Foreword by Brent D. Glass, Executive Director, PHMC Preface; Introduction: Why Should We Care about; Pennsylvania History? Part I: The History; 1. The First Pennsylvanians by Daniel K. Richter (University of Pennsylvania); 2. Encounter and Experiment: The Colonial Period by Susan Klepp (Temple University); 3. The Promise of Revolution: 1750-1800 by William Pencak; 4. Building Democratic Communities: 1800-1850 by Emma Lapsansky (Haverford College); 5. Civil Wars: 1850-1900 by Walter Licht (University of Pennsylvania); 6. Reforming the Commonwealth: 1900-1950 by David R. Contosta (Chestnut Hill College); 7. The Post-Industrial Age: 1950-2000 by Philip Jenkins (Penn State University); Epilogue: The Making and Unmaking of the Pennsylvanian Empire by Michael Zuckerman (University of Pennsylvania); Part II: Ways to Pennsylvania's Past; 8. Geography by Wilbur Zelinsky; (Penn State University); 9. Architecture by Richard J. Webster; (West Chester University); 10. Archaeology by Verna L. Cowin; (Carnegie Museum of Natural History); 11. Folklore and Folklife by Simon J. Bronner; (Penn State University, Harrisburg); 12. Genealogy by James M. Beidler; (Genealogical Society of Pennsylvania); 13. Photography by Linda Ries; (The Pennsylvania State Archives); 14. Art by Randall M. Miller and William Pencak; 15. Oral History by Linda Shopes (PHMC); 16. Literature by David Demarest; (Carnegie Mellon University); Appendix; Select Bibliography; List of Contributors; Index
Randall M. Miller is William Dirk Warren '50 Sesquicentennial Chair and Professor of History at Saint Joseph's University and President of the Pennsylvania Historical Association. William Pencak is Professor of History at the Pennsylvania State University and Editor of Pennsylvania History, the journal of the Pennsylvania Historical Association.
“From Quaker rule to the devastating decline of the steel industry,
Pennsylvania: A History of the Commonwealth chronicles political,
cultural, and economic developments that have shaped the Keystone
State. Edited by Saint Joseph’s University history professor
Randall M. Miller and William Pencak, a historian at Pennsylvania
State University, this lucid and comprehensive history includes
contributions from archivists, historians and other academics on
such subjects as the state’s role in the Underground Railroad and
the folklore of the Pennsylvania Dutch. The first part of the
handsomely illustrated volume is a straightforward chronological
history, while the second is divided into thematic chapters on such
subjects as the geography, archaeology and literature of the
state.”—Publishers Weekly
“This book is not like any other history of Pennsylvania you have
ever seen. This is an engagingly-written, profusely-illustrated
presentation of the latest academic thinking about the history of
the Keystone State, as viewed within the expanded perspective of
the nation’s history.”—Jack Brubaker Lancaster New Era
“A new history that inspires readers to uncover their own stories.
With suggested readings and a bibliography, this thoroughly
enjoyable work will appeal to both lay readers and specialists.
Highly recommended for area academic, public and high school
libraries.”—Charles L. Lumpkins Library Journal
“No need to wonder when you’ll have time to plow through the book.
. . . Each chapter makes for a satisfying read in itself.”—Sunday
News
“Nearly a decade in the making, this weighty tome is one for which
historians—avocational and professional—have been waiting! Essays
by contributors representing various disciplines and fields make
Pennsylvania: A History of the Commonwealth well worth the
wait.”—Pennsylvania Heritage
“Pennsylvania: A History of the Commonwealth is literate and
informative, but it is not a dry encyclopedia. It is readable,
reader-friendly and worth reading, whether from start to finish (a
great snowy day adventure) or by randomly selecting chapters. In
other words, it’s meant to educate, enlighten and entertain today’s
people (to whom it’s dedicated) because it’s about yesterday’s
people from whence we came.”—Mary O. Bradley Harrisburg Patriot
News
“Pennsylvania offers a rich array of people and events to consider.
It is quite simply a magnificent book, worthy of the Keystone
State’s past and of vital importance to its future. In its pages,
the quiet, industrious heroes and heroines of Pennsylvania—who did
indeed make William Penn’s colony ‘the seed of a nation’—come alive
once more. . . . Pennsylvania: A History of the Commonwealth
combines a innovative format, perceptive scholarship, and a
compelling literary style.”—Ed Voves Philadelphia Inquirer
“The editors, authors and publishers are to be congratulated for
producing such a challenging and handsome product. This volume
should find a home in schools, colleges, universities and public
libraries. It could be useful to the scholar and layperson alike.
