Pennsylvania Books

Glassie's book continues to be the single best overall discussion of design in American vernacular architecture and traditional crafts, even after more than thirty years.

This book provides descriptive information on houses, folk art, objects of mirth and merriment, and other forms of material culture from America's Eastern states. The book provides excellent resources for demonstrating how material folk cultural expressions can be studied for clues to regional identity. Glassie then demonstrates that understanding how folk culture is distributed over geographic regions provides clues for studying American history. It is an early study that links folklore to cultural geography and social history, and it provides a great starting point for understanding the scholarship in these areas within subsequent years.

I have developed into a strong Henry Glassie fan, having read nearly everything he has ever written. This one book, however, is the catalyst that started my love affair with Material Culture. While I can't reasonably say it changed my life, it did open my eyes to many things in life that would have gone unnoticed by me and I do feel my life is richer for it.

This book contains many pictures. Pictures of the old South Penn Railroad. Then pictures of the construction. And pictures of the turnpike. The bridges, tunnels, and service plazas and different places on the turnpike. These all had character to then, and due to age and modernization, these thing have disappeared or are disappearing really fast, making the turnpike look like any other road. It is sad to see these thing go, but I do realize the turnpike needs to modernize and replace stuff that is worn out, but this book is truely a book to help show future generation what the turnpike did look like when it was built. This will help us show what it really look like then just say it was the first superhighway in America and explain what it look like and have then draw the wrong pictures in there minds.

Many people know that the PA Turnpike was the United States's first superhighway. For that reason, it carries much historical importance. I have studied the Pa Turnpike, at one time known as "The Worlds Greatest Highway", for many years. I can say without a doubt that this book by Dakelman and Schorr is the best publication to date on the subject. Most of the photos have never been published before. What is nice is that you can take that book and go to those areas today and see what it looked like under construction.

I highly recommend this book for anyone who has ever passed through the blue tollbooths of the Pa. Turnpike, thru the tunnels and over the rolling hills of Pennsylvania.

The Pennsylvania Turnpike is recognized for being the first modern highways of the 20th century. The initial 160 mile Carlisle to Irwin, Pennsylvania segment laid the groundwork for the present interstate highway system that we have taken for granted. Authors Mitchell Dakelman and Neal Schorr have researched the history of the Turnpike for years. The results of their research and approximately 200 of the thousands of photographs they have collected or taken themselves are included in this work. The book includes the Turnpike's foundations, including the primitive roadways and ill fated South Penn project, from which the Turnpike used as its route, up to the present day expansion and reconstruction projects that will bring this vital highway into the 21st century. All aspects of the construction are documented including right-of-way construction, paving, tunnels and the various bridges used to eliminate grade crossing to make this highway a true express highway. A must for transportation and auto fans, plus fans of the World's Greatest Highway!

This set of books was purchased as a gift for Mom, who is 93, sharp as a tack, and has devoted a good deal of her life to genealogy; she has published a few books and she shows up on Amazon and in research sections of a few libraries... She loved this set and has not stopped referring to them since receiving them as a gift. She said they were excellent and I trust her judgement.

There are many versions of this set of books floating around on the Internet and otherwise. What is not obvious is that THIS set offers a lot MORE. It contains copies of the original lists, transcriptions of those lists, and an index. I have never seen another version of this set anywhere that includes all THREE.

I have been researching family history for 10 years and offering free lookup services to others for three. This set is truly a gem in my collection. If you have the extra money to spend, BUY THIS SET! You won't regret it!

Kelly
kindredroots.com

I must say that Amazon didn't say that the book I purchased was a set. I chose the book that had 2400 plus pages, and it did in fact turn out to be the 3 volume set. It is a must have set of books for the geneology buff.
I have found numerous ancestors in these books. I would highly recommend them.
The excitement of finding my ancestors signature from 250 years ago was the best part!!!

James Rosin gives us a comprehensive look at the Philly music scene during the 60's and 70's, Cameo-Parkway era, including pics, bios and commentary on so many memorable performers. A fun read, as always, and a must-have for music lovers or anyone who was lucky enough to "be there." Thanks for the memories!

An interesting and fun book about the 60s and 70s music history in Philadelphia. Lots of neat photos of the performers then and now with some interesting commentary and discographies from Cameo-Parkway and the Gamble and Huff era. There's also a good bio section of local and nationally known performers from the Philly area.

THIS BOOK COVERS IT ALL,IF YOU WANT TO KNOW ABOUT ALL THE GREAT SINGERS AND RADIO PERSONALITIES THAT CAME OUT OF PHILADELPHIA.
LOOK FOR THIS BOOK TO BECOME A BEST SELLER

This was definitely the most complete and insightful report on Philadelphia Phillies history that I have ever read. A complete look at each season, the players, as wells as the management and administration of this fine organization. Wonderful pictures and a complete record section made this book one of the finest of its type.

A one stop book on Phillies history. Stats, stories, photos. Its all in there. It is truly an awesome book for any Phillies fan, any baseball fan for that matter. A great piece of work.

The third edition of The Phillies Encyclopedia was released prior to the 2004 season. The original version was released in 1983, and a second edition was printed in 1993. Anything you've ever wanted to know about the Phillies is all here from their inaugural year of 1883 through the end of the Veterans Stadium era in 2003. A summary of every season is included, bios of over 200 players, every manager, owner, and club president. Rare facts, stories, you name it, it's here.

If you are a diehard Phillies fan, this is for you. If you are a casual Phillies fan, and would like to learn more of the team's history, this is a great place to start. If you are a fan of baseball history in general, I highly recommend The Phillies Encyclopedia.

I can't wait until the next edition comes out!

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.

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.