Pennsylvania Books

After a brief visit to the Johnstown Flood National Park in Pennsylvania, I started digging at my local library for books and videos. I found this book, which was also for sale in the Park gift shop.

I found this to be very readable. Lots of photos and illustrations that broke up what could have been a very dry, but dramatic text... as a result, this book works for BOTH kids and adults. It frequently refers back to the definitive work from 1968, David McCullough's "Johnstown Flood"... but is a much briefer book designed to tell all sides of the story and illustrates it as well.

From the graphic cover painting, to the wide margins and easy to read type face, this book has been positioned to stand on most school library shelves.... The only problem is that it won't stay there long enough for you to find it.

A fine gift for those of any age who are interested in the Greatest Flood disaster in the USA, that helped to launch the American Red Cross to national prominence.

Definitely consider this book! Reasonably priced, very accessable, recently published in 2000.

*(Now, I'm looking for the other books in the series....)
Enjoy!

PS: I also found the PBS America Experience "The Johnstown Flood" video and thought it did a WONDERFUL job of telling the tale... with emphasis on the life around the lake and townspeople's lives BEFORE the flood. The actually depiction of the flood is fairly short, and comes late in the program, but very worth waiting for. The original short 20 minute documentary won an academy award, and the hour-long expanded video will not disappoint. WARNING: Avoid the Descriptive Audio for the visually handicapped version, unless you need help. The skillful narration sandwiched between the original narrator's voice is distracting and spoils the mood. [David McCullough does a stand-up intro and close at the National Park display too!)
But do watch any version you can find at your library, or order it from Public Broadcasting Service or your local station.!!!!)

The 1889 Johnstown Flood is a story that is frequently difficult to tell to children, but with this book, Mr. Gallagher succeeds.

He tells the story honestly, and, most importantly, he does not "dumb down" the story.

Text is well researched and presented, and the illustrations are expertly chosen.

After using this book, which both kids and adults should enjoy, the reader will have a true appreciation for why the Johnstown Flood is such a significant story, and one that cannot be forgotten.

Morimoto seeks to recast Edwards theology of conversion, justification, sanctification, and glorification in a more ecumenical context than what he calls "textbook protestantism". In a way, this makes sense, in that Edwards is without a doubt the foremost American theologian yet to emerge. On the other hand, it's a little weird, in that Edwards himself did not interact much with Roman Catholicism. In fact, most of Edwards works are very much defined by the intellectual climate of 18th century New England, and the theological confrontation with New England "Arminianism".

Morimoto compares Edwards primarily to Roman orthodoxy as defined by Aquinas and the Council of Trent. In doing so, he shows that many of the differences stem from an inability or unwillingness of both protestants and the defenders of Roman orthodoxy to understand the terminology being used by the other side.

Morimoto also offers frequent comparisons between Edwards and the first generation of reformers (Luther, Calvin, Bucer, etc.). The examples he chooses suggests that Edwards formulations are more in line with historical protestantism than much of modern protestantism, and that the very things (such as his definition of faith) that have embarrassed some Edwards scholars like Perry Miller because they seemed to lean toward Roman doctrinal formulations are in fact the points at which Edwards most strongly echoes the early reformers.

Morimoto observes that recent Edwards scholarship has been more cognizant of this fact. From this, he suggests that the current Protestant and Roman understandings of salvation are closer than they have been at any time in the last three centuries.

Morimoto's thesis is an interesting one, and he supports it well from primary sources. If nothing else, this book should stimulate the thought of its readers and perhaps some interesting debate.

Morimoto analyses Edwards "catholic" soteriology and shows it to be consistent with the thinking of the great Reformers. The study highlights the compatibility between at least some reformation traditions and the doctrines of Trent on justification. He is successful in showing that much of the disagreement between Reformation teaching and Tridentine Catholicism are differences in the way words are used to describe a shared understanding. These differences became hardened into theological systems that until recently have seemed to both sides to be incompatible.

Anyone interested in ecumenism grounded in the common search for the truth will find this book very useful and enlightening.

