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Describes the geography, plants, animals, history, economy, language, religions, culture, sports, art, and people of the state of Pennsylvania. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Great for Early Readers
This has wonderful real life photos and short relatively easy to read pages for the early reader. ... Read more

Product Description
This volume is produced from digital images created through the University of Michigan University Library's preservation reformatting program. The Library seeks to preserve the intellectual content of items in a manner that facilitates and promotes a variety of uses. The digital reformatting process results in an electronic version of the text that can both be accessed online and used to create new print copies. This book and thousands of others can be found in the digital collections of the University of Michigan Library. The University Library also understands and values the utility of print, and makes reprints available through its Scholarly Publishing Office. ... Read more

Product Description
This is an EXACT reproduction of a book published before 1923. This IS NOT an OCR'd book with strange characters, introduced typographical errors, and jumbled words.This book may have occasional imperfections such as missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. that were either part of the original artifact, or were introduced by the scanning process. We believe this work is culturally important, and despite the imperfections, have elected to bring it back into print as part of our continuing commitment to the preservation of printed works worldwide. We appreciate your understanding of the imperfections in the preservation process, and hope you enjoy this valuable book. ... Read more

Product Description
This is an EXACT reproduction of a book published before 1923. This IS NOT an OCR'd book with strange characters, introduced typographical errors, and jumbled words.This book may have occasional imperfections such as missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. that were either part of the original artifact, or were introduced by the scanning process. We believe this work is culturally important, and despite the imperfections, have elected to bring it back into print as part of our continuing commitment to the preservation of printed works worldwide. We appreciate your understanding of the imperfections in the preservation process, and hope you enjoy this valuable book. ... Read more

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Kessinger Publishing is the place to find hundreds of thousands of rare and hard-to-find books with something of interest for everyone! ... Read more

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Publisher: s.n.Publication date: 1906Description: "Reprinted from the Bulletin of the Geographical Society of Philadelphia, January-July, 1906."Subjects: Physical geographyBusiness ... Read more

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Publisher: Syracuse, N.Y., C. W. BardeenPublication date: 1891Notes: This is an OCR reprint. There may be numerous typos or missing text. There are no illustrations or indexes.When you buy the General Books edition of this book you get free trial access to Million-Books.com where you can select from more than a million books for free. You can also preview the book there. ... Read more

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The culture and economy of Pennsylvania have been developing for more than 300 years. As a consequence, human activities have evolved from those based on primary occupations in the eighteenth century to the manufacturing economy of the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries to the tertiary functions of the late twentieth century. With each major change in economic structure the geographic patterns also changed. The Geography of Pennsylvania charts those changes and provides a spatial analysis of each key geographic function taking place in the state. This book will be an indispensable reference for those who want to understand the factors that shaped Pennsylvania into the dynamic society it is today. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

the standard text for this state's geography
This text was published in the 1990s and a lot has changed or progressed since then. I hope that a new edition comes along soon, and, given the advanced age of the editor, it will hopefully feature some major changes. While the chapters by Lewis, Abler, Zelinsky, and other well known Penn State geographers are every bit the exciting synthesis of the many themes of geography that makes our discipline great, others, especially those by Miller, are really old school - a relentless, diversion-less march through federal statistics about the economy, the population, the environment... - just an unimaginative, glorified list that reads like it was written by a nameless gov't employee in a cubicle inside the Beltway. Not that some of these chapters don't contain useful or interesting information and some good maps - there's just far too little "local color" or "thinking outside the box" which is what good geography can really contribute to our understanding of the world. So, let's hope for a major reworking and updating soon! I recommend purchasing with the new history text: Pennsylvania, A History of the Commonwealth to add the necessary spice. ... Read more

