of pollution and other abuse have gradually been killing off its marine life and have pushed the Sound to the brink of disaster. This book traces the history of the Sound and its use as a resource from the time of contact between the Native Americans and Dutch traders through the suburban sprawl of recent decades - and tells how a group of scientists and citizens has been working to save the Sound from ruin."--Jacket.