John Bailey

It seems that I brought several talents into this world with me - artist, author, craftsman, musician. Here we’re interested in my author Muse.

In the late 50s I became interested in the Beat poets. I devoured Jack Kerouac’s On The Road. My idols were Lawrence Ferlinghetti, Allen Ginsberg, and Neal Cassady. I began writing poetry and reading my works in a jazz clubs and coffee houses.

While in the Navy, I kept journals of my cruises. Cruise to Northern Europe 1960: USS Barry (DD-933) is one such journal.

Sentinel of the Jersey Cape, The Story of the Cape May Lighthouse, includes illustrations, that I painted, and photographed. I donated all 1st edition proceeds to the organization restoring the lighthouse. It is in its 3rd edition.

Cape Island, The Jewel of the Jersey Shore, 3rd edition contains the history of Cape May, along with my watercolors and photographs. Its cover has a picture of the lighthouse cove. The 2nd Edition has all black and white pictures to lower the cost. So many readers requested color pictures that I published the full color 3rd edition. It’s really worth the extra bucks.

I’m a Vietnam Navy veteran. I’m retired from my leather shop in Cape May.