A story about an aging Pennsylvania Dutch couple and their extended family. Situated in the Oley Hills around Reading, Pennsylvania, this book portrays the spirit of the "fancy Dutch," the ones with the hex signs on their barns and the painted furniture in their kitchens. The descriptions of Pennsylvania Dutch traditional farming practices and the love for nature illustrated by this extremely well-written novel will make you wish that the United States Congress was packed with good old-fashioned Pennsylvania Dutch men and women. The warmth and love portrayed will make you hesitate to loan this book to a friend, because you will want to reread it at those times when you are feeling low and need a lift. The values and culture of these people should serve as a model for our entire society, especially in these troubled times. This book is filled with descriptions of farming and nature that will take you to another place, a place you will want to revisit often.
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Editorial Reviews
Review
"Some people keep scrapbooks or photo albums ... Schmeck published a novel ... from memory about his childhood." -- The Southern Illinoisan, March 29, 2005
A delightful historical novel about a Pennsylvania Dutch family ... 'Sit yoahself down an have'a cup'a coffee once't, an'a piece'a shoofly pie!" -- Journal of the Berks County Genealogical Society, v. 25, No. 3
A delightful historical novel about a Pennsylvania Dutch family ... 'Sit yoahself down an have'a cup'a coffee once't, an'a piece'a shoofly pie!" -- Journal of the Berks County Genealogical Society, v. 25, No. 3
From the Publisher
A tribute to the "fancy" Pennsylvania Dutch, the ones that are overlooked in a time when everyone thinks that all Dutch are Amish. The simplicity and sustainability of their lifestyles provide a distinct contrast to life in this age of "globalization."
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
An enjoyable story,
By
This review is from: The Other Side of the Middle: A Pennsylvania Dutch Story of Family Love (Paperback)
I really enjoyed this book, written by a former, much appreciated, professor of mine. It described a loving family, deeply rooted in Pennsylvania Dutch farmland traditions, yet with modern sensibilities. The descriptions of that homestead with its aged, sturdy buildings, and its very traditional practices, were also vivid and fascinating. I almost hated finishing the book since I could no longer keep company with that family and hear their conversations about life and its circumstances.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Roger's View,
By
This review is from: The Other Side of the Middle: A Pennsylvania Dutch Story of Family Love (Paperback)
I just completed reading this book in full and must say the author
did a wonderful job. It sure brought back a lot of memories of my youth in Pennsylvania Dutch country. I never read a book that brought tears to my eyes like this one did. It was sad but warm and uplifting. There's a section describing an underground cave, and I could just see myself doing that and not being able to turn around. WOW! What a good book. It sure made my day reading it. I can't wait till the author comes out with another one.
4.0 out of 5 stars
A nostalgic view of rural America,
This review is from: The Other Side of the Middle: A Pennsylvania Dutch Story of Family Love (Paperback)
A hi fidelity picture of a culture few would really know about except by name. Definitely a feel-good story, about gentle looking-for-love-and-finding-it.I loved the nostalgic details of post World War 2 rural Pennsylvania, including the mouth-watering detail of the cooking. An America that alas hardly exists any more, except perhaps in the Amish communities, which this one wasn't. The one jarring detail: so many names beginning with R: Ronald Ray, then Regan, Ricky, Ruby, Rosa and Randy.
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Inside This Book
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First Sentence:
His age was still in single digits when his father left. Read the first page Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs): (learn more)
dat vass, dat vay, vee use, pot pudding, wagon barn, horse ring, hospice volunteer, loose hay Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
Pennsylvania Dutch, Pop Pop, United States, Uncle Regan, Atlantic City, World War, Aunt Tootsie, Intensive Care, Luke's Hospital, Arsenic Schlank, Fat Schmidt, Korean War, Mount Pennsylvania, New Delhi, Peach Weidenheimer, Aunt Ruby, Henry Shittler, Ima Jean, Maggie Stoltzfusz, New York, San Francisco, State College New!
Concordance | Text Stats Browse Sample Pages:
Front Cover | First Pages | Back Cover | Surprise Me!
His age was still in single digits when his father left. Read the first page Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs): (learn more)
dat vass, dat vay, vee use, pot pudding, wagon barn, horse ring, hospice volunteer, loose hay Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
Pennsylvania Dutch, Pop Pop, United States, Uncle Regan, Atlantic City, World War, Aunt Tootsie, Intensive Care, Luke's Hospital, Arsenic Schlank, Fat Schmidt, Korean War, Mount Pennsylvania, New Delhi, Peach Weidenheimer, Aunt Ruby, Henry Shittler, Ima Jean, Maggie Stoltzfusz, New York, San Francisco, State College New!
Concordance | Text Stats Browse Sample Pages:
Front Cover | First Pages | Back Cover | Surprise Me!
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