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"Historic Architecture of Pennsylvania" with Scott Butcher Jun 01, 2020

Show notes

Nestled among the rolling hills of South Central Pennsylvania, six counties – Adams, Cumberland, Dauphin, Lancaster, Lebanon, and York – are home to more than three centuries of history and architecture. Beginning with early eighteenth century buildings, almost every style of American architecture is featured in the region's mid-sized cities, charming towns, and quaint villages. Susquehanna Valley buildings showcase excellent examples of Colonial, Early Republic, Victorian, and twentieth-century architectural movements. Featured are educational narratives of three dozen styles as well as special sections on a variety of building types, including farmers' markets and train stations, all brought to life by more than 180 full-color photos. Join author and photographer Scott D. Butcher on an enlightening tour featuring the best of American architecture as seen through the eyes of the region's architects and builders.

"Pittsburgh in World War I" with Elizabeth Williams May 26, 2020

Show notes

When the whole of Europe went to war in 1914, Pittsburgh watched the storm clouds gather at home. Yet Pittsburgh was a city of immigrants--the large Polish community urged leaders to join the side of the Allies, while German immigrants supported the Central powers. By the time the country entered World War I in 1917, Pittsburghers threw their support into the war effort united as Americans. With over 250 mills and factories, the Steel City and Allegheny County produced half of the steel and much of the munitions used by the Allies. Pittsburgh gave more than steel--sixty thousand men went to war, and women flocked to the front lines as nurses. One of the first gas masks on the western front was developed at the Mellon Institute, while the city's large Red Cross provided tireless support on the home front. Historian Elizabeth Williams traces the remarkable story of Pittsburgh during the Great War.

Description Courtesy of Amazon

"Emotional Gettysburg" with Karl Kuerner and Bruce Mowday May 18, 2020

Show notes

In a series of historic vignettes combined with contemporary paintings renowned artist Karl J. Kuerner and award-winning writer Bruce E. Mowday explore the Civil War battlefield of Gettysburg in a way never before depicted. For Karl, the spirit of art has spurred him to create a series of paintings that are peaceful and tranquil despite the death and destruction that took place here. Also, there are tears for those who sacrificed so much. For Bruce, he calls upon his years of Civil War historical research to recount some of the heroic deeds of the conflict that threatened the very existence of the United States of America. Ten of thousands of soldiers... Tens of thousands of emotional stories each with a life of its own. So many stories will never be told, lost along with those who sacrificed their lives at Gettysburg during three days of July in 1863. What took place in Gettysburg, documented or not, forever will have profound meaning for Americans, a soul and a spirit.

Karl J. Kuerner, the painter, is the grandson of two subjects, Karl and Anna Kuerner, of internationally acclaimed artist Andrew Wyeth. Karl studied under Carolyn Wyeth, Andrew s sister, as a young artist and exhibited his first show in 1977 alongside Carolyn and her own paintings. He was also mentored by her brother, Andrew, and has documented his experiences of working with the Wyeths in an upcoming book, Beyond The Art Spirit. Karl s artwork has been exhibited in Belgium, Nigeria, and Togo through the Arts in Embassies program, as well as at the Brandywine River Museum and Berman Museum at Ursinus College. Karl exhibited his Places to Go, Things to See series at West Chester University where he received an Honorary Doctorate in Public Service. Bone Creek Museum of Agrarian Art, Nebraska, plans to feature Karl s creations in 2020. Karl has published three children s books following the adventures of his cat Ike and All In A Day s Work, an autobiographical look into his life and artwork with the writings of Gene Logsdon. Karl has been featured in many books and publications, recently appearing in PBS s American Masters Series documentary Wyeth.

Bruce E. Mowday is an award-winning author and newspaper reporter. Emotional Gettysburg is his third book on the epic Civil War battle of Gettysburg. His other Gettysburg books are Pickett's Charge: The Untold Story and J. Howard Wert's Gettysburg. A fourth Civil War book written by Bruce is Unlikely Allies: Fort Delaware's Prison Community in the Civil War.

Description courtesy of Regent Press.

