Maryland Books

Twenty-six years after its chartering, the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad had finally reached its original goal - To build a railroad 352 miles all the way from the growing seaport town of Baltimore, MD to its terminus of Wheeling, VA (now WV) on the Ohio River. The intent was to provide a transportation link for grain and manufactured goods coming east from Ohio and the surrounding area to Baltimore.

In accomplishing this goal, the greatest physical obstacle that this railroad faced in its drive to Wheeling was traversing the daunting Seventeen-Mile Grade west of Cumberland, and sixty miles later, to descend the equally-daunting Cranberry and Newburg grades immediately west of Terra Alta, WV to Grafton, and on to Wheeling. We may never learn about the actual numbers of laborers, tons of rock, and dirt either removed, drilled, or used to fill ravines to as level a grade as possible to allow the actual and safe passage of freight and passenger trains. But one thing is certain - the experience gained from this engineering feat formulated important principles for future railroad construction jobs, not just on the B&O, but for other railroads as well. It was from these "lessons learned" that earned the B&O the name of "The Railroad University of America," a sobriquet given by Mr. in his article, "

Charles Roberts' book, "West End", relates the obstacles faced by the B&O in getting up Seventeen-Mile Grade and west down Cranberry and Newburg Grades in the 1840's, plus the years after reaching Wheeling where the B&O continued to grow. Also, the various construction projects to improve on the original route over the mountains as well as the B&O's acquisition and improvement of smaller rail lines in the intervening years is covered. Charley Roberts has an earthy style of writing that seems to fit the subject matter covered, which may not be to every rail historian's liking, but the result is a volume that comprehensively covers this geographic area of the B&O that no one until now has done to such an extent. This book was the first in a trilogy that Charley later wrote, "East End" (in collaboration with Jeffrey Hollis), and "Sand Patch."

Together with "Fireballs and Black Diamonds," this book should be in the collection of every Western Maryland Railway fan. Illustrated with the highest quality color photographs of WM that you will ever find, this book sets THE STANDARD in analysis and discussion of the WM as an operating railroad. I own TWO copies of this book because one is completely falling apart from years of using it as a reference guide. I have learned more about the Western Maryland from this book than from any other single source. If you can locate it, buy it! Don't worry about the cost, because you will read and review this book so many times that you could not possibly pay too much.

The startlingly clear sense of time and place, the sharply drawn evocation of childhood with its world of half-understood adults and fully realized fears and fantasies, the humor and pain of growing up, of simply being who one is and becoming who one must--all make reading Hodges' What the River Means an experience not to be missed. One meets not only the intriguing and delightful manifestations of the writer's many selves, but also her collection of idosyncratic relatives, childhood friends (and enemies), and the people and creatures of her world along the river. The Vegetable Man comes to life driving his wagon on a dusty road; proud and grotesque, Grandfather fishes with Betsy in the nettle-infested depths of the Severn; Grandmother beheads crocuses on Easter morning; and a herd of deer appears miraculously out the back window, leading mother and daughter to a fragile peace. We swim, float, and kayak the river with the writer, catch and taste buttery crabs, and listen with her to the adults murmuring downstairs after dark. Hodges takes us into those very real old childhood dreams we have almost forgotten, dreams of fantastic horseback adventure, heroic rescues of the weak, and "Dreams of Pushbutton Eyes." At times nightmare intertwines with dream, just as reality and fantasy do in the lives of children, and Hodges shows us death of the very old and the very young; illness, aging, and loss; failures, accidents, mistakes; and the courage it requires to examine and accept these universal human facts of life. What does the river mean? I think Hodges' Severn River embodies not only both her own real and perceived past but also that of any sensitive, emotionally honest individual. Indeed, in the "real-ness" of her written experiences we receive a sense of the eternal. During the hours we spend taking pleasure in her pages, the river links for us the memories and experiences of a young girl and the woman she becomes; but just as the river changes through years and seasons, so will this writer's messages for her readers. As an avid reader and would-be writer, an English teacher of no little experience, and a person who has grown up without a real home, on the move as it were, I have treasured the people, places, and adventures Elizabeth Hodges has so bravely--and skillfully--shared with her readers. Be one.

This book is a wonderfully written story about what occurred in history during the life of a huge oak tree in Maryland. The beautiful and detailed illustrations by Kim Harrell make the book a favorite with my 6 and 3 year olds. I highly recommend this book to anyone (Young or old) who loves history, good storytelling and great art.

I will admit to being a bit biased, as I live near Assateage Island National Seashore - the setting of this book - and spend a great deal of time there. But this really is a great story. So much attention has been paid to the wild ponies of Chincoteague (Misty, etc.) that I am glad the Assateague ponies get the attention here. I have never read a disappointing Jim Arnosky book, and this is no exception. His illustrations are incredible, and his simple poetry moves the reader through a day with the wild horses that is very moving. Not only does Arnosky teach about pony ecology, and how they fit into the barrier island ecosystem, but he features many of the other creatures that share this special place. This is a terrific story for horse lovers and those who love beaches and wetlands. I cannot recommend it highly enough, and encourage readers to check out all of Arnosky's wonderful nature books.

A great publication for the historically inclined or those who ever lived in the town and are looking for a peek back in time. 1939 era black and white aerial photos of the major industries and streetscapes of the city are of very high resolution. Each industry and their 'plants' and factories are described in the back of the book(let) but the crown jewel is the inside cover of the town square before its ultimate two-time reconfiguration.

Living in the Baltimore area for the past nine years, I thought I was somewhat familiar with the history of the city as well as most of the local sights. When I saw the full title of WISH YOU WERE HERE, this part intrigued me: "A Guide to Baltimore City for Natives and Newcomers." I'm actually neither, but I suppose I'd be considered more a newcomer than anything else...and this book has re-introduced Baltimore to me in a way that makes me enjoy and appreciate it's singular identity all the more. Written in a friendly yet informative tone, it reads almost like a letter from a friend who wants to share a beloved hometown with you. I highly recommend it to all "natives and newcomers" who want to know what makes Baltimore the unpretentious yet fascinating place that it is.

The Wonder Crew is simply put--a great read. It is well written, historically interesting, and brings together politics, sports, WWI and WWII. The Golden Age of Sports is at its best in Saint Sing's masterfully written book. Rowers will love it and anyone just looking for something new and different will like it too!

Chock full of vintage photos (over 350!) of Worcester County (Maryland), the land of gentle streams and pounding surf, fertile farms and swamp lands, idyllic harbors and crowded beaches. This rare historical record takes you on a nostalgic trip and features maps, illustrations, and photos of people and places, schools and homes, back as early as the early 1600s! The communities of Snow Hill, Pocomoke City, Berlin, and Ocean City are fully represented. Perfect for the collector; ideal as a gift!

The years of the American Revolution were a time of turmoil in the colonial state of Maryland in general, and Annapolis, its capital city, in particular. The World Turned Upside Down: Children Of 1776 is the story of one family who actually lived during this tumultuous time when it seemed that there comfortably little world was turned upside down. From the Annapolis "tea party" and the burning of the ship "Peggy Stewart", to the war's end, the five Sands children and their parents were witness and participants to events resulting in the creation of the United States of America. Very highly recommended for family, school, and community library collections, The World Turned Upside Down is quite expertly written by Ann Jensen for young readers in the fourth and fifth grades, with her lively and historically accurate text being superbly enhanced with the artwork of Marcy Dunn Ramsey, a section of notes, an extensive glossary, and a detailed index.