Maryland Books

This is an unabridged republication of the work originally published by Architectural Book Publishing Co., in 1919. The title is a bit of a misnomer because some wood houses, such as George Washington's Mount Vernon, are shown and there is an emphasis on the finish millwork detailing. Aside from the Introduction and two chapters with notes which give a short historical blurb and sometimes a floor plan, there is no text. The black & white photos are often grainy or muddy, but they give a fascinating view of the properties in their pre-restored, preserved condition. In addition, there are some measured drawings showing a selection of some elevations and details such as chimneypieces and doorways, both exterior and interior. Architects have used this valuable resource for almost 90 years and this inexpensive paperbound Dover reprint makes it available to a wider audience -- professionals, students or simply those who enjoy historic American buildings.

I picked up this book originally because I have several families in early Maryland -- but none of them were indexed. Then I read the "Introduction" and found that the author had chosen the 500 or so families he includes because "there was some reason to believe their home parish (or at least their home county) had been identified," at least tentatively, because these families had descendants in the New World, and because most had arrived before 1800. Fair enough. Although this means that the reader won't find any new breakthrough information here, it's nevertheless useful to have previously published data all in one place. In fact -- in addition to Weis's _Ancestral Roots_ and other commonly available titles, the seventeen-page bibliography includes many sources most researchers probably will never have the opportunity to see, such as _Alumni Cantabrigensis_ [graduates of Cambridge University], _The Cockersand Chartulary,_ Berry?s _Pedigrees of the Families in the County of Kent_ (published in 1830), the publications of the various British Parish Register Societies, the entire series of Victoria Histories of the Counties of England, and a large number of 19th century family histories. Entries are alphabetical by family name and each lays out a number of generations, summarizing all the key data known about each. Textual citations to the bibliography are very detailed, allowing the reader to go to the author's sources and make personal judgments of their trustworthiness. Blazons of heraldic arms are included where available, and a glossary explains the terminology. There's also a seven-page "Bibliography of Royal Descents," revised since its original publication in the _Maryland Genealogical Society Bulletin._

They sure knew how to write books back then. None of the filth and dirty words these authors use today. Just good old-fashioned common sense and wholesome storytelling.

A+++++

I pass Brunswick on the highway every day, but never knew its history. I enjoy reading what once was in small towns. I've read all of Ms. Rubin's books and learned something with each book.

This book is about an influential businessman's crime of evading payment of legally required fees in connection with his obtaining an illegal building permit issued by Anne Arundel County's Permit Office. Despite being informed beforehand of the illegality Permit Office officials colluded with the businessman allowing both illegal actions. But this was just the tip of the iceberg.

The shocking fact is in the systemic corruption that ensued on appeal of the businessman's crime and illegal permit. The appeal involved Anne Arundel County's Board of Appeals, the County's Circuit Court, and Maryland's 2nd highest court, the Court of Special Appeals of Maryland. All three of these courts used biased, unethical and corrupt tactics to avoid the law in aiding and abetting the businessman's crime and illegal permit. In so doing the judges involved opted to commit their own crimes of obstruction of justice rather than follow the law to bring his crimes to justice.

The biased, unethical and corrupt tactics included: suppression of evidence and law, misrepresentation of testimony, reliance on perjured testimony rather than law, and a cover-up by the County's attorney to obstruct justice; this was followed by crooked judges that lied, misinterpreted and misquoted the law violating their own ethics and established review standards, and a dirty trick to boot! The result? The law and justice were destroyed by this cesspool of systemic corruption allowing the corrupt businessman to evade the payment of required fees and to operate under an illegal permit. Maryland and all its citizens lose by the existence of this thriving cesspool of systemic corruption.

Jack Patermaster, the book's author had first-hand knowledge of this corruption as he was the appellant. He used his skills as a former federal audit manager and CPA to compile the book with ample documents and evidence to support the biased, unethical and corrupt acts at each of the appeal courts, and the collusion between the businessman and County's Permit Office.

The book is published by PCB, Inc., West River, MD 20778. Call 1-800-866-2848 for inquiries.

Wonderfully edited, written, and especially photographed memories of life and lives for the past century. Being a compilation of photos from the Baltimore Sun, it is primarily about the state of Maryland, but the book captures life in the entire country. The beautiful photographs will take you home, not only to places and times that you may have experienced, but also to something deeper inside us all. The A. Aubrey Bodine photographs are especially a treasure. The exceptionally written short text at the front of each section properly sets up the photos. I look at this book often, and come away with different feelings each time.

Chaplain Davis held firm to his faith and his bible, and, in his diary, he meticulously recorded the most detailed insights and observations of General John Bell Hood and the brigade. This book actually surprised me, I was expecting a plain and boring ministerial observation of God, Hell, and those demon Yankees. In fact, Davis recorded some of the most interesting facts that I have ever read relating to Hood, the brigade, and the Civil War. He was careful to write, almost instantly, the exact words that Hood spoke and shouted to the brigade. Regarding marches, brigade assignments, battle casualties and results, and of course the soldiers' deaths, Davis kept detailed records. His diary, it is fair to say, is similar to the astute unit historian's account. I highly recommend it.

Matthew D. Parker

This book, with its wonderful array of photographs, provides a nostalgic trip down memory lane for anyone who lives (or has lived) in beautiful, historic Southern Maryland, which has been called "the Land of Pleasant Living."
-- Joe Carvajal

We wore out the first copy within 3 months, bought a second for the car. Comprehensive -- every road, trace, damp ravine (well, maybe that's going a bit too far) -- and accurate. Printed at a very readable scale. For someone used to NSEW-oriented streets in the SW US, a little time curled up with this map provided an absolutely essential re-orientation to the delightful aimlessness of southern MD roads.

If you live on, near or visit and love Chesapeake Bay you should read this engaging and informative book. A collection of John Page William Jr.'s columns from "Chesapeake Bay Magazine," the book walks you through a year on the Bay and it's surrounding country. Once you've read it, you'll be amazed at how it sharpens your view of what is going on around you on or along the water. This is a book for anyone who enjoys the Bay in any way -- boating, camping, cottaging, or just sitting by the waterside on a quiet afternoon with a line in the water. Highly recommended!