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This book is a description of the coastal heritage of North Carolina, a guide for those who wish to know her coast, and the story of how man is dealing with North Carolina's coastal resources. My method is largely subjective and impressionistic, at times eschewing scientific objectivity in favor of exploring the implications of the history and natural processes of the coast for decisions that will determine the future of the region. Coastal resource management must take into account more than legal doctrines and the predictions and projections of government planners. The human and natural history of the North Carolina seacoast is extremely rich and complex. It provides the essential background and the inescapable context for making management decisions. I offer here a humanistic exploration of the coastal heritage of North Carolina and suggestions on how that heritage should be preserved.