though i have been a reader of harper's for only 20 of its 150 years--13 percent of its total publishing history--i welcomed this anthology with great anticipation. Then why was I disappointed when the heavy tome arrived? its size makes it too unwieldly to read, especially in bed where i normally read all my harper's magazines. it's like going to bed with a cement block. granted there are some wonderful essays (read: the history of the magazine parallels the cyclical highs and lows of publishing in this country), some stand out in greater relief, such as trotsky's warning about hitler. there's something to be said about reading journalism as history, and this collection won't disappoint. plus, there are some of my favorite essays of a recent vintage--david foster wallace on the state fair or richard rodriguez on san francisco's new gentilty. in any case, buy this book if you have strong biceps; otherwise, content yourself with the stellar monthly magazine.

I kept needing short stories for school reports so I bought this collection to save countless trips to the library. Everything is right in there; no scavanging is needed to find great classic stories. There are so many to choose from that in the event that one of my teachers assigns a specific short story, it will be in there. This anthology proved infinitly useful in the past few months I've had it and will continue to provide me with relevant material in the future for years to come. A must buy.

Works by some of the finest, most notable American writers who contributed to Harper's Magazine over the decades are gathered in a single volume commemorating over a hundred fifty years of the magazine's publication. An American Album: 150 Years Of Harpers Magazine is a showcase of works and images which contains some outstanding writing, and which should not be missed by any with an affection for American literary style.

Arthur Lewis give readers an unflinching glimpse of the world of carneys. His descriptions of the shows and showmen of the late 60's tell the story of a bygone era in carnival history that may never come again. Girl Shows, Freaks, Minstrels and a host of now politically incorrect attractions once were the crown jewels in any big traveling carnival. Lewis interviews the people who made the carnival what it was and what it has become today. A good read.

I traveled with Arthur Lewis as a carny while he did his research for Carnival. He has done a very good job of presenting the carny life as he saw it. He focused on different people and their part of the carnival community. I was the Purdue senior who worked on the Water Balloon Race Game. He stays with facts but makes some chapters of the book funny. I liked the story about William Durks - The man with three (3) eyes. I knew Mr. Durks and he was ugly. I would reccomend this book and if you are or were in the business (with it) a must

"Apprentice to Murder" movie starring Donald Sutherland was based on this book. The book relates the accounts of true events that occurred in York County, Pennsylvania. Media coverage of the ensuing famous murder trial was worldwide.

Having read this work some twenty years ago, I'm dealing with a somewhat clouded memory, but I clearly remember being enthralled by this book. It recalls a grizzly murder and the subsequent trial that took place in the Pennsylvania Dutch country around Harrisburg. I believe the period was the 1920s. Three young men, raised in the local culture of superstition and dark rituals became convinced that their personal and family misfortunes were the result of a hex. Before long, they identified the perpetrater as a local farmer,whom they believed to be a witch. The ensuing turn of events was to shock America. The author writes a thorough examination of the prevailing rural culture and its medieval European roots. The charming farmland and hamlets of the time hide the more sinister traditions of the populace, who's greatest fear is exposure by the outside world of the 20th century. Though it's somewhat dated, I believe this book is a useful look into the dark side of the human psyche. I would dearly love to read it again, if I could find it.

This book is an interesting introduction to reading about the beginning of the labor movement in America. The story unfolds after the Civil War in the coal fields of eastern Pennsylvania. Irish coal miners pit themselves against the owners of the mines and the railroads in this exciting class struggle. As you read the book, you may question the author's point-of-view regarding labor vs management events. Were the leaders of the various Irish communities cold-blooded murderers or working class heroes? Were Jack Kehoe, Alec Campbell and others framed by a Pinkerton detective? Why was the work in the mine pits the most dangerous job in America? Did the bosses and owners undermine the efforts of workingmen to organize and improve their lives in the coal pits? Did the "secret society" of the Molly Maguires actually exist? Read the book, do some research, and decide for yourself. The controversial film, The Molly Maguires, starring Sean Connery and Richard Harris was "suggested" by this book.

Arthur Lewis' prize-winning account of the infamous Molly Maguires, the small secret group of Irish immigrants who terrorized the coal regions of eastern Pennsylvania with murder, mayhem and political corruption in the post-Civil War period. This is one of the more readable books on the subject, and tells the story in an entertaining narrative that succeeds in conveying the true excitement of the Molly era, and well depicts the astounding courage of the famous Irish Pinkerton detective, James McParlan, who risked his life to infiltrate the deadly, terrorist society. Arthur Lewis was a journalist by training, not a professional historian, and therefore this work should not be judged according to academic standards. You will not find pages of footnotes or scholarly references. However, Lewis grew up in Pennsylvania and his personal familiarity with the facts was bolstered by an impressive amount of historical research. Some people have criticized Lewis for siding with the coal companies and the prosecutors against the Mollies in this book, believing that this makes him "anti-Irish" or "anti-labor," but the stance is well justified by historical events. A very good book.

Overall the book was an easy read. It was entertaining, albeit a little difficult to follow in some places. It would have helped me if I'd known a little more of the history and lore behind the story, but the book stands alone as a guide to the little known behind the scenes facts.

This book profiles the life of Hetty Green, who in the year 1900 was worth $100,000,000. Rumours abound about her idiosyncracies, the most prevalent of which is frugality. Say what you will about Hetty, she was a market genius. She spotted an opportunity before anyone noticed anything was missing. She had foresight, an iron will, and incredible fortitude. Much of this can be attributed to her father and grandfather, who themselves had amassed wealth and shared their secrets with Hetty from the time she was a young girl. Hetty's children, on the other hand, are an odd lott, from Ned Green, who hung a whale's penis on his wall for the sheer amusement factor in that most people did not know what it was, to her daughter Sylvia who was more of a recluse. When Sylvia died, she donated tens of thousands of dollars to those whom she remembered were kind to her. I read it for geneological research, as Hetty and I may be related. However, if a story of building and maintaining wealth through innovation and cunning interests you, you will enjoy this book. I understand, however, that some of the facts may have been embellished. There are other sources of info about Hetty available if you want facts. Enjoy!