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To those who enjoy outdoor adventure, Pennsylvania offers a number of natural attractions: wild rivers, impressive mountains, the silence of deep forests. But Pennsylvania's sublime overlooks, remarkable natural features in themselves, frequently go unnoticed despite their historical and scenic interest. (Few people realize, for instance, that a Pennsylvania overlook Mt. Pisgah in York County almost became our nation's capital.) Visitors to these promontories acquire a fresh appreciation of nature's beauty and a renewed sense of connection to the Pennsylvania landscape. In Pennsylvania Overlooks, Art Michaels describes some of the most outstanding overlooks in the state. These overlooks afford unforgettable images throughout the year. From High Knob Vista in Wyoming State Forest, Sullivan County, the reds, oranges, and yellows of fall foliage extend to the horizon, appearing even more rich and majestic from a height. In winter, High Rocks Vista in Bucks County displays the panorama of a snowy, leafless forest. Near Breezyview Overlook in Lancaster County, a dazzling formation of migrating tundra swans glides over a snow-covered river valley. The trees of the Allegheny National Forest, spreading out below Jakes Rock Overlook in Warren County, convey the freshness of spring through their delicate array of green. Pennsylvania Overlooks provides a unique introduction to these sites and other spectacular overlooks. The selected overlooks are easy to reach by automobile or by foot, and they offer much more than a pretty view. Each chapter presents vital information about an overlook, including a general description of the overlook and its area, the site's distinguishing features, its height, the compass direction of the view, and nearby and distant features visible from the overlook. Michaels also notes recreational activities and opportunities near each site. For weekends filled with nature, beauty, and history, this book is an invaluable guide. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Ron Kuhn
I have lived in Pennsylvania all of my life, hiking, camping, fishing and hunting. As a seasoned outdoorsman I thought that I knew most of the lookouts that the Keystone state had to offer. Upon reading Pennsylvania Overlooks I realized there are many more overlooks than I imagined. From now on I plan to carry the conveniently sized book in my vehicle so I can find the overlooks in the area where I am traveling with my family. This book simplifies the search for overlooks by organizing the overlooks into regions with directions and points of interest. The B/W photos inside give a great indication of what you will see at the overlook without giving away the sheer beauty once you actually get there. I plan to purchase several copies of this book as gifts to friends and family that enjoy beautiful natural areas, especially breathtaking views.

Perfect Travel Companion
In addition to the descriptive overviews of the scenic overlooks, I find the "Opportunities" and "Amenities" sections very helpful when planning outings to these sites.Also, the compact size of this book (approximately the size of a folded state map) makes it a convenient fit in my backpack and glove compartment.

Be aware of what you are ordering
I must confess to some disappointment upon receipt of Pennsylvania Overlooks.The only color picture of these gorgeous overlooks is on the front cover.All other photos are black and white.The narrowness of the book (less than 4 inches wide)makes it difficult even to appreciate the black and white photos.The whole feeling of the book is like those narrow books you get at chain motels that tell you where the locations of their other motels are. ... Read more

Product Description
In his widely acclaimed The Pennsylvania Barn, Robert Ensmingerprovided the first comprehensive study of an important piece of American vernaculararchitecture--the forebay bank barn, better known as the Pennsylvania barn or the PennsylvaniaGerman barn. Now, in this revised edition, Ensminger has continued his diligent fieldwork andarchival research into the origins, evolution, and distribution in North America of this significantagricultural structure. Including an entire chapter of new material, 85 new illustrations, andupdates to previous chapters, this edition of Ensminger's classic work will appeal to students andscholars in cultural and historical geography, folklore and vernacular architectural history, andAmerican studies, as well as to general readers. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

A distinctive and aptly researched study
Now in a revised and expanded second edition, The Pennsylvania Barn: Its Origin, Evolution, And Distribution In North America by Robert F. Ensminger (Professor of Geography, Emeritus, Jutztown University) offers the reader an informative and in-depth study on a characteristic piece of American vernacular architecture - the forebay bank barn, which is also known as the Pennsylvania barn or the Pennsylvania German barn. Black-and-white photographs, diagrams, and a study of the evolution, uses, diffusion, folklore and future of this unique architectural work combine to make The Pennsylvania Barn a distinctive and aptly researched study which is especially recommended to students of American Architectural History. ... Read more

Product Description
Rural Pennsylvania’s landscapes are evocative, richly textured testimonies to the lives and skills of generations of builders—architects as well as local builders and craft workers. Farmhouses and barns, silos and fences, even field patterns attest to how residents over the years have a sense of place that was not only functional but also comfortable and aesthetically appropriate for the time. From Sugar Camps to Star Barns tells the story of one such place, a landscape that evolved in southwestern Pennsylvania’s Somerset County.