This is a book for anyone facing a life-threatening situation. Yes, the reader feels the author's pain, senses his suffering, and feels his fear; however, this simply makes the victorious outcome even more joyful. It is really the story of an entire family and how they handled a very difficult situation. It is about love and strength and the determination of a man to beats the odds and "get well." Although the author uses his mind and meditations,. . . as a Christian, I clearly understood that he considered these as gifts from the Creator and not in and of himself. Buy this book for yourself and also a copy for a friend. You don't have to have a life-threatening illness to draw from its inspiring passages. It is a book that I have read over and over . . . and it will be a permanent part of my library. No, it isn't about a sure cure for cancer but it is about a journey in life that leads to wholeness. I thank God for healing this man and using him as an example of courage and strength. I am sure the author's life must now reflect that of His healer.

The methods I utilized to live(9)years with leukemia and also to survive a bone marrow transplant when my predicted odds of survival were 15 -20%, included the use of my mind and meditation, a support network of love from my family and friends, physical exercise, and a strong spiritual strength.

We are in the process of moving from PA to CT. I friend bought my 5 year old son this book as a going away gift. My son loves it. The pictures are great and text is written in rhyme. It made a wonderful gift.

This review will cover all these books since I have bought for every state for each andchild and friend's children wherever they live. They are the greatest for all ages to know about the various states. The pictures are exceptional.

This book brings back the memories of this wonderful amusement park. Sixty years ago PPG in Creighton, Pa. would have a train especially for their annual picnic at Kennywood. From the towns along the Allegheny River picked up the employees to spend a wonderful day at the park. The train stopped and it was a long walk up a steep hill to enter Kennywood. What a worthwhile climb! Happiness was spending a full day there. PPG gave out prizes at drawings for their employees at a designated area.
Many different ethnic groups had their day at Kennywood. There were great picnic areas. The grounds were always clean. The landscaping crew had flowers everywhere. Buy Rick Sebak's DVD on Kennywood.
It was great seeing all of the recorded (photographs) and narration on a part of personal memories at a wonderful setting that many of us will never forget and cherish forever.

This was a very interesting book, especially for one that went to Kennywood while growing up - school picnincs, family visits, band trips for Fall Fantasy parades, dates, etc. to see the history of Kennywood.

I would recommend this book to anybody that grew up in the 'burgh & went to Kennywood.

THE PICTURES ALONE ARE WORTH MUCH MORE THAN THE PRICE OF THE BOOK-HAVING BEEN TAKEN BY A SHUTTER BUG--MR. HAGAN. THE BUILDING
OF THE HOUSE IS DESCRIBED IN DETAIL IN WORDS AND PHOTOS-FROM BARE
LAND ON A KNOB TO THE FINISHED PRODUCT. GREAT READ IN ALL PHASES.

Kentuck Knob: Frank Lloyd Wright's House For I.N. and Bernardine Hagan is the author's personal and detailed story of what it was like to be a client of and to work with the legendary Wisconsin architect to build the home known as "Kentuck Knob" and her life in this rural and idyllic location. Kentuck Knob is replete with stories, more than 150 b/w photos, 8 pages of color photos, insightful correspondence, and informative observations. Written by one of the last people still living who actually knew Frank Lloyd Wright and the experience of being a client of the great and controversial American architect, Bernardine Hagan's Kentuck Knob is "must" reading for devotees of Wright's work, as well as a seminal contribution to professional and academic Architectural Studies reference collections and supplemental reading lists.

This is an essential book for anyone planning to paddle Pennsylvania's rivers. It literally describes EVERY river, stream, or creek in Pennsylvania and gives a nice description and overview of each. In addition there are great maps and descriptions of put-in and take-out points as well as parking areas. He also describes which USGS guages to check for each stream and at what levels the guage needs to be in order to get through without dragging. It is a little money very well spent.

A good guide that covers everything you need to know to canoe or kayak in rivers and streams in Eastern PA. Hundreds of streams and rivers covered.

Kingdom of Coal is a very well done telling of the history of anthracite coal. The book tells the story from the days when stone coal was first discovered in the wilderness of Eastern PA, through its development as a major energy source, and into the labor struggle. Closely associated is the development of canals, known as the anthracite canals to bring the coal to market and later the development of railroads. Still later the railroads, known as the anthracite railroads owned most of the mines.

