Pennsylvania Books

This book is gorgeous! The essays provide a variety of perspectives on Eakins work. A must have for every fan of Eakins paintings.

I'm a rower in high school on the west coast, and you don't really hear much about rowing over here, since it's mostly an east coast sport. So when my history teacher started going over Thomas Eakins and showed a clip about him from a documentary with some examples of his rowing paintings, my attention was immediately captures. I decided to do my term paper on him, but I expected it to be a long and tedious process, judging from the book I got from the library (which looked plain, boring, and old), so I put it off 'till the last minute. I just picked up the book an hour ago for the first time and just got online to see if they had any copies of it ..., since it proved to be well-written and interesting (so you don't space out so much in the middle of paragraphs like I tend to), and because it led me to think about things that are important parts of learning and art and life, but nobody ever talks about. This book proved to be insightful and fascinating, and after only one chapter, I'm hooked on the subject! And to think I was dreading reading it!

Anecdotes abound in reference to Thomas Eakins American painter, watercolorist, draftsman, photographer, and sculptor. He is remembered for relaxing after painting by working calculus problems, and shocking friends with stories of his nude models.

A skilled portraitist he painted Walt Whitman. The poet said of his likeness, "I never knew of but one artist, and that's Tom Eakins, who could resist the temptation to see what they think ought to be rather than what is."

Whitman's opinion aside, Eakins (1844 - 1916) is recognized as one of the premier American artists to appear following the Civil War. He traveled to Paris for training, and later chose to apply Beaux-Arts techniques to distinctly American subjects. His fondness for athletics is found in his noted scenes of sailing, fishing, and boxing.

He is equally remembered for his then controversial paintings of surgeons at work, and remains a key figure in American art. This beautiful volume is apt affirmation of Eakins the artist.

- Gail Cooke

More than one murder has been committed, all with the same underlying
clues, and dead bodies leave a trail for investigation. A contract is out
to kill a man, but the wrong man has been murdered, leaving former
Austin police sergeant Chase Alexander as the primary target. While
desperately attempting to save his own life, Chase takes matters into
his own hands. He begins his mission by searching for his missing father,
then goes back into the past, and digs up years of family secrets.
Throughout his journey into the unknown to answer the mysterious questions leading to the murders, Chase finds more-and-more lies. Time
was running out, and answers needed to be found to crucial questions
in order to solve the case. Why did the criminals want to kill Chase?
Who was the contract really for? Where was Chase's father? What lies,
and secrets did Chase find? Who were the two hitmen, and who hired them?
Why were other people murdered, and where did the names of the deceased
lead to? I recommend "Threads Of Deception" to all mystery lovers.
The characters in this riveting thriller electrify the pages that are
covered in conspiracy, and betrayal. James Fletcher chose a title
that fits this head-snapping novel like the perfect glove to fit his
hand. This book is filled with non-stop twists as good as a reader
would find in the series "Murder She Wrote." The clever author introduces
nail-biting suspense page-after-page, then leaves the ending with a
great surprise. "Threads Of Deception" is clearly a steady engrossing
thriller that leaves you on the edge of your seat. The reader could feel
the same esculating tension as if viewing one of Alfred Hitchcock's finest. Before the final closing of the curtains, drama soaks the pages
in this gripping thriller that gives the reader the same creepy chills
as if viewing "Death Wish."


Geraldine Ahearn, A.I.O.M.
Author of 6 books
Founding Member ABI Women's Review Board

This book captivated me from the begining to the end. I can't wait till his next book comes out. I'll be waiting in line.

Title: Threads of Deception
Author: James Fletcher
Genre: Crime fiction
Length: 252 pages

"Threads of Deception" written by James Fletcher is a must read. The webs of deception wove through this novel draws the reader into each of the characters' individual act of betrayal. I know this is the first of many successful books that will be written by Mr. Fletcher and I for one look forward to reading the next.

I rate this book ***** stars.

Reviewed by: Darcy J. Busch
Date: May 4, 2008

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)

This book is a bit expensive. However, if you have an above interest in trees, this is a must have book. It's the one book I continue to return to for details, guidance, and reference. It's well written and also feels good in the hands for just casual reading.

