Pennsylvania Books

This was a great book. Besides all else mentioned already,it reads like a story. No theoretical arabesques, just nitty gritty factual details so you can see connectednesses for yourself. Baltzell's very factual illustrations of idealisms' realities and human tensions towards cultishness versus civic participation serve as a useful lense and compass to me ever since reading this book. I recommend it whenever I can, particularly to someone who, like me, may at one time, be shocked by a human experience or contrast and want to ask why. I'd recommend it to any one ever involved in a cult. Its readability is comforting and enthralling, and it is deeply seated in a sense of the continuity of history and human nature. I found it a healing book. I'm sorry Mr. Baltzell is no longer alive so I can thank him. Read every crumb of this book. Its thick, but allot the time.

Digby Baltzell uses the history of Philadelphia and Boston as very real examples of two types of leadership. In Boston, the "Boston Brahmin" elites formed a strong upper class that was not tolerant, certainly, but took responsibility for community life and exercised a tremendous influence on American culture, politics, arts, and science. In Philadelphia, the "Proper Philadelphians" were charming, tolerant--and deeply irresponsible, abandoning any role in governing the city and making it by common agreement the worst run city in the United States. When Philadelphia needed a mover and shaker, it imported some one from outside, like Ben Franklin.

Baltzell takes these difference back to the colonial period and the dramatic differences in the viewpoints of the Puritans who founded Boston and the Quakers who founded Philadelphia. He also sees these changes working forward as the old upper-class socialize immigrant elites into their respective patterns, producing the Kennedy clan out of Boston, and Grace Kelly out of Philadelphia. Many of the points here can also be seen in David Hackett Fischer's Albion's Seed.

Baltzell's bedrock conviction is that every society needs an upper class and is going to get one whether it likes it or not (the history of revolutions proves this rather conclusively). Those who see the very fact of social stratification as an personal affront will of course get affronted. The interesting point he makes though is that many things anti-elitists think are opposites actually go together. As he shows from his examples, social tolerance goes together with a much more blatantly money-conscious and just plain richer upper-class, and societies with widespread hostility to "elites" also show deep cynicism about their leadership and society in general, a cynicism merited by the generally short-sighted and narrowly (as opposed to broadly) selfish behavior of the upper class.

Does this sound familiar? Baltzell's final point is that in the wake of the sixties, which he compares to the English civil war (1640-1660) environment that spawned the Quakers and released "a host of self-righteous seekers" on the land," American leadership has moved much closer to the nakedly plutocratic and irresponsible leadership model found in Philadelphia. And along with this change in the upper class has grown egalitarianism, openness to immigrants, cynicism, leadership gridlock, and social tolerance. The irony of communal utopianism producing results exactly opposite of what was intended would not have surprised de Tocqueville, Baltzell's great mentor in sociology.

Don't think that this book is just about grand theory--it is filled with a host of fascinating portratits of the two cities' upper classes, and so contains a good deal of the achievers of America from colonial days to World War II. The simple quantitative analysis is effective and not off-putting.

This is the best non fiction book ever written. This describes the practice of traditional Amish- no school, no cars, no computers, no blowdryers, no electricity no TVs. Canned food, what do you think that is? The Amish are not a joke- they have multi million dollar farms. A branch of them sold out and started marketing it at African Americans. It was founded in the 1800s by Jacob Amman. The use of narcotics is pretty much encouraged. It says that when you want something you want it right here right now. I was wondering why my grandpa and other people in town rode a scooter well they're. The dune buggy was supposed to represent the intellectually childlike. College is taboo and they quit school after 8th grade, seldom attending public school. They are on social security, don't join the military and have no technology. The car is going to date them really bad it was invented in the 1920s and the phone invented in 1873. THis is a philosophy and religion I could relate to 100 percent. Most farmers are Amish. I loved it.

Our private guide n the Amish country recommended this book - and I read it after returning home to New York. Prof. Kraybill really tied all the threads for me - how the Amish choose to live the way they do, what are the pleasures and limitations of their society, how it maintains and governs itself. A short book written in an sophisticated but absolutely lucid, clear, and interesting language. Thank you!

This book contains more photographs of antique quilts than any other book pertaining to the various quilt documentation projects, with just the right amount of text. WELL DONE in every way!

This is a beautiful book with wonderful pictures and text. It is "one of the best" new books on the market. The pictures show lovely old quilts--some are old patterns that a person will recognize and some a fascinating combination that will be new to most quilters. Definitely a book worth owning!

