Pennsylvania Books

This is not a typical boring history book. It is a fun history book. Wex wrote a collection of mini-biographies of the men who made the Steelers. But he did not limit the book to just Steeler stars from the past, he also included players that were lesser known. The stories are told by the players themselves. Growing up in the 70s, I would study the Steeler all-time leaders lists and read names like Lynn Chandnois and Roy Jefferson, but I had no clue who they were. Now I have a feel for who those players were and their place in building the best organization in the NFL. I don't want to tell the stories here, but I will say I learned Mean Joe Greene earned his nickname both on and off the field. Was Roy Jefferson Terrell Owens before Terrell Owens was born? I asked myself that question while reading about Roy Jefferson.

A couple things I learned were I was wrong when I thought the Steelers stunk before their 70s dynasty and a common link between players was their love and respect for Art Rooney.

Men of Steel is easy to read but hard to put down.

Jim Wexell ("Wex" is he known around sports discussions in The Burgh) has produced another great book about the Pittsburgh Steelers.

There are many things to enjoy from this books such as a behind-the-scenes lok at NFL players, the unknown stories associated with players that have never been told before, and also the nostalgia aspect of the book.

Most of the 35 players documented in the book I have watched play football with the Pittsburgh, but there are some that I never had the pleasure to watch. Jim Wexell introduces these players to you and then gives you some information that tells you about the person behind the player.

Alot of books about the Steelers will use third-hand accounts or have stories that any Steelers fan would already know. Wexell seperates himself and his book from books like that, because he uses first hand accounts and brings fresh new stories to the reader.

I don't know why I expected anything different from Wexell, because his first book that I also purchased, "Tales From Behind The Steel Curtain" was also an excellent read.

I really enjoyed the chapter about Frank Lewis and how he did not fit into the Steelers scheme of things during the Steelers dynasty years, but he was a very good NFL wide receiver. And then to learn how he he left the team...I will let you read for yourself.

My only hope now is that Jim Wexell continues to publich books like these. If you are true and die-hard Steelers fan, get this book and other Steelers books that Jim Wexell has written.

Men of Steel, is a tremendous collection of Steeler history. The book takes you through the lives of 35 former players. Interesting, funny, and informative this book held my attention start to finish. I laughed reading the Chapter on Tunch Ilkin and Craig Wolfley, and I now know what prompted the NFL to have oxygen available at every football game. Throughout this book you see the support and influence the Rooney family has had in the former players lives. I read of a connection to a necktie and a playoff game from the mid 70's. I learned how the coaches used a snow fence to motivate rookies. The Kevin Greene chapter mentions how he brought Big Macs and fries late at night for crazed fans camping out for a chance to get playoff tickets. I was one of those campers and was in awe of the free food from a player.

Jim Wexell put together an amazing book of Steeler profiles. I appreciate the extensive research that must have gone into this work. A must read for any football fan.

Bill Wasserman was probably the most dedicated WCO (Wildlife Conservation Officer) the PA Game Commission ever had as its employee for over thirty years.

Poacher Wars, by WCO Wasserman, is a compelling work in law enforcement and wildlife conservation ... a remarkable book that you will remember for years to come.

I had no idea that game wardens had the kind of investigative skills demonstrated by officer Wasserman. Crimes against wildlife can be more difficult to solve than crimes against humans. With wild animals, game wardens can't interview family & friends of the deceased to gather information that might lead to a suspect. Some of the crimes that officer Wasserman writes about were more difficult to solve than the murder of a human!

The book was very enjoyable, and I highly recommend it!

In POACHER WARS, Bill Wasserman portrays his villains vividly, comprehensively, and accurately. Reading this book reminded me of my own "hoofties" and my dealings with them, some of them with Bill at my side. Bill's writing style is easy to read, yet very descriptive. Each story has its own uniqueness and its end only wants to make you go on to the next story. If you want to know what working wildlife law enforcement is like for a Pennsylvania conservation officer, this book is a must read for you. Great job, Bill. And thanks for the memories and your friendship!
Chuck Arcovitch, WCO, retired

This Book is a great book for any beginner Potter. It has over 400 recipes for glazes and it also explains how to adjust the glaze ifyou have a problem. I love my Book and I know I will use it for a very long time.

I am thrilled with this new book I recently purchased, I have had Emmanual Cooper's other books on glazing and recipes - and found them most informative and the glazes pretty true to explanation
I also have found that they are quite stable - we fire in the higher 1260.C upwards catagory and the sometimes glaze recipes unless worked out correctly can be very unstable and uninteresting.
All in all a very worthwhile book and easy to use, a definate "MUST HAVE" for your collection

Easy to use and keeps open while I work on recipes.Great size . Great pictures on nice paper.

