PA BOOKS on PCN

PA BOOKS on PCN

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PA BOOKS on PCN episodes

  • "The Lake Erie Campaign of 1813" with Walter Rybka
    On September 10, 1813, the hot, still air that hung over Lake Erie was broken by the sounds of sharp conflict. Led by Oliver Hazard Perry, the American fleet met the British, and though they sustained heavy losses, Perry and his men achieved one of the most stunning victories in the War of 1812. Author Walter Rybka traces the Lake Erie Campaign from the struggle to build the fleet in Erie, Pennsylvania, during the dead of winter and the conflict between rival egos of Perry and his second in command, Jesse Duncan Elliott, through the exceptionally bloody battle that was the first U.S. victory in a fleet action. With the singular perspective of having sailed the reconstructed U.S. brig Niagara for over twenty years, Rybka brings the knowledge of a shipmaster to the story of the Lake Erie Campaign and the culminating Battle of Lake Erie.
    1 hr 2 min
  • "Historic Architecture of Pennsylvania" with Scott Butcher
    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.
    59 min
  • "Pittsburgh in World War I" with Elizabeth Williams

    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

    29 min
  • "Emotional Gettysburg" with Karl Kuerner and Bruce Mowday

    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.

    29 min
  • "Bandstandland" with Larry Lehmer
    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.
    51 min
  • "By Great Rivers: Lives of the Appalachian Frontier" with Robert Swift

    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.

    56 min
  • "Cum Posey of the Homestead Grays" with James Overmyer
    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.
    56 min
  • "George Washington's Nemesis" with Christian McBurney

    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.

    59 min
  • "The New Eagles Encyclopedia" with Ray Didinger

    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.

    59 min
  • “Tuskegee in Philadelphia” with Robert Kodosky
    At the outbreak of World War II, Philadelphians heeded the call, including the valiant airmen and women of Tuskegee. Although trained in Alabama, the prestigious unit comprised dozens of Philadelphia-area natives, second only to Chicago in the country. They served as fighter pilots, bombers, nurses and mechanics, as well as in many other support roles. The African American service members had to overcome racism and sexism on the homefront in order to serve with great distinction. Their battle for equality didn't end at the war's conclusion. Tuskegee alumni continued to serve their nation by working to secure civil rights and serve their community back home in Philadelphia. Author Robert Kodosky presents the trials and triumphs of Philadelphia's Tuskegee airmen and women.
    Robert Kodosky chairs the history department at West Chester University, where he teaches courses on American military and diplomatic history and advises the Student Veteran Group.
    54 min

About PA BOOKS on PCN

From the publisher's feed

PA Books features authors of books about Pennsylvania-related topics. These hour-long conversations allow authors to discuss both their subject matter and inspiration behind the books.

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