Sally McMurry traces the rural life and landscape of Somerset County as it evolved from the earliest settlement days. Eighteenth-century residents were a forest people, living on sparsely built farmsteads and making free use of the heavily forested landscape. The makeshift sugar camp typified their hardscrabble lives. In the nineteenth century, the people of this area turned to farming. Prompted by the "market revolution" that had come to Somerset County, they pursued a highly varied agriculture, combining a subsistence base with robust production of commodities shipped to distant cities. Their landscape reflected this combination of the local and the cosmopolitan—a combination that reached its full expression in the distinctive two-story banked farmhouse with double-decker porch, flanked by a substantial Pennsylvania barn.

The twentieth century brought a more industrialized agriculture to Somerset County. But the shift to profit-and-loss farming also meant the accentuation of landscape elements specific to market products. The magnificent "star barns" of this era overshadowed the houses, and ancillary structures, such as "peepy houses" and silos, spoke to the pressures of efficiency and mass production. The subsequent rise of coal mining helped to stimulate this trend, both by supplying local markets and by creating an incentive for farmers to visually distinguish their landscapes from those of the coal-patch towns.

Illustrated with over 100 photographs, maps, drawings, and diagrams, From Sugar Camps to Star Barns demonstrates how much we can learn about the economy and culture of a particular place simply by being attentive to the built landscape. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Great book if you are familiar with Somerset County, PA
This bookreally shows how the unique and interesting culture of Somerset county, PA was formed. Isolated in the center of the Mid-Atlanic due to geography and climate, the people of the area developed their communities with a different pace and style than the rest ofearly America. Sally Ann McMurry clearly lays out the cultural decisions and outside forces which, over time, created unique rural community. Many of the observations she made can still be plainly seen in the sensibilities of the people living there today.

I recommend this book whole heartedly to anyone with an interest in the formation of American culture or and interest in how geography and economics influence lifestyles.

Great book if you are familiar with Somerset County, PA
This bookreally shows how the unique and interesting culture of Somerset county, PA was formed. Isolated in the center of the Mid-Atlanic due to geography and climate, the people of the area developed their communities with a different pace and style than the rest ofearly America. Sally Ann McMurry clearly lays out the cultural decisions and outside forces which, over time, created unique rural community. Many of the observations she made can still be plainly seen in the sensibilities of the people living there today.

I recommend this book whole heartedly to anyone with an interest in the formation of American culture or and interest in how geography and economics influence lifestyles. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Excellent resource for geographic distribution
As would be expected from any publication by Ann Rhoads, this reference is an excellent source to determine the current geographical distribution of flora throughout the state.Contrary to many other reference books, this one also contains rarely encountered species and a breakdown to variety and subspecies as applicable. ... Read more

Product Description
This is a reproduction of a book published before 1923.This book may have occasional imperfections such as missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. that were either part of the original artifact, or were introduced by the scanning process.We believe this work is culturally important, and despite the imperfections, have elected to bring it back into print as part of our continuing commitment to the preservation of printed works worldwide.We appreciate your understanding of the imperfections in the preservation process, and hope you enjoy this valuable book. ... Read more

Product Description
The book has no illustrations or index. It may have numerous typos or missing text. However, purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original rare book from the publisher's website (GeneralBooksClub.com). You can also preview excerpts of the book there. Purchasers are also entitled to a free trial membership in the General Books Club where they can select from more than a million books without charge. Original Publisher: Philadelphia, U. Hunt ... Read more

Product Description
Originally published in 1910.This volume from the Cornell University Library's print collections was scanned on an APT BookScan and converted to JPG 2000 format by Kirtas Technologies.All titles scanned cover to cover and pages may include marks notations and other marginalia present in the original volume. ... Read more