"Bandstandland" with Larry Lehmer May 11, 2020

Show notes

American Bandstand, one of the longest-running shows in television history, spotlighted well-scrubbed, properly dressed dancing teenagers on every show. They mirrored the show's perpetually youthful host, Dick Clark, who spun the music Clark often described as the "soundtrack to our lives." These are the memories Clark carefully nurtured as he crafted the alternate teen universe of Bandstandland during the formative years of American Bandstand, from 1952 to 1964. Bandstandland was a mythical creation by Clark, who saw the show as a springboard to immense wealth rather than a tribute to teen culture. Clark was a relentless businessman who once had ownership stakes in 33 corporations, most created by him. He created rules to keep black teens off the show, promoted the teens that danced on the show when it served his purposes and banned them when it didn't and effectively turned American Bandstand into his own personal infomercial. Bandstandland sheds light on the little-known backstory of the TV program that was America's top-rated daytime television show in its heyday and enjoyed a 37-year run from 1952 to 1989.

"By Great Rivers: Lives of the Appalachian Frontier" with Robert Swift May 04, 2020

Show notes

By Great Rivers: Lives on the Appalachian Frontier tells the story of people who shaped events during a period of rapid political and social change in the Appalachian region of the eastern United States in the eighteenth century.
The several dozen individuals (men and women, Native Americans, colonial agents, missionaries, fur traders, Indian captives, surveyors) profiled here reflect a multi-cultural society that developed on that frontier. This book focuses on the Appalachian region--eastern and western Pennsylvania, western New York and Ohio--a vast wilderness expanse linked by the great rivers that served as corridors of travel in the eighteenth century.

"Cum Posey of the Homestead Grays" with James Overmyer Apr 27, 2020

Show notes

Cumberland Posey began his career in 1911 playing outfield for the Homestead Grays, a local black team in his Pennsylvania hometown. He soon became the squad's driving force as they dominated semi-pro ball in the Pittsburgh area. By the late 1930s the Grays were at the top of the Negro Leagues with nine straight pennant wins. Posey was also a League officer; he served 13 years as the first black member of the Homestead school board; and he wrote an outspoken sports column for the African American weekly, the Pittsburgh Courier. He was also regarded as one of the best black basketball players in the East; he was the organizer of a team that held the consensus national black championship five years running. Ten years after his induction into the National Baseball Hall of Fame, he became a member of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame—one of only two athletes to be honored by two pro sports halls of fame.

"George Washington's Nemesis" with Christian McBurney Apr 20, 2020

Show notes

General Charles Lee, second in command in the Continental Army led by George Washington, was captured by the British in December 1776. While a prisoner, he prepared and submitted to his captors a military plan on how to defeat Washington's army as quickly as possible. This extraordinary act of treason, arguably on a par with Benedict Arnold's heinous treachery, was not discovered during his lifetime. Many historians shrug off this ignoble act, but it should not be ignored. Less well known is that throughout his sixteen months of captivity and even after his release, Lee continued communicating with the enemy, offering to help negotiate an end to the rebellion. After Lee rejoined the Continental Army, he was given command of many of its best troops with orders from Washington to attack the rear of British General Henry Clinton's column near Monmouth, New Jersey. Lee intended to attack on June 28, 1778, but retreated in the face of Clinton's bold move to reverse his march. Two of Lee's subordinate generals—without orders and without informing Lee—moved more than half of his command off the field. Faced with the possible destruction of the balance, Lee ordered a general retreat while conducting a skillful delaying action. Many historians have been quick to malign Lee's performance at Monmouth, for which he was convicted by court-martial for not attacking and for retreating in the face of the enemy. This was a miscarriage of justice, stresses McBurney, for the evidence clearly shows that Lee was unfairly convicted and had, in fact, by retreating, performed an important service to the Patriot cause. The guilty verdict was more the result of Lee's having insulted Washington, which made the matter a political contest between the army's two top generals—only one of them could prevail.

Christian McBurney has written five books on the American Revolutionary War, including 'Kidnapping the Enemy: The Special Operations to Capture Generals Charles Lee & Richard Prescott'. His published articles include one in MHQ: The Journal of Military History, on the British attempt to abduct George Washington, which was nominated by the U.S. Army Historical Foundation as best magazine article for 2017. He also publishes Rhode Island's leading history blog (www.smallstatebighistory.com). He is an attorney in Washington, D.C.

Description courtesy of Savas Beatie.

