Pennsylvania Books

I gave this calendar as a Christmas gift. The recipient, my mother, loves the Pennsylvania Amish area, and this wall calendar captured the scenery of the area and the Amish culture beautifully. Needless to say, she was thrilled with the gift.

Solid research of how a group of Union soldiers prepared themselves, both physically and mentally, prior to the Confederates onslaught of the town of Gettysburg in July 1863. The books reads like a movie, with interesting characters and fascinating events.

As someone (from the UK) researching into early Pennsylvania history and its English connections, the opportunity to gain access to primary historical data from the first 40 years of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is priceless. Some of this data may well be available online, but the concentration of names, dates and descriptors in this slim volume (3 pages short of 300) - tied in with a comprehensive index - provides a rich vein to mine. The wills, in chronological order from Thomas Fream's in Sep 1682 to Thomas Sharp's in Feb 1723, all have the salient factual details (dates, names, descriptions, and places), although as it says on the can, these are abstracts - it is a reference book, not a bed-time reading book!
The paperback has plasticized covers, so although light, is a little more durable than simple paper covers. It arrived in the UK safely and in good time.

I love ADC maps, and buy one any time I intend to spend any significant amount of time somewhere.

I love my new ADC Metro Philadelphia Map book! My other one from ADC was over 15 years old and in shreds. I couldn't find a new one in any local stores. I'm so glad Amazon had it! The detail is amazing and the maps are up to date and very accurate. Also, it is more expansive; including more of the suburban areas in southeastern Pennsylvania and western New Jersey. I would recommend it to everyone.
Eileen T.

Thorough documentation of Civil War-era battle flags is largely distinguished in its absence. Indeed, it is most unfortunate and very nearly a crime that more has not been done to tell the stories behind these flags and, more importantly, tell the stories of the MEN (and perhaps even the WOMEN) of the North and South who carried them into the "leaden hail" from Gettysburg to Glorieta Pass. Happily, this situation has been remedied to some extent by the appearance of the, dare I say, monumental two-volume work "Advance the Colors!" which remains almost unique in its detailed treatment of the various flags presented to Pennsylvania regiments during the "Late Unpleasantness." "Advance the Colors!" is a genuine work of scholarship; however, it is also a snappy read and is readily accessible to even those who think history is merely "one damn thing after another." The information on the Pennsylvania regimental color-beare! rs--their fascinating, inspiring, and occasionally tragic stories--is alone worth the price. I would say that "Advance the Colors!" is a flag book even a flag-BURNER could love. If nothing else, "Advance the Colors!" should go a long way toward shaming other states into taking more interest in their regimental flag collections. Ohio is supposed to be working on a similar project and possibly Indiana as well. We can only hope so; more works like this would be a fine way to remember and honor those who gave "the last full measure of devotion." Five stars and two thumbs up for "Advance the Colors!"

This book is a tremendous synthesis of the history of human consciousness as developed through works of art. Singer's unique vision comes through in his text with a grace that is achieved partially through his style obviously influenced by his skill with fiction writing. I highly recommend this for any student of aesthetics or anyone interested in the formation of the field and it latest applications.

It wouldn't have mattered if we hadn't! This book is a must for Central Pennsylvania residents, of course. However, I feel that the book would be enjoyed by any reader with an interest in Black America. A good read!

This book explores with depth and and perceptiveness the different forms Women's activism taking place within sub-saharan africa. With africa's image being over-shadowed by war and political conflict this book offers an even handed look at what is happening on the round, and how women themselves are effecting change.

After The Smoke Clears: Struggling To Get By in Rustbelt America by Steve Mellon (a journalist and staff photographer for the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette) is an informed and moving chronicle of the rise and fall of the steel and mining industry in America. A tale of the communities surrounding the employment bounty of the steel mills, and the struggle to survive when the closure of this employment bounty left a void in people's ability to support themselves, After The Smoke Clears is a compelling and highly recommended saga of twentieth-century American history enhanced with black-and-white photography.