Pennsylvania Books

I never gave much thought to those trips to the Main Hotel for fish sandwiches, watching the Chartiers rush by in the wet winter months, or walking down by the railroad tracks skipping school when I was a kid. Now, I have a newfound appreciation of my old hometown(Actually, I consider myself a Scott Township native, but it's up the street and around the corner from Carnegie).

Reading about Hometown Hero Honus Wagner, Steel magnate Andrew Carnegie and his generosity, and all the colorful characters who made up Carnegie's history had me entralled in Sandy Henry's new book.

I was captivated by the pictures. The nuns on the boat in flood just cracks me up. It's worth buying the whole book for that picture alone.

The Carpenter's Company of Philadelphia, chartered in 1724 and descended from the Worshipful Carpenter's Company of London, is still in existence today, was at one time a virtual monopoly-guild in the building trades in colonial Philadelphia, and carried many fraternal- and mutual-relief obligations for its members. If one looks at the colonial member lists (still visible in Carpenter's Hall -sound familiar?) one sees many FreeMasons and many Philadelphia "builders" who played prominent parts in the War for Independence. A notable example is Col. Thomas Proctor of the Continental Line Artillery, who was the Sitting Master of Masonic Lodge #2 in 1777 when the British occupied Philadelphia, and took himself and his officers off to Valley Forge to Winter with the Continental Army and meet in "military" lodge #19 while lodge #2 continued to meet in the City -under British occupation. Bro Proctor was also the "eminence gris" who procured use of Carpenter's Hall by the Continental Congress when the Founding Fathers had no place to meet in 1775. Members were once sent out to the residences of deceased members to retrieve the "rulebook" before the wife could have a look, and no less than Pres. Thomas Jefferson was REFUSED a copy of same for patterns to use when building Monticello (he was not a member). A colonial curiosity.
Bro Brian Fegely...

Henry W. Shoemaker (1880-1958) was an important man in his day, an author, a publisher, a conservationist, a folklorist, a Pennsylvania booster, and a friend to such men as Theodore Roosevelt and Gifford Pinchot. Henry Beam Piper (1904-1964) was an author, amateur historian and gun enthusiast, who is most widely remembered today for his Terro-Human Future and Paratime sci-fi stories. In 1927, these two men jointly published a book that was a catalogue of the many Pennsylvania weapons that the two men had collected. Each weapon is described, and any interesting provenance is listed.

Overall, I found this to be an interesting read. As Mr. Shoemaker had hoped in the introduction, this book does indeed give the reader a view into the guns that were an everyday part of life in early Pennsylvania. By the way, if this book does interest you, you should consider reading H. Beam Piper's book, Murder in the Gunroom, in which a P.I. must solve the murder of a gun collector.

This book was one of my best Christmas presents. It challenges the long established view that the Gettysburg campaign was a clearcut success for the Union horsemen. Indeed, given their advantages in supplies, weapons, numbers, horseflesh, and fighting on home ground, it is a surprise the Rebs did not do worse. It also shows that many of Stuart's command decisions were correct, since they are often overshadowed by his gargantuan failure of leaving Lee in the dark as to the movements of the Federal army. However, what I found most helpful about this book was its emphasis not just on the fighting around Gettysburg, but the cavalry battles that occured during the advance and retreat of the Confederate army. All in all, a great book that deals eloquently and concisely with its subject.

Everyone entering or thinking of entering the teaching field, should read this book. Ms. Bartoli gives the reader the "how to" succeed in urban schools and how to make a difference. Her passion for providing quality and equally in education for everyone is evident throughout this book.

This is a big, fact-filled book which was commisioned by the PRR to commemorate their centennial. The text recounts the growth and development of the Pennsylvania Railroad in great detail up to its publication date of 1948. It contains useful maps and information about finances, engineering projects, etc. The index is adequate. In short, this is a reference work, and not a "railfan" book. Treat it as such and you'll find it to be most useful.

The drama and personalities of the battle for labor rights against Andrew Carnegie and Henry Clay Frick and the Pinkertons and the state militia are throughly covered in this extensive volume. Dr. Krooth also explores the implications for labor and U.S. industry itself contained in this struggle and eventual defeat for the largest union of its time. Union problems are discussed: elitism, overconfidence, inaction; and the overwhelming power of the owners to act supporting by a private army, then the militia, and then court harassment of unionists. The hollowness of the temporary victory of very rich men is analyzed, and its long shadow, reaching to our time, well depicted. The book spells out developments in the 20th century seen in embryo at Homestead and has full documnetation a rich collection of primary quotation. A film script based on this volume is underway by the author, as well. (review by Morris Edelson, Ph.D.)

The most comprehensive book I've seen for describing and explaining the whys, wherefores, and hows of the geology, chemistry and practical studio concerns of clay. As it is set up as a textbook, it would be great for college or university students who want to be sure they really know their ceramic science inside and out. It is readable and had many illustrations. One of the most interesting aspects for me is the repeated reference to the artist's reverse re-creation of the natural geologic process which form the clay. The chemistry all works in reverse as we form and fire our work. I think that's sort of romantic!

Thanks for looking! Hope Adelida and Rueben steal your hearts. I love hearing from my readers. Contact me at ccbrown@academicplanet.com
Happy Reading, Carolyn Brown

Speel meticulously explains how the South is a kind of poison apple of American politics. After the Civil War the Democrats won the South but lost most of the Presidential elctions. Now it turns out that the Republicans own the South but are having difficulty winning Presidential elections. A splendid insight! This book is a place to being understanding American politics.