Name: Remembering Albany:
Brand: Don Rittner
SKU: 9781596297708
Price: 21.99 USD
Availability: InStock

Remembering Albany:

9781596297708

$21.99

The history of Albany, New York, spans more than four hundred years and has left an indelible mark on the story of America. However, the city's legacy is also peppered with charming tales about nostalgic diner devotion, a "giant" hoax, and the origins of the Yankee Doodle ditty. In this collection, local author and columnist Don Rittner delights with the best stories from his column "Heritage on the Hudson." From the city's earliest days as Mohican and Iroquois territory to the region's heyday as an important crossroads for trading and river transportation to a French toast debacle, Rittner offers a delightful perspective of the history and culture of this capital city.

Historic Genesse Country:

9781596291782

$21.99

Genesee Country, composed of Allegany, Genesee, Wyoming, Livingston, Monroe and Ontario Counties near the Genesee River in western New York, is rich in local history with national importance. The Seneca and Algonkin nations once called this lush land home, and after the American Revolution, settlers came in hordes to till the soil and raise families. The region later became a hotbed of activity for abolitionists, early supporters of women's rights and religious movements that influenced the entire United States. In this book, author and local historian Rose O'Keefe chronicles the sites where these and other important events took place. Join her on a tour of Genesee Country's legacies.

Remembering Kingstree, South Carolina:

9781596292918

$21.99

Kingstree at the turn of the twentieth century was very different from the town we know today. From wild horses galloping down Academy Street to throngs of residents rushing out half dressed in the middle of the night to join a bucket brigade extinguishing a neighbor's house fire, life in Kingstree was full of color and excitement.

The stories and spirit of old Kingstree live on in the writings of "Miss" Bessie Britton, who grew up in the town nearly one hundred years ago. Her vivid memories provide a window into the past. Her witty and nostalgic columns from decades ago tell of Kingstree's characters, its homes and businesses, and its families. From childhood days of buying bright red all-day suckers at Reddick's Red Hot Racket Emporium to the troubling times of the World Wars, Miss Bessie's writings recall the bygone days of Kingstree and are collected here for a new generation to enjoy.

Civil War Eufaula

9781626192447

$21.99

Told here for the first time is the compelling story of the Bluff City during the Civil War. Historian and preservationist Mike Bunn takes you from the pivotal role Eufaula played in Alabama's secession and early enthusiasm for the Confederate cause to its aborted attempt to become the state's capital and its ultimate capture by Union forces, chronicling the effects of the conflict on Eufaulans along the way. Civil War Eufaula "draws on a wide range of firsthand individual perspectives, including those of husbands and wives, political leaders, businessmen, journalists, soldiers, students and slaves, to produce a mosaic of observations on shared experiences. Together, they communicate what it was like to live in this riverside trading town during a prolonged and cataclysmic war. It is the story of ordinary people in extraordinary times."

Remembering Johnson City

9781596294837

$21.99

Nestled in the Appalachian Mountains, Johnson City is a town that has grown with the times, from a sleepy depot stop to a thriving city. In this collection of history gems, Johnson City Press "Yesteryear" columnist Bob Cox expertly combs through the past to uncover stories of rampaging elephants and the fiddling Taylor brothers, the five railroads and the Soldiers' Home, the Civil War and westward expansion. Come along and experience a place of homegrown music and enduring memories. Experience Johnson City.

Prattville, Alabama:

9781609491949

$21.99

In 1833, a New Hampshire industrialist named Daniel Pratt moved south. Pratt established the largest cotton gin factory in the world and, with it, a town known fittingly as Prattville. Soon this humble hamlet outside Montgomery became an industrial hub, fueling Alabama's antebellum cotton production. Prattville weathered the Civil War and recovered faster than any other Alabama town, as Pratt collected on debts owed from his Northern accounts. Since then, Prattville has continued to grow in important ways, gradually shifting from an industrial epicenter to a forward-looking city and a beloved hometown. Through floods, tornadoes, damaging fires and shifting economic conditions, Prattville and its townspeople endured. Now, authors Marc and Melissa Parker ensure that Prattville's history will also endure by recounting the Fountain City's proud heritage.

The Diary of Asser Levy

9781455625215

$10.95

In 1654, the first group of refugee Jews, fleeing persecution, arrived in America from Brazil. In New Amsterdam, they began a legal fight for religious and civil rights that helped shape the character of modern-day New York. Here middle-grade readers will be introduced to the real-life figure of Asser Levy, through imagined diary entries about his experiences.