This is the essential guide on trees found in Pennsylvania, and the information herein will be of immense use for both the scientifically inclined and the rambling outdoor lover. Included are both native trees and species that have been imported, with natural histories on how particular species arrived in our Commonwealth. All the basic botanical information is here, along with helpful illustrations of leaves, bark, flowers, and other features, which will be a boon to anyone observant enough to use the book as a field guide. An especially interesting aspect of the book is information on uses of most of the tree species by Native Americans for food and medicine, indicating a staggering wealth of homeopathic knowledge that should be rediscovered by modern society. Also useful is an extensive table at the end of the book that will help you identify trees based on a variety of observable characteristics. There are a lot of tree guides available, but this one will please its intended audience with its in-depth focus on Pennsylvania's natural history and ecology. Furthermore, the vast amount of information herein will easily trump most similar guides. [~doomsdayer520~]

The Trees of Pennsylvania is the best reference text for the tree flora of the state. It is written by two outstanding botanists who have visited all of Pennsylvania and are very familiar with the species and the forests of the region. This is a reference text and not a field guide. However, it is a book that you must have if you intend to learn the trees of PA. The text is well written, it is detailed as to the descriptions and identification of species, pages contains range maps that were derived from herbarium specimens not taken from other references, and there are an assortment of outstanding photographs and line drawings. If you're interested in Pennsylvania natural history and trees, this is a MUST HAVE.

Paul g Wiegman

Although attractive enough, this is not just a pretty book for the coffee table, but a good resource addition to a working library. This book really came in handy for me by identifying several unsigned pieces. I was able to find the exact pieces in the book and read about their history. The book has photographs of various patterns and colors, brief information on each pattern, and a list of all pieces made in that pattern and estimated prices. I use the book for research and recommend it for you.

I had purchased a number of Westmoreland items and didn't really know what they were worth, this book, unlike a lot of others, has just about everything in it and I was able to find all 3 of the items that I had purchased. I was pleased to find that my garage sale buys were worth 50 and 60 times over the $1 I had paid for them!

I am a collector of milk glass and am a big fan of Westmoreland Glass. The majority of the Westmoreland I find was made during the period this book covers. The information contained in the book is very good, the pictures are beautiful and, of course, the price guide is extremely helpful.

I really enjoyed this book. It was written by one of the top historians on the subject and it gives an overview of the witch trials in Europe and why they occurred. It is easy to read and informational.

THE PERIOD OF THE WITCH TRIALS is the 4th and last volume to be published in the six-volume series edited by Bengt Ankarloo and Stuart Clark `Witchcraft and Magic in Europe'. In some respects, I found this volume a small disappointment as it's thinner and less interesting than earlier volumes about `Biblical and Pagan' societies and `Ancient Greece and Rome' which relied heavily on archeological work. Still, the book contains first class scholarship and tells an important part of the total story. The volume includes several essays.

Part 1. "Witch Trials in Continental Europe" investigates the secular record of the "trials" legal and otherwise that took place in Germany, France and the Mediterranean. William Monter suggests that since the 16th Century, many scholars have attempted to understand and explain the "witch burnings" which racked Europe in early modern times. He suggests while it is incredibly difficult to decipher the "mind of a different age" it is impossible not to link the burnings in the 16th Century with major developments of the age including the Reformation, counter-Reformation, and various political changes.

Monter suggests a major criticism of Luther and Calvin regarding the church of Rome was that it tolerated "pagan" behavior. Early Christian theologians like Augustine linked the devil with witchcraft (from whom witches were thought to draw their power), but from the perspective of the reformers the church had not done an adequate job of acting on this information. The Catholic Church held that not believing in the devil was heresy and the church tried people for heresy--not witchcraft per se.

Monter compares the relative moderation of the tribunals of the Mediterranean Inquisitions with the secular jurisprudence of central, southern and western Europe. He says that during this period "diabolical witchcraft" became a criminal offense meaning an activity involving secular government. People were tried for witchcraft by secular governments but seldom executed. Monter suggests most of the witch burning took place in villages where neither the secular government or the church had absolute control, and these villages (both Protestant and Catholic) tended to be East of the Rhine.

Part 2. "Witch Trials in Northern Europe" covers the Netherlands, Scandinavia, UK, and Iceland. Expanding on Monter's essay, Ankarloo describes the judicial revolution that took place in the northern and western Europe. He suggests that during this period jurisprudence moved from an "accusatorial" to an "inquisitorial" position. The Humanist movement "enlightened" the judges who would not punish someone unless it could be shown that the accused had harmed another. Ankarloo also suggests that the notion that people burned for witchcraft were old crones is mistaken. At the early part of the witch burnings more men than women were executed and many of the victims of were children. In fact, the victims at Salem in the New World represent a good cross-section of who was executed for witchcraft in the latter part of the period.

Part 3. "Witchcraft and Magic in Early Modern Culture" is most interesting from my perspective. Stuart Clark explores the concept of magic in the early modern period and divides it into three categories. He says evidence exists that "popular" magic was practiced by many people from all walks of life and involved healing and love potions and charms and curses. Another type of magic was "demonology" which the church connected to the power of the devil. The third category was "intellectual magic" which interested Francis Bacon and others associated with Renaissance thinking.

