TREASURED ISLAND by Michael Gross

[amyb]

So I stopped at Barnes & Noble today to preorder this much anticipated book due out on June 16th. My sales clerk looked over his shoulder, looked at my white here, and said “wait here just a moment”

Then he walked away and came back out holding this St Barth book and said, I knew where the carton was and this one is for you! Life is good. I tucked the purchase under my arm and will begin to read it soon. Will report next week or so.

 

[cec1]

So I stopped at Barnes & Noble today to preorder this much anticipated book due out on June 16th. My sales clerk looked over his shoulder, looked at my white here, and said “wait here just a moment”

Then he walked away and came back out holding this St Barth book and said, I knew where the carton was and this one is for you! Life is good. I tucked the purchase under my arm and will begin to read it soon. Will report next week or so.

. . . waiting with breathless anticipation!

 

[GMP62]

So I stopped at Barnes & Noble today to preorder this much anticipated book due out on June 16th. My sales clerk looked over his shoulder, looked at my white here, and said “wait here just a moment”

Then he walked away and came back out holding this St Barth book and said, I knew where the carton was and this one is for you! Life is good. I tucked the purchase under my arm and will begin to read it soon. Will report next week or so.

Well done, Amy!!

 

[amyb]

So I cracked the book open…how I love that sound.

Cover shot is grand. I do wish type and font a bit bigger even if it means a heavier handful. I am going to savor it.

The new year celebrations, parties, and charity events mentioned in chapter one with the big yachts and power brokers taking over the island hot spots…well, we were there too. The glory days and press clippings fed the frenzy. I found the UNICEF bash lowered the bar and not worth the hoopla and disruptions caused ON ISLAND those set up weeks. An eyesore and a blight on the beach roads and scenic views too, IMHO.

 

[cec1]

So I cracked the book open…how I love that sound.

Cover shot is grand. I do wish type and font a bit bigger even if it means a heavier handful. I am going to savor it.

The new year celebrations, parties, and charity events mentioned in chapter one with the big yachts and power brokers taking over the island hot spots…well, we were there too. The glory days and press clippings fed the frenzy. I found the UNICEF bash lowered the bar and not worth the hoopla and disruptions caused ON ISLAND those set up weeks. An eyesore and a blight on the beach roads and scenic views too, IMHO.

My impressions, too!

 

[PeterLynn]

So I cracked the book open…how I love that sound.

Cover shot is grand. I do wish type and font a bit bigger even if it means a heavier handful. I am going to savor it.

The new year celebrations, parties, and charity events mentioned in chapter one with the big yachts and power brokers taking over the island hot spots…well, we were there too. The glory days and press clippings fed the frenzy. I found the UNICEF bash lowered the bar and not worth the hoopla and disruptions caused ON ISLAND those set up weeks. An eyesore and a blight on the beach roads and scenic views too, IMHO.

Is the book best in hardcover or just as enjoyable as a Kindle download?

 

[amyb]

Is the book best in hardcover or just as enjoyable as a Kindle download?

I am happy holding this one in my hands and enjoying the photos and knowing it will spend its remaining life on my dedicated St Barth book shelf.

 

[amyb]

Tonight I am happy to report that the beginning history reported in the early portion of the book is fascinating and filled with names of people and places so many of us know oh so well.

I will try not to spoil the thrilling discovery you will enjoy upon reading this book for yourselves. An pleasant read even though the letters and type font leans heavily to the small side.

 

[cec1]

Tonight I am happy to report that the beginning history reported in the early portion of the book is fascinating and filled with names of people and places so many of us know oh so well.

I will try not to spoil the thrilling discovery you will enjoy upon reading this book for yourselves. An pleasant read even though the letters and type font leans heavily to the small side.

Mixed input! I'm sure that subsequent chapters -- small or large type -- will offer more food for thought!

 

[amyb]

To go back to the 1600s and see the early settlers names such as Magras, Greaux, Ledee, and Leplace blew me away! Talk about island roots. To note the flags of nations that once ruled here,. Swedish, Spanish, French, British and nowadays see St Barth unfurl its very own banner is a thrill.