Civil War Lexington, Kentucky

9781609493318

$21.99

Although no great Civil War battles were fought in Lexington, Kentucky, the city afforded some of the greatest military and political leaders on each side. It produced the Honorable Henry Clay, whose efforts postponed the war by at least a decade. The city touched the lives of both Jefferson Davis and Abraham Lincoln, whose wife, Mary Todd, spent her early years there. This breeding ground of power molded the careers and characters of men like John C. Breckinridge and John Hunt Morgan. Authors Josh Leet and Karen Leet introduce the men and women of Lexington who shaped United States history and whose lives were forever changed by the war that shook the nation.

Hollywood of the Rockies:

9781609497439

$21.99

In the early days of the twentieth century, movies weren't made in California. As America's film pioneers traveled westward, Colorado became a beacon to them, contributing to the early motion picture business with all the relish and gusto of a western saga. The gorgeous natural scenery was perfect for the country's (and the world's) growing infatuation with the West, turning Colorado itself into a bigger star of the early cinema than any particular actor. Using rare photos and contemporary accounts, writer and filmmaker Michael J. Spencer explores the little-known filmmaking industry that flourished in the Rocky Mountains between 1895 and 1915--west of New York but east of Hollywood.

Prohibition in the Napa Valley:

9781626190894

$21.99

To a region flush with the success of alcohol, Prohibition was a sobering thought. Against the backdrop of national events, author Lin Weber introduces a cast of Napa Valley's leading citizens, embroiled in a fight for their livelihood with temperance champions and federal agents. Theodore Bell filed a Hail Mary suit to stop California's ratification of the Eighteenth Amendment. Vintner Georges de Latour made money hand over fist on altar wine. The Nichelini winery hid a cache of contraband under the floorboards, and the Blaufuss Brewery avoided prosecution when the law turned a blind eye. Join Weber as she relates a wry tale of cherished vines, widespread corruption and alcohol-inspired mayhem during a time when morality" tightened the noose around Napa's prized alcohol industry."

Remembering Greensboro

9781596298194

$21.99

Have you ever heard about the Gardner Hill gold mine or the healing powers of Apinol? Do you remember the Brightwood Inn or the antics of Slammin' Sammy Snead? Culling the best from News & Record reporter Jim Schlosser's hundreds of history-related articles, Remembering Greensboro celebrates the unique history of Greensboro and Guilford County. From memorable events like the Woolworth sit-ins and the Greater Greensboro Open to beloved local heroes, characters and celebrities, Schlosser offers something for everyone who calls the Gate City home.

Portland's Greatest Conflagration:

9781596299559

$21.99

On the Fourth of July in 1866, joy turned to tragedy in Portland, Maine. A boy threw a firecracker onto a pile of wood shavings and it erupted in a blaze as residents prepared to celebrate the 110th anniversary of American independence in the momentous time following the Civil War. The violent conflagration killed two people and destroyed all structures on nearly thirty streets. Authors Michael Daicy and Don Whitney, both firefighters, chronicle the day's catastrophic events, as well as the bravery of those who fought the ferocious fire, dispelling the myth that ill-trained firefighting contributed to the devastation.

Preserving Paradise:

9781596291522

$21.99

In the nearly 500 years since the Florida Keys were discovered by Christopher Columbus in his search for the Fountain of Youth, Key West has been the home of a dazzling array of inhabitants. The picturesque island has been populated with native Indians, European settlers, pirates and other various scallywags, pineapple farmers and an endless stream of sailors from far-flung ports of call. Each faction brought with it to the island a unique past and culture, and no where can this variety of influences be more readily observed than in Key West's historic architecture.

The intriguing history of Key West can be deciphered through the architecture of its buildings--each façade and portico offers another subtle detail in the island-city's larger story. Preserving Paradise, by author and executive director of the Historic Florida Keys Foundation George Born, reveals the nuances of Key West's architecture and uses it to illuminate many aspects of Conch Republic history.

With a warm, readable style, Born explores a range of topics, including Key West's prevalent architectural styles, the preservation of historic structures, the history of building materials, and the effect of hurricanes on the city's architectural heritage. Committed to preserving Key West's architecture and the past it represents, Born explains in detail just why Key West is so architecturally unique, and why the city's buildings, streets and neighborhoods are a repository of history that can be discovered by experts and weekend visitors alike.