The book also covers the close association between coal and the iron industry. Anthracite was first used by blacksmiths. It soon replaced charcoal in blast furnaces to reduce iron ore to iron. Iron rails for the railroads, previously imported from England, were an early product.

Missing in the book is the story of the gaslight industry. Processes for the manufacture of gas from coal were invented in 1815. Nearly every city of any size had a gas plant to supply gaslights. This was an early user of coal--originally imported from Europe. The industry continued until World War II when transcontinental pipelines brought natural gas to the distribution systems originally built for manufactured gas.

This is the definitive history of the birth, rise and fall of the anthracite coal industry in three northeastern Pennsylvania fields: Schulykill, Lackawana and Wyoming. Written in narrative form with copious references, it details the everyday trials and tribulations of the immigrants who worked the fields and the coal companies who exploited them. This is must reading for anyone wanting an insight into the lives of their ancestors who immigrated and worked these fields between 1800 and 1970,

Written by one of the truest exponents of this martial philosophy, this book stands out amongst others in its clarity. Geoffroi De Charny was a veteran of the Hundred Years War, he died in battle at Poitier. Although a tragic end, De Charny most certainly perceived this the idealized conclusion to a life in arms. To his contemporaries, De Charny was the embodiment of the code of conduct upon which he expounded so thoroughly in these pages.
In this manual of Chivalry, De Charny begins by defining a "scale of valor", a standard for prowess in battle. We receive an insight into the Medieval perception of what combat experiences warranted the greatest honor, beginning with demonstation of one's skill at Tournament, in local wars, in wars abroad, and ultimately in search of the most honorable course of action.
Divided into a succession of brief articles on various subjects of morality, good and bad virtues, and responsible conduct, this text is not only an historical insight into Medieval ideals, but a worthy guideline for our own age.

A serious student of military history realizes that not all warriors adhered to the commonly held idealized higher standards of their profession, for their time and place. Real people are more complex than that. Some did indeed make such achievement. Some sincerely tried, ...but failed. Comparing the known record of deeds long ago, with more recent events, we will always find examples where our ancestors surpassed us, ...and where we have surpassed our ancestors. We need a revival of Chivalric conduct in our own time. A fighting-man without honor is often capable of any action, ...except the right action.

I am currently reading this book for a Graduate seminar in gender and sexuality in the middle ages. The topic bores me to death, yet, this source is entertaining in a variety of ways. First, its a primary source so it is not riddled with feminist/activist arguments. It is simply a handbook from a medieval knight on how a perfect knight or men-at-arms should act. Though several pieces have insight into gender issues in the middle ages, it certainly gives the modern audience of what medieval (at least 1) knights viewed as proper behavior. Charny also speaks on how a ruler (king, lord, etc) should work within society. If your interested in medieval thought this is certainly a good book to read. If your into medieval military history this source may be helpful, yet I will warn you that it is nothing like The Art of War by Machiavelli. Your not going to find pages of military thought and strategic theories. However, if you are interested in the subject I advise you to read it, if anything you will grasp a little understanding of the individual knight or warrior through De Charny's eyes.

Do not let the stale title fool you here. Foley employs some wonderful ethnographic, qualitative research methods in this piece of work. Foley disobeys the old, archaic rules of the social sciences, in that he leaves his objectivitiy behind and immerses himself into the city of North Town (a mythical name). Texas is much more than Dallas, Houston, and San Antonio. The author shows us another side of the state. Foley focuses on the South Texas region and its much too often ignored Mexican American population. Many people do not realize the old, colonized treatment that Mexican Americans are still subjugated to and Foley makes a point of writing about this in his text. In addition to being an ethnographic account of the socially inequities that exist between the dominant Anglo population and the subordinate Mexican American population in North Town, this book is also an analysis and critique of an educational system. Foley demonstrates how the educational system in North Town perpetuates inequality and tracks its young people to take their assigned role in society according to their socioeconomic status and their ethnic background. Learning Capitalist Culture is a book for those not only interested in the social sciences, but those of us interested in research techniques and methodological approaches that are new, exciting, and part of a new kind of social science model.

Doug Foley wrote a very food account of a small town in this book. It is an ethnographic, and fuliflls that part. Mostyl the book discusess the race relation of the poor town, and delves into the politics that make such a racial divide possible. I highly recommend it!