Clark includes a discussion about conflicting views concerning the connection between intellectual magic and the scientific revolution. He then goes onto discuss the politics of witchcraft, including the connection between magic and the exercise of power. Queen Elizabeth and other rulers of the age understood how magic could be used to support the concept of divine right, a notion salient in Europe until recently. The last essay alone is worth the price of the book.

Collaboratively compiled and edited by Bengt Ankarloo and Stuart Clark, Witchcraft And Magic In Europe: The Period Of The Witch Trials is a scholarly examination and analysis of supernatural beliefs in Europe with an especial focus on the prosecutions for the crime of witchcraft, which were most frequent during the fifteenth through seventeenth centuries. Examining witch hunts, methods of torture, historical incidents, and how beliefs in witchcraft, magic, and demonology affected European culture, Witchcraft And Magic In Europe is an informed and informative amalgamation of history and interpretation. Also very highly recommended are the University of Pennsylvania Press companion titles: Witchcraft And Magic In Europe: Biblical And Pagan Societies; Witchcraft And Magic In Europe: Ancient Greece And Rome; Witchcraft And Magic In Europe: The Middle Ages; Witchcraft And Magic In Europe: The Eighteenth And Nineteenth Centuries; and Witchcraft And Magic In Europe: The Twentieth Century.

This book is a must read for any one who is both a Yuengling drinker and who wants to learn the history of brewing beer in NE PA.

The Yuengling is both the oldest merican Brewery--est in 1829 and also it has been run by the Yuengling family since that time.

For anyone planning to visit Pottsville,PA the home of Yuengling,reading this book wil give abroader insight into both the brewery and the overall area.

Overall author Mark Noon has done an excellant "job" in his research of the history of both NE Pa and the Yuengling Brewery.

Unlike the other reviewer, I have read it and I like it better than the beer. It's obvious the author spent many a long night at the local Pottsville pubs interviewing the Yuengling employees and faithful, probably while sucking down a great many black and tan's in the process. Loved the book. So as I sit here sipping a Lord Chesterfield, here's to you Mr. Noon and to you Dick Yuengling; keep up the good work!

This is by far the best beer brewed in America. Yes, I know.. 'Yuengling, what kind of name is that.. it sounds Japanese' All I can tell you is this, growing up in PA, and actually graduating from the author's place of employment (GO HUSKIES), we grew up on this beer. (after we hit 21 of course)

The Lager is incredible, although I recommend you get it as cold as possible as it tastes even better as it approaches freezing temperatures..

In the fall, swing to their Black and Tan, a slightly more filling beer, but amazing taste. You don't need it quite as cold as the Lager.. The best part is this stuff comes in 16 oz cans...

Next for winter, break open a case of porter. This stuff is so good you can drink it right out of the case without it ever hitting the fridge.. especially if you live in PA and store it in your garage during the winter months.. After 2 or 3 of the porters, give your keys to your designated driver, and switch back to the Lager, as the Porter is quite filling..

For a special treat, may I also recommend the Chesterfield Ale.

When I lived in New Orleans and would travel back to PA, my neighbors would ask me to bring cases of this stuff down for them. The Black and Tan is better than Abita Turbo Dog..

The best part is you can get a case of this stuff for under $20. Try getting a case of Guiness for anything near that.

So have I read the book? NO, but I have cracked open quite a few Yuenglings in my time.. Maybe it's time to enjoy a few while reading up on the last 175 years.. Although I would have to sacrifice 2 cases of Yuengling to buy the book. HMMMMMMMMMM

This book is great, because it really puts you in a perspective of what the men of the 149th went through. I am a reenactor in the 150th Bucktails and I do alot of research and reading for my unit, and this book was very helpful

This book is great, because it really puts you in a perspective of what the men of the 149th went through. I am a reenactor in the 150th Bucktails and I do alot of research and reading for my unit, and this book was very helpful

Terrific find---found wonderful restaurants I've never heard of and now have become favorites.

This makes a great no-brainer gift.

This is the most intelligent, comprehensive and useful guidebook to Philadelphia dining that I have ever seen. It is honest and on the money, and it has certainly saved me from dining disasters, and introduced me to some of the best dining in the city. Most importantly, it is laid out in a fashion that makes it super-easy to use.

I highly recommend this book for Philadelphians who love to eat out but don't have the budget to match their good taste. Similar to Zagats, but less with less pretension, it is full of great synopses of restaurants throughout the city arranged by cuisine and neighborhood. My only minor complaint is the lack of entries for restaurants in the suburbs. But who cares about restaurants in the suburbs when there are so many great ones in town?

This book is the best resource I've found for dining in Philadelphia... It tells you where to go, what to expect, and what it will cost, all written honestly, without advertisements. I highly recommend it, particularly for those who are new to, or visiting, Philadelphia