I finished reading "Quiet Courage" a few days ago (10/5/06)and I enjoyed it very much. Dr Kashurba's presentation was excellent just as it was in "Courage After the Crash". The entire book was emotional, informative and engrossing. Many of the accounts brought a tear to my eye.

I now have a definite idea of what the families of the Flight 93 passengers, the local residents at the crash site and all those involved in the many efforts afterwards must have felt. Using everyone's exact words brought it all home.

Using oral history effectively and sharing poignant vignettes, Dr. Kashurba provides a thoughtful behind the scenes look at the impact of Flight 93 on the local community and on the nation. The stories about the Somerset community are heartwarming and help us all heal from this tragedy. . .a valuable resource for those studying both the tragic events of 9/11 and its aftermath.

The author has given the reader an accurate collection of facts regarding Flight 93 and everything that has transpired in Somerset County since that fateful day. This book encompasses the 9/11 plot, the investigation, the recovery, and continues through to include information on the memorial efforts.

Quiet Courage is a well organized, important resource for anyone who wants to know the truth about Flight 93 and its aftermath.

What a wonderful book! Author Richard Easton weaves a charming story and fast-paced tale that tells of two boys who learn how to build friendship in spite of enormous social barriers; who discover how to acknowledge their faults and forgive each other; who realize that by courageously doing the right thing, a young person can have a big impact on his family and the wider society. A Real American is To Kill a Mockingbird for kids. I plan to give it to each of my six grandchildren as an investment in their learning to love good books and in their simply learning to love.

This novel not only descriptfully shows the past, but also puts you in the shoes of an eleven-year-old, Nathan McClelland. There is very good character development, which makes the entire novel even more believable. This book is refreshing, and don't except to be able to put it down.

I love the book! It is beautifully done, and the two young boys are wonderful characters that pull you in immediately. The entire time I was rooting for Nathan to make the right decisions and he did. Arturo is a loveable young man that has the dignity and enthusiasm for life that I wish all children possessed. Their relationship is the heart of the book, but the history and the social/ family tension is a wonderful thread throughout the novel.

A touching tour of both history and an area in Central Pennsylvania that hasn't changed considerably (thankfully) since the 18th century. The people and stories that Gordon brings to life through her travels along Route 45 are touching and allows one to reflect on the more imporant things in life and our often mis-guided priorities. The book is an easy read and interspersed with a wealth of historical references to tie the story together as well as the valleys and towns that Route 45 connects.

Using this book helped us to not only understand the history of the area when we did a three day weekend on PA Rt 45 but also helped us to find places off the beaten path.

Joan Morse Gordon's The Road Taken: A Journey In Time Down Pennsylvania Route 45 is the story of one woman's journey that began with an Interstate drive, and which led to her fascinating survey of regional Pennsylvania, its history, and the people who call the land home. Picturesque black-and-white photographs, soulful observations and colorful local personalities make The Road Taken a genuine treat for the armchair traveler and/or the Pennsylvania history buff.

This book is a classic, and thankfully it has now been reprinted. It includes detailed studies on a variety of basic rural clothing which is valid up through the 1830s at least. Some specific info on German clothing in Pennsylvania is included. Fascinating and indispensable for any rural impression in 18th to early 19th century America.

RPC contains easy-to-make basic patterns for all kinds of 18th-century clothing. There's a shirt and overshirt pattern that I used to make an overshirt for one of my first RevWar reenactments, and it was a great experience. It's a fun way to start learning hand-sewing, as the pattern is mostly squares & rectangles.

As with all sources, the information should not be taken as infallible -- do more research on your own if you have a particular period/location in mind. RPC is a good place to start.

This book has become a standard work among re-enactors and docents at historical sites around the country. While the title mentions a specific location, the patterns and info contained therein also hold true for most of the rest of early America. I have used the patterns in the book to make historically authentic clothing, and find Gehret's directions clear and easy to follow. If your looking for a source of authentic patterns of early American clothing, look no further. This is it!

This is a great book for Pirate fans. A must have for any real Pirate fan!

I even learned how the Pirates got their name!

I agree with the Midwest Book Review. I attended a book signing and met John McCollister. It's obvious he really knows baseball and loves our Pirates.

Compiled by native Pittsburgher and long-time Pirates fan John McCollister, Tales From The Pirates Dugout: A Collection Of The Greatest Pirates Stories Ever Told offers the reader a wealth of heartwarming and memorable stories on and about the Pittsburgh Pirates baseball team. Looking at the team's dynamic evolution over the past century, Tales From The Pirates Dugout embraces the spirit of the sport of baseball and showcases many of the determined and adventurous athletes who give their all to the team and the game!

