The commemorative History Lights Our Way is an illustrated, 136-page, soft-cover book that captures a record of the 400th celebrations with essays contributed by 40 Portsmouth authors. The book was created by a committee that included Jody Record as editor, co-editor Chuck McMahon who organized the essay contributors, Melville Blake who researched and procured all historical images, Bob Lister who was responsible for engaging elementary and high school students to imagine the future of Portsmouth, and Valerie Rochon who contributed details on PNH400 events and legacy projects. Designed to build on Portsmouth’s 350th anniversary in 1973 the book recaps the city’s history since then, as viewed through community members’ memories. The book is also a record of PNH400 sponsors, donors, contributors and a review of 400th Anniversary events, programs and projects. The book was sponsored by the International Association of Privacy Professionals and Tiny Bully branding agency.

According to editor Jody Record, “This must-have book features articles, essays and photographs that offer a glimpse of what took place in Portsmouth during the last 50 years, told from memory. It also contains factoids from the city’s 400 year history. It’s our hope that this book will give readers a sense of how Portsmouth has grown and changed and how it remains the same, a small city by the sea whose history is worth celebrating. All of this — the essays, the articles, the factoids, along with a collection of old and recent photographs — is a way to forge a connection between the past and the present, and to celebrate the rich history that makes Portsmouth the vibrant city it is today.”

Co-editor Chuck McMahon added, “This book recounts memories ranging from throwing snowballs in the old Puddle Dock neighborhood, to the day an Air Force jet crashed, to the venerable poet Robert Dunn.”