Pennsylvania Books

This 112 page book includes b/w photos, engavings, drawings, charts,and summaries of forts and camps built by the British, French, Colonies of Pennsylvania & Virginia, and private citizens during the French and Indian War. Especially helpful are the fort and site inventories which give the location, description, dates, and notes at a glance. This is an excellent reference work for scholars, but at the same time a key tool for the student of the period and/or archaeology. Family historians researching their ancestors may also find this work helpful. An index and annotated bibliography are also included.

The French and Indian War began in and then raged throughout most of Pennsylvania. This excellent book, published by the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, concentrates on identifying and describing the physical sites located within the state that had a connection to that conflict. Various forts are discussed, some in great detail, especially if they have seen work by archeologists, and important trans-state trails, especially the Forbes Trail, are analyzed and plotted.

The Commission is interested in site preservation (many significant sites have already been lost to strip mining and development), and this publication hopes to foster public interest in that endeavor. It is extremely informative and reports in great detail. Many photos, maps, and charts accompany the text. The tracing of the Forbes Road against modern roads (though I disagree somewhat with their route near Ft. Loudon) is most useful for anyone wanting to drive the old trail (where possible). Virtually every fort mentioned in the historical records is listed here. There is also a superb annotated bibliography. A great book on F&I War sites in PA. Highly recommended.

In this study of a minor incident in 1799 Pennsylvania, Newman employs meticulous detail and penetrating analysis to uncover the misunderstood motives of a band of truly democratic revolutionaries, tragically suppressed for seeking their constitutional rights as they understood them.

The founding fathers are all the rave right now and Paul Douglas Newman--not the actor--gives an impressive account of a forgotten event that cost John Adams dearly. It is a highly readable account and should win a book award or two. Buy it, you will enjoy the time spent with this work.

Dr. Jackson has presented a fresh view of Martin Luther King, Jr. and his place within the civil rights movement. First of all his picture of King as a searching, evolving activist adds flesh to a complex, often enigmatic historical figure. It gives him texture, shows him as continuously evolving his ideology. He is never at rest, always seeking, always questioning himself, always questioning others surrounding him, always growing, right up to the minute of his untimely death. The other really important aspect of FROM CIVIL RIGHTS TO HUMAN RIGHTS is the view of King removed from the strictly American civil rights movement. Dr. Jackson places him firmly within the international human rights movement. This speaks to both his growth as a man and philosopher as well as his growing awareness that American civil rights and human rights worldwide are inextricably linked. This book makes King believable as both human being and icon.

This is the most important and original book on Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr. to be published in years. Jackson offers a persuasive account that challenges the conventional wisdom about King and his goals. King was not just the apostle of nonviolence. He was not just someone who wanted everyone to get along. King was a radical--who saw that personal transformation was not enough. Jackson shows how King saw the black freedom struggle as one of power and economics. This book is beautifully written and deeply researched. It will be impossible to think about King in the same way ever again after reading Jackson's account.

It's the last day of school in Pennsylvaina for Brad. His mom tells him that she is taking a summer vacation. His mom sends Brad across country to Colrado to stay with his grandfather. His grandfather owns a funeral home, Brad stays there and eats frozen dinners, then has fun at a football game. A boy named Pat tells Brad that his grandfather has a bag of scalps. Brad finds them and they end up being a bag of fly tying things. They go to a church and set up for the St.Mary's Festival. Brad eats food he has never heard of before and he learns how to Polka dance. He also plays Chuck-O-Luck, a gambling game, with his grandfather and Mike. Later that night Mike had Brad call his mom then they went to the hospital. When they got there they went to see grandfather. Brads grandfather ends up being in the hospital because he fell at the festival going from the Chuck-O-Luck to the church basement to get something to eat. This was a very exciting book!!!

I found this book to be a charming and well-written story of a lovable and misunderstood young boy. Bartek's descriptive yet undaunting writing style makes her characters warm, realistic, and easily-relatable. I don't think there are many people who could read this book and not remember the awkwardness of early young adulthood; growing into oneself yet with the excitement and hope of a child. I would recommend the story to any young reader or their family at any level of ability.