Great book about true faith, not just going to church, going through the motions but real, lived faith that changes who a person is and the people around them....awesome book, quick read but powerful.

The true-life story of the "Dairyman's Daughter" (who lived during the early 1800's) will forever impact your life! The daughter was once a woman of the world, but the Lord opened her eyes to her sinful nature and purified her heart. She was a shining example of Christ to all those who were around her. I would recommend this book to anyone who desires a deeper love in Jesus Christ!

Compiled and edited by museum administrator Marcia Mason, Remember The Distance That Divides Us: The Family Letters Of Philadelphia Quaker Abolitionist And Michigan Pioneer Elizabeth Margaret Chandler 1830-1842 is the true story of a middle-class woman who left behind privelege in her early 20's to head into the wilderness of Michigan Territory with her brother and aunt. She became an enthusiastic abolitionist and activist for four years, until her unfortunate death four years later. Her literate and inspirational correspondence, most of which was written to family members during her years in Michigan, has been straightforwardly transcribed and presented, along with a smattering of letters from other family members concerning her life. Her tireless contribution to the abolitionist cause as well as her remarkable contributions has caused her to be viewed as a precursor to the more well-known Grimke sisters. A first-hand glimpse into a fascinating pioneer life.

Numerous letters to and from Elizabeth Margaret Chandler not only provide incomparable knowledge about the early days of the abolitionist movement, but also American Midwestern society of the time. One of the appendices is a list of the household effects relating to Chandler. But the book is of interest mostly for the sympathies and activities of the young Elizabeth Chandler regarding the issue of abolition. She died in 1834 before she was 30. The letters are written in the now-archaic language used by the Quakers of the time--e. g., "I thank thee my dear Elizabeth for thy large sheet or sheets so well filled for I believe there are several of thy letters yet unanswered by me...," from a lengthy letter by Chandler's aunt to her. The length of many of the letters, which go on for three or more pages, imparts to an exceptional degree the thoughts and activities of the individuals as well as their relationships with others. In her short life spent mostly in Michigan, Chandler contributed much to raising the consciousness of the region about the issue of abolition. The founder of the Logan Female Antislavery Society, she is also seen as an early activist in the fledgling women's movement. When she died, some individuals were moved to write poems about her. These are included in another appendix. The voluminous and varied materials brought together with editor Mason's deft sense of organization and worthiness is not only an invaluable source book on the little-known but influential Chadler; but it is a rich picture of individuals and their involvement in a major social issue of the time as well as their ordinary, daily activities and concerns. From the length and depth of the letters of Chandler and others she communicated with, the reader becomes involved with them as if they were subjects of a biography or characters in a historical novel.

This book examines the practice of social science from several angles, like turning a sea shell slowly in your hand, looking at the curves and openings and aspects. The author accomplishes this by looking at social science through the eyes of empirical, phenomenological, critical, and analytical social scientists.

Sound boring? It isn't -- and you can learn from each perspective. You can also learn why there is no one right approach. Some questions fit better into one framework, some into another. Any social scientist who weds him/herself to a given approach is wearing blinders. This book removes those limitations. Ideologies become tools for social examination. This book should be the starting point for any social science student.

Not very many people seem to read this book, which is a shame. In my opinion, this is a book that every serious academic social scientist should read. Bernstein takes on the difficult but extremely important--as well as largely neglected--question of how the social sciences differ from the natural sciences. The book is divided into four parts, which deal roughly deal with naturalist theories, linguistic theories, phenomenology, and critical theory in that order. He has an extraordinary gift for making clear even the most subtle ideas and manages to deftly summarize material that otherwise would be extremely difficult. In the process, he gets to the heart of complex ideas and neatly illuminates the essential problem each has.

The River Ran Red tells the story of the Homestead Strike of 1892 using firsthand sources (for example exerpts from Carnegie's speeches, local and national papers and even memos from H.C. Frick). This book comes alive more than any other book on the strike because it is told by firsthand sources, not a stuffy historian's view.

This is a concise and well-illustrated account of the deadly strike at the Carnegie Steel works at Homestead, Pennsylvania, in July 1892. When workers' wages were cut despite huge financial gains raked in by the industry because of high tariffs, the Amalgamated Association of Iron & Steel Workers called a strike at the Carnegie mill for July 1. Management decided to treat the strike almost as an outright war on their business, and when Pinkertons were called in to quell the strikers, violence broke out on July 6 in which a number of men were killed. Industrialist Henry Frick was nearly assassinated, and soon troops were brought in to restore order.

