Delaware Books

You have to be either a naval history nut or forced to have read this for a class (guilty on both counts) to even encounter this book, let alone read it. That said, it does a fine job exploring the motives of those for and against the buildup of a strong naval force in our country's fledgling years. Many of the arguments find later resonance in the debates about America's place in the world at the turn of the 20th Century, in the arguments for and against isolation in the years leading up to WWII, and in present debates over how to confront Islamofascism. I just stumbled upon Prof. Symonds' publication list looking for something else, but this has motivated me to dust off my 1981 copy of "Navalists and Antinavalists" from my Plebe Year US Naval History class and dig in!

This book provides a thorough look into Franklin's role in the Federal Convention of 1787. The general theme is that Franklin's role was far greater than he is given credit for and book explores this possibility thoroughly. As a student this book provided an excellent map for my research. Carr explores the ideas of several other historians pointing out there views on Franklin and formulates his arguments from there. Carr uses several well known authoritative text on the convention, included many primary sources to formulate his arguments. This book has a thorough bibliography as well as several appendices, and notations which provided a wealth of information in concise form. This book is a good starting point for any research on the constitutional convention, and still manages to be a wonderful read that stirs the mind.

This is a book I couldn't put down. Its a first person narrative of a young Jewish artist and his parents running from Belgrade to Southern Italy. They were first living in refuge camps, and finally hiding in the mountains in Northern Italy running from the Nazis.

I wanted to know how they survived in the camps and who allowed them to leave and who hid them once they out in the Italian hill towns. The Italian people who hid them were amazing. Its a story of the human spirit. A man who saved his parents and brought them to America.

I purchased this book upon recommendation by a friend. I am from the general area which this book details. I saw some familiar kid favorites (like the Please Touch Museum in Philly, Dutch Wonderland in Lancaster) as well as other places I never would have thought of to visit with children (Morris Arboretum in Delaware County). Delaware & NJ are also included in the book. The book gives addresses, phone numbers, admission rates, wheelchair and stroller accessibility, rainy day outing suggestion, school group programs, membership benefits/discounts, birthday party facilities, and summer day camp programs. Public transportation options are also discussed.

I was a little disappointed that more info on Lancaster County was not included in the book (i.e. Pick your own farms, Christmas Tree cuttings, etc.). Almost everyone knows that Lancaster County is farm central with a plethora of pick your own farms and corn mazes. My other negative critique is that the book was last updated in 2000. Although most of the places listed in the book probably haven't changed much, if at all, it would be helpful to have another printing with more recent information to include all of the new places that have been built since the last printing.

Overall, this is a good start and still a recommended book for travel in the Southeastern PA/NJ/DE area.

George Holmes, a former investigative reporter with Jim Tayoun's "Public Record" newspaper, did a thorough job of digging up the history of the River Wards - neighborhoods on the edge of the Delaware River including Fishtown, Kensington, Port Richmond, and Bridesburg. Holmes concentrated more on Fishtown and Kensington than the other River Ward neighborhoods.

The SEPTA archives proved to be an invaluable tool in reconstructing the history of the area, with the construction of the Market Frankford Elevated (the "el," for short) being a major milestone.

I never knew, or had even heard, that there was a 12 foot excavation on the corner of Lehigh and Kensington Avenues. Why the city of Philadelphia decided to do that will forever remain a mystery.

A thorough history for the once-industrial stronghold of the "River Wards."

This is the best "field" guide on Philippine Birds I've seen so far. I've quoted "field" because the book is too big to bring with you for birdwatching. The color plates are numerous and can give you an idea of how the birds look like. Though, I would prefer real pictures over colored illustrations. Nevertheless, this book is the best buy for Philippine birdwatchers until a book with real pictures come by.

The only experience better than reading John McConnell is seeing him speak on this subject in person. Mr. McConnell illustrates why reducing variation in products and services is the key to managing quality.

McPherson's research of Elizabethan England's views on contemporary Venice does a fine job of providing that context. Although his specific focus is on the Venetian setting of Volpone, Othello, and (of course) The Merchant of Venice, I also found it helpful as an additional way of putting the recent book and film focused on Veronica Franco in its proper historical context.

A frequent flaw of research into a time period that I've noticed is the overspecialization in either the literary or the historical side of that research. McPherson seems to do a better job than most in balancing the two. I hope others are encouraged to follow his lead in this respect.

I can't say I have never heard of Gary Gentile, but this is the first and only book I have from this particular author. To say I was impressed would be an understatement. I live in the UK and whilst I have no plans whatsoever to visit Delaware or Maryland, it is books like this that can make anyone change their plans and simply turn up with all their diving gear.

The book is laid out just as a book about the shipwrecks of any given area should be laid out. Under each vessel's name we have those technical details which divers are seeking more and more these days. Then we are treated (and some of the stories really are a "treat" to read) to the story of the vessel's final moments. There are 30 wrecks featured which include an "African Queen" as well as a "Poseidon." But it is the book itself which is the greatest adventure because the greatest part is that not all the wrecks have been found. Just as ancient maps of unknown areas carried the words "Here be Dragons" so this book carried the message "Here be virgin wrecks."

If I was living on the coast of Delaware or Maryland I would start my next search and research project by reading this book and then visiting all the appropriate museums, libraries and other institutions for further information before getting stuck into some very serious diving.

If you have any more of these books Mr Gentile - please let me know.

NM

Slavery took place in Delaware while its men fought with the North during the Civil War. While most blacks in Delaware experienced a degree of freedom, there were still a large number of closely guarded and controlled slaves kept by owners in the state. This scholarly, sometimes data-heavy book recalls the rarely-examined and somehow contradictory life of slaves from the time of Dutch colonization to the end of the Civil War, using historical records including family records, financial reports, bills of sale and the words of free, indentured or enslaved blacks from the period. This is an important work that illuminates an issue of war that was far more complicated than the uniform subjugation of a race. It talks the lives of people under sometimes conflicting laws within a neutral state with southern heritage and northern leanings, with die-hard abolitionists and powerful businessmen who required slaves to keep their businesses running and, in turn, the Delaware economy moving. Many of the great national issues that tore the country apart during this period are experienced and dealt with in the microcosm that is the First State. This book is a necessary part of understanding Black History in America and I strongly recommend you read it.