'The Thaw' is a wonderfully wild, hysterically funny and bold collection of stories. They are delightfully insane built from a similar mold as the 'Last Picture Show' trilogy. The insights within each story are deep and continuos. And besides, who could pass up 22 stories for the price!

I love the way Wronoski weaves deep imagery into his tales of bizarre and sometimes twisted characters. I was also very pleased with the range of themes contained in the "The Thaw and Other Stories". I found that reading one story a day, at lunch or in the early evening, to be ideal. I'm not the most intuitive person, but sometimes after reading a story, I would found myself discovering hidden metaphors and realizing that the stories run much deeper than the plot at the surface. Besides, everybody should have a relative like Uncle Frank!!!

Jim has written the most interesting and ecclectic bunch of stories I have ever had the privelage of reading. It makes for a stimulating breakfast table conversation!

A comprehensive and detailed account of the heavy migration from German-speaking areas of Central Europe, and from Ireland, during the l8th Century. It is heavy with facts and statistics regarding the above subjects, including many charts, tables, and an appendix of all known German voyages during the period. Professor Wokeck has obviously done a lot of work researching and analyzing all the available information. She has also spent more than a little time establishing new estimates of the numbers of persons involved in the above migrations, estimates that will most likely be considered the most authoritative for many years to come.

How did tens of thousands of Germans and Irish arrive in America before the War for Independence?

How did they decide on the journey? What factors turned their heads westward instead of to the eastern settlement schemes of Prussia, or the Austrian or Russian empires? Where did they get their advice from? Who led the Germans down the Rhine? How were they collected for trans-Atlantic shipment? Which middlemen profited from (or exploited) the "trade in strangers"? What were the costs of their passage? How were they received in the valley of the Delaware?

This scholarly book addresses the earliest trans-Atlantic mass migration to North America - those immigrants from southwestern Germany and northern Ireland who arrived prior to 1775. It answers the above questions and many more.

Our immigrant ancestors didn't just jump on a boat one day and arrive in the New World many weeks later without an entire system of personal and commercial contacts, information flows, and market forces to facilitate their passage. The huge influx of Germans prior to the Revolution followed a very complex chain of immigration which ensured that ships sailing to Philadelphia from ports in Holland carried "Redemptioners" rather than mere ballast. This book is primarily focused on their experiences.

The later and lesser pre-1775 Irish immigration differed significantly from the German experience both in immigrant composition and geographic mix between the northern counties and the southern counties of Ireland. Elements of the both the German immigrant trade and the Irish immigrant trade prior to the Revolution set the pattern for all later migration in the 1800s.

If you have Palatine, Swiss, or other German ancestors who landed in Philadelphia prior to 1775, this work is a fascinating study in understanding what they were up against - the "system" that moved them and the challenges they faced within that system.

Using both first-hand accounts and statistical analysis of diverse sources and studies, "Trade in Strangers" is an excellent way to understand early German and Irish immigration into the New World. Its focus is primarily the German immigration into the port of Philadelphia but it does mention why other destinations in America were less successful at attracting these immigrants. The smaller Irish immigration prior to 1775 is dealt with to a lesser extent and is mostly used as contrast for comparison to the simultaneous German immigration.

The elements of the system of immigration to America which were to remain constant until at least 1924 are highlighted because they were first used to channel these two early immigrant streams from Germany and Ireland.

This is a thoroughly-researched and well-written book. Historians of the American colonial experience, students of immigration, and family historians may all profit from reading this.

As an amateur genealogist and family researcher I have had many questions on the mechanics of how my ancestors made their voyage from Nassau (Germany) to Pennsylvania in the 18th Century. Most sources skip over these details. However, to understand the challenge they faced, one must know these details. Wokeck has mastered many documentary sources on both sides of the Atlantic to provide the definative answers to such questions. She also explores how these early mass migrations of Germans and Irish provided a model for the later and better known 19th Century migrations. To understand how we became Americans all of use must understand the immigrant experience. That experience began with the subject of this book: the development of the transportation of European migrants into a successful business enterprise. It began small, sporadic, and experimental and became a mass commercial enterprise which was both efficient and profitable. The text and the cited sources are invaluable. I was exhilarated after reading it. It has renewed my enthusiasm for my research at a time it was in the doldrums. Any person with a 'Palatine' ancestry should consider this a 'must read.'

Also recommended: A Tide of Alien Tongues, Marrianne Wokeck (1982)