As a PSU Alum, a faithful reader of Jordan Hyman's columns in the Daily Collegian during my years at Penn State and a fellow writer, this brought me right back to my voice-losing afternoons and evenings at Beaver Stadium supporting my beloved Nittany Lions. Kudos to Jordan Hyman on capturing th eessence and spirit of the greatest college football program in the nation.

The author here does an outstanding job capturing the essence of Nittany Lions football in a series of short stories, told through the eyes of some of State's most famous players/coaches to ever enter Happy Valley.

Kudos to Mr. Hyman, for attaining all the great stories inside the book. This is a must have for any Penn Stater and any college football fan in general, for that matter.

As a frequent visitor to Gettysburg, I am always on the look out for new books. And this is refreshingly unique. I bought one for myself and when my friends saw it, I had to get them a copy also. The photos are great -- some I've seen before, but many are new to me. Nasby must have done a lot of research to gather all of these great photos. Nice job....

A wonderful look back into time at the town and battlefield of Gettysburg. Detailed captions give an enlightened context to the wonderful photographs. A must have for anyone interested in the battle.

This book offers a fascinating look into the world of 1830s-era
Philadelphia and its environs. There is interesting material
here on the history of immigration, the Irish in America, railroad construction, epidemiology, ghosts and folklore. The core of the book is a story about Irish railroad workers in Chester County that was largely unknown until the authors began studying it (they obtained a historical marker for it from the Commonwealth's Historical Commission in 2004). In addition, there are interesting ghost stories that will make for better than average Halloween reading.

This remarkable new book is a must read for Irish-American history. A reconstruction of the fate of an immigrant Irish work crew who died of cholera (and possible violence) while building the Philadelphia and Columbia Railroad in rural Chester County in 1832 is the main focus. The story of the tragic deaths of 57 young Irish immigrants is combined with much fascinating detail concerning Irish and Irish-American history of the time. The much neglected history of the P and C Railroad is handled very well as is the discussion of the pandemic of Asiatic Cholera in North America. There is even a evocatively described ghost story. Readable, yet scholarly, this is an incredible book.

I just wanted to say that I am very happy to have this book come out. I hope that the reader enjoys it. Feel free to visit my profile for my own book lists and events.

This book is one of its kind in the area. Mr. Sarro demonstrates his knowledge and passion for the field of paranormal investigations. The book walks you through some of the best "Ghost Stories" in the Chester County area. Mr. Sarro ties the history of the county and the background stories all together in this book. A must read for any of the locals...I couldn't put the book down for a minute. Great Work !!!

The Book is filled with all the sweetest quotes ~ I love using them in cards and as myspace comments. The pictures are ADORABLE. I really enjoy having this book around!

This lovely book is a photo collection portraying Amish children. The photograhper established a relationship with the Amish community and took the pictures with their cooperation. Proceeds benefit a clinic for children with special needs. It's a great gift for anyone who was touched by the recent killings of Amish children to buy for themselves or friends.

I just bought this book yesterday and finished reading it today. I have to admit, I had a very hard time finding a spot in the book where I could stop and put it down! Every page made me want to read the next. Plus I don't think it could've ended more perfectly (nothing like I expected)! Without giving away too much, the ending definitely left the reader wanting more...FIVE STARS FOR THIS RELEASE!!! Cracked Dreams was good, but Godchild was GREAT!

Sylvester, a.k.a. "Boom", is a hit man who takes pride in his skill and adeptness at killing. However, when his right hand man, Ivan, ends up a casualty of war, Boom is hungry for vengeance, and, most of all, dead set on protecting the wife and daughter Ivan left behind. Boom finds a side of himself he's never seen before and one that, quite frankly, scares him to death.

GODCHILD by Michael Baptiste is a quick read, full of twists, turns, and action. The prose is casual, yet fluid, and the characters come more alive with every passing sentence. I was impressed with the smooth shifting of settings from Philly to New York, and I have to admit that I was thrown for a loop at the end. A dramatic bundle of thrills, GODCHILD was an exciting book, and I am curious to find out what comes next for these characters.

Reviewed by CandaceK
of The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers