5 Books that will give you a new appreciation for Rhode Island

Rhode Island might be a very small state in New England, but it is certainly mighty. Whether we are talking about its rich history or the stunning landscapes, there is something about this state that really packs a punch.

As someone who grew up in New England, I always found Rhode Island to be a stunning destination that offered so much to any visitor. But it can be hard to visit every state in the U.S., and if you aren't from New England and the nearby states, Rhode Island might not be in your vacation plans.

If you have ever wanted to get a different look at what the state has to offer, then these books might just entice you to actually plan a trip to this small but mighty state that has more than just beaches on offer.

5 Books about Rhode Island that might give you a new idea of what the state has to offer

Rhode Island's Haunted Ramtail Factory by Thomas D'Agostino and Arlene Nicholson

I don't know about you, but I love a good ghost story. And this is one I had never heard of before. Luckily, this book dives into the history of the family who owned the Ramtail Factory, what happened to them, and exactly how this place became a haunted legend.

Considering the factory is in ruins, this could be the perfect stop on a haunted ghost tour of the state (there are plenty of haunted destinations in New England). Then again, it could also just be a great spooky story to read in time for Halloween. Honestly, this is a great read for people who like ghost stories and a bit of history too.

Witches, Wenches & Wild Women of Rhode Island by M.E.Reilly-McGreen

If you are looking for a fascinating look at the history of Rhode Island, then this is a must-read. Instead of your usual look at history, this book dives into the women who helped shape the state. From a woman accused of being a vampire to another said to have cast a curse that burnt a ship after she was kicked off, these aren't your average women.

Witches, Wenches & Wild Women of Rhode Island is like a history book and a ghost story combined, and yet each of these women helped to shape the very landscape of the state. And even if their names have been forgotten with time, this book reminds us that there is more to New England than the Revolutionary War.

Scandalous Newport, Rhode Island by Larry Stanford

Newport, Rhode Island is truly a destination for tourists and visitors. It is a place where stunning mansions of the Gilded Age look out over the water and sailing is more than just a thing to do on the weekend. This is where luxury lives and the Vanderbilts had the grandest of all that luxury. But there is more to this beautiful city than what meets the eye. And of course, that is where this book comes in.

In Scandalous Newport, Rhode Island, Larry Stanford dives into the darker underside of this city and the stories that truly matter when it comes to those summer mansions. So what are some of these scandalous stories? As the blurb reveals, this is where we learn "how Cornelius Vanderbilt III was cut out of the family's fortune for his unapproved marriage to Grace Wilson and how John F. Kennedy's marriage to a Newport debutante helped to secure his presidency. Travel to the White Horse Tavern, where a vengeful specter still waits for his supposed murderer to return to the scene, and discover the mysterious voyage of the "Sea Bird" and its missing crew."

A History of the Narragansett Tribe of Rhode Island: Keepers of the Bay by Robert A. Geake

Unsurprisingly to anyone who knows their history, the U.S. is a country that was built over lands that once belonged to native tribes. And Rhode Island is no exception. While many people know at least the basic history of what happened at Plymouth in Massachusetts, many other tribes found themselves displaced in New England (and beyond). In historian Robert Geake's book, we get to learn more about the native people of Rhode Island.

In A History of the Narragansett Tribe of Rhode Island, we learn more about what happened to the tribe as the English settlers arrived and how they attempted to retain their way of life in the face of a people who had no problem eliminating anyone who would block them from what they wanted. This is not an easy read at all, but it is certainly one worth reading and remembering.

Untold Stories from World War II Rhode Island by Christian McBurney, Norman Desmarais and Varoujan Karentz

While Rhode Island might be a small state, we have already pointed out that it is still quite mighty. And its contributions to World War II are certainly a reminder of that. Did you know that John F. Kennedy actually trained as a PT boat commander in Rhode Island? This book tells us all about that and so much more.

This is a look at what Rhode Island and its people did for the war effort, including the innovations that helped win the war. For history buffs, this is an absolute must-read. And if you are someone who finds learning about a state in more unique ways, then this book is for you.