Pennsylvania: A History of the Commonwealth [Paperback]

Randall M. Miller (Author, Editor), William A. Pencak (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 22, 2002 | ISBN-10: 0271022140 | ISBN-13: 978-0271022147

The Keystone State, so nicknamed because it was geographically situated in the middle of the thirteen original colonies and played a crucial role in the founding of the United States, has remained at the heart of American history. Created partly as a safe haven for people from all walks of life, Pennsylvania is today the home of diverse cultures, religions, ethnic groups, social classes, and occupations. Many ideas, institutions, and interests that were first formed or tested in Pennsylvania spread across America and beyond, and continue to inform American culture, society, and politics. This book tells that story and more. It recenters Pennsylvania in the American historical narrative.Pennsylvania: A History of the Commonwealth offers fresh perspectives on the Keystone State from a distinguished array of scholars who view the history of this Commonwealth critically and honestly, using the latest and best scholarship to give a modern account of Pennsylvania's past. They do so by emphasizing the evolution of Pennsylvania as a place and an idea. The book, the first comprehensive history of Pennsylvania in almost three decades, sets the Pennsylvania story in the larger context of national social, cultural, economic, and political development. Without sacrificing treatment of the influential leaders who made Pennsylvania history, the book focuses especially on the lives of everyday people over the centuries. It also magnifies historical events by examining the experiences of local communities throughout the state.Pennsylvania: A History of the Commonwealth is divided into two parts. Part I offers a narrative history of the Commonwealth, paying special attention to the peopling process (the movement of people into, around, and out from the state); the ways people defined and defended communities; the forms of economic production; the means of transportation and communication; the character, content, and consequences of people's values; and the political cultures that emerged from the kinds of society, economy, and culture each period formed and sustained. Part II offers a series of 'Ways to Pennsylvania's Past'--nine concise guides designed to enable readers to discover Pennsylvania's heritage for themselves. Geography, architecture, archaeology, folklore and folklife, genealogy, photography, art, oral history, and literature are all discussed as methods of uncovering and understanding the past. Each chapter is especially attuned to Pennsylvania's place in the larger American context, and a Foreword, Introduction, and Epilogue to Part I explore general themes throughout the state's history. An important feature of the book is the large selection of illustrations--more than 400 prints, maps, photographs, and paintings carefully chosen from repositories across the state and beyond, to show how Pennsylvanians have lived, worked, and played through the centuries. This book is the result of a unique collaboration between Penn State Press and the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission (PHMC), the official history agency of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Together they gathered scholars from all over the Commonwealth to envision a new history of the Keystone State and commit their resources to make imagining and writing a new history possible.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Pennsylvanians have made their commonwealth central to the political, economic, and cultural life and history of the nation. Editors Miller (president, Pennsylvania Historical Assn.; history, St. Joseph's Univ., and an LJ reviewer) and Pencak (history, Pennsylvania State Univ.) and 15 contributors show how Pennsylvanians have "used and occupied the land, created and built communities, organized work and production and made and remade Pennsylvania as a place and an idea." Part 1, "The History," narrates Pennsylvanians from prehistoric times through the Colonial, Revolutionary, Civil War, and industrial eras to our post-industrial world. In Part 2, "Ways to Pennsylvania's Past," scholars treat the reader to the fascinating ways archaeology, architecture, art, folklore, genealogy, geography, literature, oral history, and photography have enriched our understanding of the "Keystone State." Twenty-five years since the publication of the last standard history, the editors present 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, Pennsylvania State Univ., State College
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

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. --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

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 672 pages
• Publisher: Pennsylvania State Univ Pr (October 22, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0271022140
• ISBN-13: 978-0271022147
• Product Dimensions: 10.4 x 9 x 1.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #247,985 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

30 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Pennsylvania History Presented in Fine Fashion, May 13, 2003

By 

LEON L CZIKOWSKY (Harrisburg, Pa USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Pennsylvania: A History of the Commonwealth (Paperback)

A much needed history book concerning Pennsylvania has finally been published, and that book is "Pennsylvania", edited by Randall Miller and William Pencak. This is one of the best state history books ever, as it is comprehensive, readable, and vastly informative. Its chapters are well written and skillfully documented by notable experts on each chapter's time periods and subjects.
To highlight portions of the book does injustice to the multitude of other subjects. Still, among aspects this book discusses include how William Penn's treaty with Native Americans symbolized a new spirit of cooperation in American, and how his son's breaking of that treaty perhaps introduced another national spirit.
We see how how industrial owners persuaded Pennsylvania government to make unprecedented infrastructure developments in railroads, roads, banks, and canals that both made Pennsylvania an industrial leader and the owners quite wealthy.
The book tells us of the first Paleo-Indians who probably came to Pennsylvania 14,000 years ago. Their lifestyles influence through today, as many present highways follow the same routes Indians used for centuries prior.
19th century Philadelphia's business leaders are described as being more centered on their own businesses than on the state of their community than leaders in other cities. This led to New York and Baltimore surpassing Philadelphia economically.
At the turn of the 20th century, child labor was an important factor of Pennsylvanian family income, often representing one third to one half of what a family earned. One sixth of households increased their incomes by renting to boarders.
Pennsylvania has a temperature and climate that resembles that of Europe. This book combines history with many fields of interest. For readers who wish to gain a wealth of knowledge about Pennsylvania, this is the book to own.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great state history, August 24, 2008

By 

Adam Harpool (New York City) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Pennsylvania: A History of the Commonwealth (Paperback)

I purchased and read this book before heading to graduate school in Pennsylvania; I knew very little about the state other than the bare details, and I prefer to possess a certain "sense" of a place before living there. This book satisfied that desire and more; it provided a great insight into the historical movements that are common to many states, while covering Pennsylvania's history from the times of indigenous habitation to the 21st Century challenges and opportunities. An engaging and easy read for anybody looking for a great overview of the Keystone State's rich history and culture.

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great School Addition, November 2, 2008

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Jessica Ocipa - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Pennsylvania: A History of the Commonwealth (Paperback)

I purchased this book for my Scholastic Quiz team and it has be a great study tool. PA information is an important component of the competition and this resource has a great deal of information in a very handy, easy to use format. My students can divide the chapters and study away!