This book tells the story through contemporary newspaper reports and magazine articles, congressional testimony taken after the event, excerpts from memoirs and other books - all accompanied by many illustrations and photographs. Short essays by modern historians dealing with the technology of steel making, political issues, foreign groups working in the mills, and changes in the laws, among other topics, put the events in perspective. These were dark days on the labor front, and this book captures the mood and immediacy of the strike magnificently. Highly recommended.

Finally a book that takes you to the unknown, I've had fun riding places I'd never think of going. the Greene County rides were incredible ,the author's comments were right on.

Ive waited a long time for a good biking book for Pennsylvania, and it's finally here. Road Biking Western Pennsylvania offers over 50 rides throughout Western PA, from Erie down to Greene County and as far east as State College. The author does a good excellent job of including rides in every region of Western PA, not just bunched up around the larger cities. The rides are all rated as Rambles, Cruises, Challenges and Classics, which is standard procedure for all Falcon Guide bicycle tour books.

What separates this book from others is that many rides offer length options. It's disheartening to locate a ride in a guidebook for an area you will be visiting, only to find that the only offering is a 62-mile ride with two ridge crossings (much too difficult for me). In quite a few popular biking regions of Western PA, the author developed several tours, thus offering rides for cyclists of many ability levels. Finally, someone's got it right. Even in the hillier southern counties, the guidebook details several rambles that are suitable for even beginner cyclists.

Much of the book is standard Falcon - offering restaurant and accommodation list, ride directions, map, elevation chart, and restroom locations. I must say, however, that Jim Homerosky keeps me interested with his detailed and often zany take on the ride. I found myself reading every ride chapter, regardless of my intent of cycling them. Road Biking Western Pennsylvania is a five-star effort. Regardless of your level of ability and fitness, you'll find something here to suit you. Now, if only it would stop raining...........

This book is everything I want in an art book! A lot of large color reproductions, mainly. Also bioigraphical info and pictures of the artist and his milieu. And a reasonable price!

"Romare Bearden: The Caribbean Dimension", co-authored by Sally Price and her husband Richard (both of whom are professor of American Studies, Anthropology, and History at the College of William and Mary in Virginia) showcases the life and work of the African American artist Romare Bearden (1911-1988) and his Caribbean work during his last twenty years with its themes of 'enchanted places and lush forest settings for sensuous female nudes. Also included is his 'Carnival' series revealing through an artist's eye the quintessential nature of this annual Caribbean celebration. Best known for his paintings and collages of jazz and the rural South, Bearden's work was postumously recognized with an exhibition at the national Gallery of Art in 2003. Enhanced with the inclusion of 130 paintings, as well as a profusion of photographs of Bearden and his friends, "Romare Bearden" also incorporates poet Derek Walcott and writer Albuert Murray's critical assessments of Bearden's enduring legacy, along with the thoughts of such luminaries as James Baldwin, Alvin Alley, and Ralph Ellison. Simply stated, no serious academic library American Art History collection can be considered complete or comprehensive without the inclusion of "Romare Bearden: The Caribbean Dimension".

This book has captured the stuggles of North Philly's young people....28th and Diamond marks a territory where only the strongest survive. This is the best young adult book of all times. I can't wait for the movie to come out. Good job Rachel and keep the books coming.

I remember the first book I read, a typical Dick and Jane primer. I can clearly recall the pictures of the blonde, blue-eyed, perpetually smiling people. As I looked around at my screaming siblings and frazzled mother, I realized Dick and Jane weren't from around my way. I had a hard time believing they were even from this planet. Roxie, on the other hand, is a much more familiar face. I bet I've past her stoop a hundred times. Her troubles and triumphs would fit in comfortably around here. The youth today see enough drama daily to wipe the smiles off Dick and Jane's faces permanently. With touchstones like this book, they will know they are not alone in their struggles to stay safe and sane.
Rachel Slaughter has created a key to open a million young minds. Young ears that aren't trying to hear anything fake, open up to her sermon because she speaks with their voice. When those hungry heads find this book, you can be sure it will be devoured. And you know, the better fed the head, the better it deals with troubles ahead.
Look for the series...