King Charles II of England gave Pennsylvania to Quaker William Penn in repayment for a loan that Penn’s father had made to the king. The king probably thought he was accomplishing more than just paying a debt when he made the land grant. It was a way to get rid of some Quakers, whom he considered troublesome. Quakers did flock to Pennsylvania to settle, but so did people from many other religious groups. All faiths were welcome in Penn’s colony. The new city of Philadelphia prospered. Settlers fanned out to the west to build farms and towns. They shipped their products to Philadelphia and England. By the time of the American Revolution, Pennsylvania was considered the heart of the colonies. Philadelphia hosted the First and Second Continental Congresses, where the Declaration of Independence was crafted. And from the Pennsylvania State House, the Liberty Bell rang out the news of declared independence.

Most people celebrate their half century birthday surrounded by family and friends. Sam Chapman is unlike most people. He decides turning fifty deserves a special celebration, and embarks upon a road trip across America, one that reveals the many layers of Sam's inner soul. With only a map in the glove box and some cash and a credit card in his wallet, Sam begins a journey that will forever change his life. Over the course of ten days, Sam drives from his home in Provincetown, Massachusetts to meet his best friend, who lives in Bishop, California. The three thousand mile road trip becomes an excursion filled with beautiful scenery, remarkable villages and towns and several interludes with nature. Along the way, Sam meets a variety of characters and discovers parts of the country that are magical, mysterious, and redefine the meaning of natural beauty. Ten stops in as many days lead the way to Sam's half-century birthday celebration, and pave a new meaning of getting from Point A to Point B. Road Trip will take you on a back seat adventure to undiscovered towns tucked throughout 14 states across America. Reading this novel will inspire readers to step back in time, when traveling was something to be enjoyed and savored, not merely endured.

A study of the Civilian Conservation Corps, one of the most popular programs created by FDR as part of the New Deal, examines Pennsylvania's CCC program, discussing their successful work in the reforestation of the state, upgrading state park recreational facilities, historic preservation, soil conservation, and relief assistance to Pennsylvania families in need.

A stellar gathering of American historians reflects on places where history comes alive for them, from Gettysburg to Graceland. 35 halftones & line drawings. Copyright © Libri GmbH. All rights reserved.