Born in Queens, New York, Richard Panchyk is the author of fifty-five books, including thirty-five books on Long Island and New York City history from the seventeenth century to the present. His books cover a wide array of fascinating, colorful topics that bring the long-lost past back to life. Besides Lost Long Island, his local history titles include The Beat of New York, Abandoned Long Island, Dead Queens, Hidden History of Long Island, Midtown Manhattan Through Time, New York City Skyscrapers and Forgotten Tales of Long Island.