Voodoo in New Orleans

9780882893365

$9.99

"Straightforward handling of.. . voodooism in all its manifestations."
--Kirkus Reviews

Originally published in 1946, this intriguing book examines the rites and beliefs associated with voodoo through the legends of the art--its charms, trances, rituals, and difficult-to-explain occurrences.

Hyde Park

9780738573960

$24.99

Hyde Park, the last town annexed to Boston in 1912, was founded in 1868 from sections of Dorchester, Milton, and Dedham. For decades, Hyde Park thrived in proximity to the city while offering a bucolic setting along the Neponset River.

Portland's Past:

9781609491659

$21.99

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow immortalized Portland, Maine, as the "beautiful town that is seated by the sea." In this volume, Maine author Luann Yetter presents the stories from its past that not only showcase this exquisiteness but also illuminate its diverse and exciting history. The founding members of the Forest City braved the harsh winters, but not without scandals and struggles. One man raised a navy to fight the Barbary pirates threatening ships that sailed from Casco Bay, and privateers brought rum onboard and ashore. And while one Portlander traded slaves, many others worked the Underground Railroad as staunch antislavery crusaders. Discover Portland from its beginning as uncharted territory through to its development into the quintessential New England city it is today.

Pirates of Colonial Newport

9781626192508

$21.99

Sail the seas and journey with Newport, Rhode Island's pirates beginning with war and ending with revolution that inspired swashbuckling legends for generations to come!

From 1690 to the American Revolution, many of Newport's fathers, husbands and sons sailed under the black flag. They would return home from plundering the high seas to attend church and serve in public offices. The citizens of Newport welcomed pirates with their exotic goods and gold to spend. The community changed its tune when Newport's prosperous shipping fleet was on the receiving end of piracy during the early 18th century. The locals who had once offered safe haven were suddenly more than pleased to cooperate with London's hunt for pirates.

Author Gloria Merchant delves into the fascinating history of Newport's pirates from Thomas Tew and Captain Kidd's buried treasure to the largest mass hanging of pirates in the colonies at Gravelly Point.

Mandy’s Favorite Louisiana Recipes

9780882891422

$8.95

This volume features more than 300 authentic recipes straight from the kitchens of Creole Louisiana.

Mardi Gras

9780882891606

$9.95

In this pictorial study, the author recounts the history of Carnival in New Orleans, bringing to life in photographs and in text the color, the pulse, and the pageantry that have earned for this annual extravaganza the distinction as "the greatest free show on earth!" Author Leonard Huber traces the evolution of carnival from its modest beginnings, including: Lavish balls during the American regime under Governor William C.C. Claiborne; The first masked parade in 1837; The first torchlight parade by the Mystick Krewe of Comus in 1857; The coming of Rex and Momus in 1872; Participation of royalty, including Alexis, Grand Duke of Russia, and the Duke and Duchess of Windsor; The fiercely anti-Republican themes during the bitter years of Reconstruction; Modern innovations and the establishment of new krewes; Creation of the Rex doubloon in 1960. More than 160 photographs and drawings, many of them old and rare, illustrate the fast-moving narrative. One of Louisiana's leading historians, author Leonard Huber was a lifetime observer of Carnival and Mardi Gras. Many of the photographs and memorabilia reproduced in this volume are from his extensive private collection. He also wrote New Orleans: A Pictorial History, published by Pelican.

Classic Diners of Connecticut

9781626192157

$21.99

Over twenty thousand miles of highways and main streets crisscross the state of Connecticut, inviting hungry travelers and locals into the more than one hundred diners that dot the roadways. Among these eateries are some of the most prized American classic diners manufactured by such legendary builders as DeRaffele, O'Mahony, Tierney and Kullman. Author Garrison Leykam hosts a road trip to Connecticut's diners, celebrating local recipes and diner lingo--order up a #81, frog sticks or a Noah's boy with Murphy carrying a wreath--as well as stories that make each diner unique. Tony's Diner in Seymour still keeps pictures of the 1955 flood to always remember the tragedy the diner overcame. Stories like these--of tragedy, triumph, sanctuary, comfort and community--fill the pages in this celebration of classic and historic diners of the Nutmeg State.