Miller and Pencak have performed a signal service to anyone who
wants a starting place to learn about Pennsylvania.”—Jack Susskind
PCSS Newsletter
“The editors have chosen a way to present ourselves to ourselves
and do it painlessly. If you are worried about being pummeled with
names and dates, rest assured there’s more to Pennsylvania than
that, as the parade of pages proves.”—David Sallinger McKeesport
Daily News
“Edited by Randall M. Miller and William Pencak, Pennsylvania: A
History of the Commonwealth combines an innovative format,
perceptive scholarship, and a compelling literary style.”—Ed Voves
Reading Eagle
“This comprehensive history of Pennsylvania is truly the new social
history. Essential for students and educators, anyone interested in
understanding the community where they live will enjoy this
book.”—Mary Dabney Germantown Crier
“This fresh, interpretive history is highly recommended for its
attention paid to the people of Pennsylvania and the process of
historical inquiry and methodology. The book compels reassessment
of one’s understanding of Pennsylvania history.”—Roger C. Henderson
Pennsylvania Magazine of History and Biography
“Edited by Randall M. Miller and William Pencak, the book is a
user-friendly, in-depth look at the significant people, places,
institutions and events in the state’s history.”—Mary O. Bradley
Harrisburg Patriot News
“Pennsylvania: A History of the Commonwealth provides the first
definitive history of the Keystone state in nearly 30
years.”—Gazette News
“This fresh, interpretive history is highly recommended for its
attention paid to the people of Pennsylvania and the process of
historical inquiry and methodology.”—Pennsylvania Magazine of
History and Biography
“Fresh perspectives for the Keystone State for a modern account of
Pennsylvania’s past.”—Foreword Reviews
From Quaker rule to the devastating decline of the steel industry, Pennsylvania: A History of the Commonwealth chronicles political, cultural and economic developments that have shaped the Keystone State. Edited by Saint Joseph's University history professor Randall M. Miller and William Pencak, a historian at Pennsylvania State University, this lucid and comprehensive history includes contributions from archivists, historians and other academics on such subjects as the state's role in the Underground Railroad and the folklore of the Pennsylvania Dutch. The first part of the handsomely illustrated volume is a straightforward chronological history, while the second is divided into thematic chapters on such subjects as the geography, archeology and literature of the state. Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information.
"From Quaker rule to the devastating decline of the steel
industry, Pennsylvania: A History of the Commonwealth
chronicles political, cultural, and economic developments that have
shaped the Keystone State. Edited by Saint Joseph's University
history professor Randall M. Miller and William Pencak, a historian
at Pennsylvania State University, this lucid and comprehensive
history includes contributions from archivists, historians and
other academics on such subjects as the state's role in the
Underground Railroad and the folklore of the Pennsylvania Dutch.
The first part of the handsomely illustrated volume is a
straightforward chronological history, while the second is divided
into thematic chapters on such subjects as the geography,
archaeology and literature of the state."-Publishers
Weekly
"This book is not like any other history of Pennsylvania you
have ever seen. This is an engagingly-written,
profusely-illustrated presentation of the latest academic thinking
about the history of the Keystone State, as viewed within the
expanded perspective of the nation's history."-Jack Brubaker,
Lancaster New Era
"A new history that inspires readers to uncover their own
stories. With suggested readings and a bibliography, this
thoroughly enjoyable work will appeal to both lay readers and
specialists. Highly recommended for area academic, public and high
school libraries."-Charles L. Lumpkins, Library Journal
"An honest and engaging portrait of Pennsylvania's path to
the present. At some point in the distant past-I think it was the
Antepaterno Era-I sat through a required high school course in
Pennsylvania history.All I remember is that the teacher was a
pimply faced, overweight young man from Shippensburg State Teachers
College, as it was called in those days. Or was it Bloomsburg?His
teaching, however, made no impression on me. The glories of the
commonwealth remained as dull and uninteresting as a map of
Sullivan County.For all I cared, Philadelphia was in western New
Jersey, Pittsburghers thought about Harrisburg only when their
driver's license expired and the rest of the state was just a
colder version of Georgia. And the state bird is not the mascot of
the Eagles, but the ruffed grouse.Enter the Penn State University
Press and its handsome new 600-page history of the Keystone State,
aided by the state's Historical and Museums Commission.Unlike the
usual texts, of which my unremarkable high school volume was a
part, this one endeavors to engage readers so that they can
experience the state's past in their own ways.That's the intent of
Part II, "Ways to Pennsylvania's Past," as explained in the