I got to appreciate the daring do of pilot and rascal while reading about early buccaneer Remy de Haenen as he set his eyes on a grass plateau and dared to land his small plane after the sheep got turned aside…pure joy as stories unfold. Input from past leader Bruno Magras brings in terrific insights.

I have heard these stories over the last 35 plus years during my SBH visits and I look forward to picking up the narrative where I left off last night.

 

[MichaelG]

Tonight I am happy to report that the beginning history reported in the early portion of the book is fascinating and filled with names of people and places so many of us know oh so well.

I will try not to spoil the thrilling discovery you will enjoy upon reading this book for yourselves. A pleasant read even though the letters and type font leans heavily to the small side.

So glad you are one of the very first readers, Amy, as I have long enjoyed reading you here.

 

[amyb]

So true, “You’ve come a long way, baby!”

With David Rockefeller zeroing in on this piece of paradise, can growth and development be far behind? The 60s brings electricity, desalinization, the Charneau family and Village St Jean, and automobiles to replace burros and gasoline coming in to the Public commercial port for the early vehicles.

Talk about change. Also get to learn of the political struggles challenging leader Alex Magras to get free of rule from DeGaulle’s government seated in Paris as well as free from under the rules set by politicians in Guadeloupe, the seat of the French West Indies. . The goal is to remain a free port with no taxes.

BTW, finding the font less of a strain for my old eyes.

 

[MichaelG]

First excerpt from Treasured Island is out today: https://nypost.com/2026/06/14/lifes...t-helped-turned-st-barth-into-celeb-paradise/

 

[amyb]

Picked up the book last night and read about the building of the stone house,La Vigie. Not easy with no cement mixer or wood and timber readily at hand.

Coincidentally, the Wilde’s Vigie was first house I fell in love with at first sight. As we rounded the curve, I knew we had to stop so I could get out my trusty Instamatic camera for a photo. The first of thousands of pictures that made it into my first personal island memory albums. Later, after each trip I returned to the Isle of Long and developed and organized, cut back the stacks, and culled back to 300 of my favorite shots. Yes, each trip. I also would smile cruising by Kent and Mary’s Sammy’s Moke house and parking area. Lucky to have met the Fuller’s as they stopped to chat with us while we were seen dining along the rail at Le Repaire in Gustavia.

Enjoying the book ever so much as it is helping me bring up so many good memories of my happy place and its people.

 

[cec1]

Picked up the book last night and read about the building of the stone house,La Vigie. Not easy with no cement mixer or wood and timber readily at hand.

Coincidentally, the Wilde’s Vigie was first house I fell in love with at first sight. As we rounded the curve, I knew we had to stop so I could get out my trusty Instamatic camera for a photo. The first of thousands of pictures that made it into my first personal island memory albums. Later, after each trip I returned to the Isle of Long and developed and organized, cut back the stacks, and culled back to 300 of my favorite shots. Yes, each trip. I also would smile cruising by Kent and Mary’s Sammy’s Moke house and parking area. Lucky to have met the Fuller’s as they stopped to chat with us while we were seen dining along the rail at Le Repaire in Gustavia.

Enjoying the book ever so much as it is helping me bring up so many good memories of my happy place and its people.

You & Phil, Amy, have — I’m sure — among the greatest collection of friends, memories, acquaintances, stories, AND photos of any who ever have visited St. Barths! When you finish “Treasured Island,” I propose that you take a break from reading . . . and move to putting together an album for us to feel like we were along with you on the happy journey!

 

[amyb]

So tonight I read the story of.Charlie Biddle’s family buying land and building their home. I wonder if there were any cattle changing hands in negotiating that purchase. I would look for the pineapples on the roadsides gateposts and then a bull or two munching on the grounds when heading over for a visit.

I had the pleasure of seeing photos of the construction and early days of life on that fantastic hilltop. I still remember one picture of Charlie Senior working on the roof wearing just a speedo! Wonderful Biddle stories and hospitality shown us. And the view incredible. What a great spot to put down roots.

 

[cassidain]

Yes, an A&P photo album would be a treat !