"The New Eagles Encyclopedia" with Ray Didinger Apr 13, 2020

Show notes

While much has changed in the decade since the original publication of The Eagles Encyclopedia, the passion of Eagles fans has only grown stronger. That's why author Ray Didinger revised, updated, and expanded his history of the team with The New Eagles Encyclopedia.
Didinger presents a year-by-year history of the franchise from its inception in 1933 through the 2013 season. There are profiles of more than 100 players, past and present, as well as every head coach and owner along with dozens of new photographs and stats, stats, and more stats.
The New Eagles Encyclopedia includes:
* More player profiles including new entries on Nick Foles, LeSean McCoy and Michael Vick.
* The end of the Andy Reid era and the arrival of Chip Kelly.
* Expanded chapters on Eagles in the Hall of Fame and other milestone moments.
* Summaries of every post-season game.
* A new chapter on the Eagles-Cowboys rivalry.
An essential addition to every fan's bookshelf, The New Eagles Encyclopedia is the definitive information source on the Philadelphia Eagles.

"Pennsylvania Patriots: Their Lives, Contributions, and Burial Sites" with Joe Farrell, Joe Farley and Lawrence Knorr Mar 30, 2020

Show notes

Joe Farrell, Joe Farley, and Lawrence Knorr have traveled across the eastern USA to the graves of over 200 founding fathers (and mothers) responsible for the birth of the United States of America. This special volume about Pennsylvania includes those that lived, worked, and or died in Pennsylvania. Included in this volume are biographies and grave information for 44 of these luminaries who made significant contributions to the Revolutionary cause.

Lawrence Knorr has authored or co-authored over 20 books, mostly on history or biography. He is a member of the Society for American Baseball Research (SABR), the Sons of the American Revolution, and numerous other historical organizations. He enjoys most writing about the formerly famous and his beloved Pennsylvania Dutch culture. He is a lifetime Penn State alum.

Joe Farrell was born in Brooklyn and raised on the mean streets of Queens. He attended and graduated from Catholic schools in New York and went on to College at St. Vincent College where he graduated with a degree in Psychology. He studied Clinical Psychology at Indiana University of Pennsylvania and Public Administration at Shippensburg.

Joe Farley was born and raised in Hazleton, Pennsylvania. He attended Bloomsburg University where he graduated with a degree in education. In 1975 Mr. Farley began a 35-year public service career working for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Upon his retirement in 2010, he began work on the Keystone Tombstone series with his coauthor Joe Farrell. To date, there are thirteen volumes in that series. Farley and Farrell have also authored Gotham Graves Volumes One and Two. Mr. Farley also penned "Song Poems in Search of Music" in 2014 He and his wife Sharon reside in New Cumberland, Pennsylvania. They have three children.

Description courtesy of Sunbury Press.

"She Came To Slay: The Life and Times of Harriet Tubman" with Erica Armstrong Dunbar Mar 23, 2020

Show notes

Harriet Tubman is best known as one of the most famous conductors on the Underground Railroad. As a leading abolitionist, her bravery and selflessness has inspired generations in the continuing struggle for civil rights. Now, National Book Award nominee Erica Armstrong Dunbar presents a fresh take on this American icon blending traditional biography, illustrations, photos, and engaging sidebars that illuminate the life of Tubman as never before. Not only did Tubman help liberate hundreds of slaves, she was the first woman to lead an armed expedition during the Civil War, worked as a spy for the Union Army, was a fierce suffragist, and was an advocate for the aged. She Came to Slay reveals the many complexities and varied accomplishments of one of our nation's true heroes and offers an accessible and modern interpretation of Tubman's life that is both informative and engaging. Filled with rare outtakes of commentary, an expansive timeline of Tubman's life, photos (both new and those in public domain), commissioned illustrations, and sections including "Harriet By the Numbers" (number of times she went back down south, approximately how many people she rescued, the bounty on her head) and "Harriet's Homies" (those who supported her over the years), She Came to Slay is a stunning and powerful mix of pop culture and scholarship and proves that Harriet Tubman is well deserving of her permanent place in our nation's history.

Erica Armstrong Dunbar is the Charles and Mary Beard Professor of History at Rutgers University.

Description courtesy of Simon & Schuster.

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