preface. This section views the state by its various physical and
cultural characteristics, including a chapter on Pennsylvania's
literature by Dave Demarest of Carnegie Mellon University. It
provides raw material for historical sleuths to start their own
investigations.Part I-"The History"-has straightforward chapters
beginning with the earliest residents who even then were denied not
only lottery sales, but the chance to buy wine on Sunday.Concluding
Part I is an essay, 'The Making and Unmaking of the Pennsylvania
Empire,' by Michael Zuckerman of the University of Pennsylvania. He
infuses his commentary with the observation that:'To the end of the
19th century, the Commonwealth gave America the icons that bespoke
its soul, such as the log cabin . . . as it gave the nation the
sinews that were its substance like . . . the vast preponderance of
its coal and iron and steel. At the end of the 20th century,
Pennsylvania led the nation in the production of mushrooms.' The
state's decline to near irrelevance is painful to read and
certainly unusual in a history book published by our major state
university and a state agency. And, while Zuckerman does end on a
muted positive note-he believes that the core of Pennsylvanians
embrace the authenticity of the place-it is a strong dose of sour
medicine.There is much here to feel good about, however, including
abundant examples of art, architecture and photography that form
the centerpiece of the book. And, William Penn knows, we could use
it."-Bob Hoover, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
"No need to wonder when you'll have time to plow through the
book. . . . Each chapter makes for a satisfying read in
itself."-Sunday News
"Nearly a decade in the making, this weighty tome is one for
which historians-avocational and professional-have been waiting!
Essays by contributors representing various disciplines and fields
make Pennsylvania: A History of the Commonwealth well worth the
wait."-Pennsylvania Heritage
"Pennsylvania: A History of the Commonwealth is literate and
informative, but it is not a dry encyclopedia. It is readable,
reader-friendly and worth reading, whether from start to finish (a
great snowy day adventure) or by randomly selecting chapters. In
other words, it's meant to educate, enlighten and entertain today's
people (to whom it's dedicated) because it's about yesterday's
people from whence we came."-Mary O. Bradley, Harrisburg Patriot
News
"Pennsylvania offers a rich array of people and events to
consider. It is quite simply a magnificent book, worthy of the
Keystone State's past and of vital importance to its future. In its
pages, the quiet, industrious heroes and heroines of
Pennsylvania-who did indeed make William Penn's colony 'the seed of
a nation'-come alive once more. . . . Pennsylvania: A History of
the Commonwealth combines a innovative format, perceptive
scholarship, and a compelling literary style."-Ed Voves,
Philadelphia Inquirer
"The editors, authors and publishers are to be congratulated
for producing such a challenging and handsome product. This volume
should find a home in schools, colleges, universities and public
libraries. It could be useful to the scholar and layperson alike.
Miller and Pencak have performed a signal service to anyone who
wants a starting place to learn about Pennsylvania."-Jack Susskind,
PCSS Newsletter
"The editors have chosen a way to present ourselves to
ourselves and do it painlessly. If you are worried about being
pummeled with names and dates, rest assured there's more to
Pennsylvania than that, as the parade of pages proves."-David
Sallinger, McKeesport Daily News
"Edited by Randall M. Miller and William Pencak,
Pennsylvania: A History of the Commonwealth combines an innovative
format, perceptive scholarship, and a compelling literary
style."-Ed Voves, Reading Eagle
"This comprehensive history of Pennsylvania is truly the new
social history. Essential for students and educators, anyone
interested in understanding the community where they live will
enjoy this book."-Mary Dabney, Germantown Crier
"This fresh, interpretive history is highly recommended for
its attention paid to the people of Pennsylvania and the process of
historical inquiry and methodology. The book compels reassessment
of one's understanding of Pennsylvania history."-Roger C.
Henderson, Pennsylvania Magazine of History and
Biography
"Edited by Randall M. Miller and William Pencak, the book is
a user-friendly, in-depth look at the significant people, places,
institutions and events in the state's history."-Mary O. Bradley,
Harrisburg Patriot News
"Pennsylvania: A History of the Commonwealth provides the
first definitive history of the Keystone state in nearly 30
years."-Gazette News
"This fresh, interpretive history is highly recommended for
its attention paid to the people of Pennsylvania and the process of
historical inquiry and methodology."-Pennsylvania Magazine of
History and Biography
"Fresh perspectives for the Keystone State for a modern
account of Pennsylvania's past."-Foreword Reviews
"With suggested readings and a bibliography, this thoroughly enjoyable work will appeal to both lay readers and specialists. Highly recommended for area academic, public, and high school libraries."-Charles L. Lumpkins, Pennsylvania State University
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