Mardi Gras Treasures

9781565547469

$5.95

Perfect for sharing Mardi Gras with friends and family or for inviting them to Carnival, these postcards reproduce invitations of the Golden Age (1870-1930). Selected from the pages of the upcoming volume Mardi Gras Treasures: Invitations of the Golden Age , the images that grace these postcards extend invitations to visit the glorious past of New Orleans, which was ablaze with fantastic, torch-lit processions and opulent tableau balls. While the mysterious parades were public, the fabulous balls were private, and invitations to them were coveted. Ball invitations, dance cards, and admit cards reflected exalted themes drawn from mythology, epic literature, religion, and whimsy. Presented in this collection are dazzling examples of that artistry-masterworks of design and lithography, most of them reproduced here for the first time.

Hidden History of Fort Smith, Arkansas

9781609494506

$21.99

During the days of American westward expansion, Fort Smith was the gritty frontier town whose lawless reputation became known both east and west of the Mississippi.

The last developed township just before unsettled native territory and dubbed "Hell on the Border,'? Fort Smith laid low more than its fair share of settlers, pioneers, and outlaws alike. After years of disorder, reformers and lawmen helped tame the city's wild ways, beginning Fort Smith's transformation into the prosperous city it is. Yet buried beneath Fort Smith's infamous past are forgotten stories, untold tales, and little-known facts concealed just below the city's surface. After years spent researching the city's history for his column in the Times Record, journalist Ben Boulden uncovers Fort Smith's hidden history.

Famous New Orleans Drinks & How to Mix 'Em

9780882891323

$12.95

"A classical work."
-H. L. Mencken, early twentieth-century distinguished journalist, critic, and editor

From the story behind the Side Car Cocktail to the secret of perfect Mississippi Planter's Punch, this effervescent collection is a spirited romp through the history and recipes of New Orleans's most famous cocktails.
Concoct exotic beverages such as Pousse Caf', Vieux Carr' Cocktail, and Absinthe Anisette as you imbibe the lore behind these libations. These colorful stories, including the creation of the Ramos Gin Fizz and the origin of the word cocktail, are stimulating sips of the zest of the Crescent City.
Since its debut 1937, Famous New Orleans Drinks and How to Mix 'Em has brought a twist of Bourbon Street to homes worldwide.

Famous New Orleans Drinks & How to Mix 'Em

Civil War Soldiers of Greater Cleveland:

9781626190887

$21.99

The Civil War interrupted the area around Cleveland, Ohio, in the middle of its great leap into prosperity, redirecting its men into military camps and its industrial strength into munitions and provisions. Dale Thomas roots his story in the letters that kept the ordinary soldiers from Cuyahoga County tethered to their families and friends on the home front, even as they moved from battlefield to battlefield, through sickness and captivity. For many, these letters were the only part of them to make it back--their final legacy to a community they had helped to build.

Civil War Soldiers of Greater Cleveland:

Clarence Saunders and the Founding of Piggly Wiggly

9781609492854

$21.99

Clarence Saunders' vision for a better shopping experience for day-to-day needs has made Piggly Wiggly a staple of southern living for over 100 years.

The grocery business began as a complicated service industry. Random pricing, inconsistent quantities and prescriptive salesmen made grocery shopping burdensome. It took one brash Memphian with uncommon vision and unbridled ambition to change everything. Clarence Saunders worked his way out of poverty and obscurity to found Piggly Wiggly in 1916. With an unprecedented approach, he virtually invented the concept of the modern self-service grocery store. Stores flourished, franchises spread and Saunders made millions. Yet just as the final bricks of Pink Palace--his garish marble mansion--were being laid, Saunders went bankrupt, and he was forced to sell Piggly Wiggly. A variety of new ventures helped Saunders out of bankruptcy, but he never duplicated his prior success. Memphis historian Mike Freeman tracks the remarkable life of this retail visionary.

Clarence Saunders and the Founding of Piggly Wiggly

Potrero Hill

9780738559667

$24.99

A neighborhood in the southeast corner of San Francisco, Potrero Hill enjoys some of the city's finest weather and most spectacular views. Once pastureland and home to immigrants working in the shipbuilding industries, Potrero Hill was long ignored by guidebooks. Now "The Hill" is regenerating, and these pages highlight what is gone and what remains on these sunny slopes.

Hidden History of Columbia County, New York

9781626193956

$21.99

Discover the hidden history of the Hudson Valley's Columbia County with local author Allison Guertin Marchese.

Bordered by the Hudson River and the Berkshire Mountains, Columbia County is part of the famously picturesque Hudson Valley region, but these rolling hills hold secrets most have long forgotten. A mastodon tooth rolling down a farmer's hill in Claverack, changing the world's understanding of prehistoric times; the site of New York's last hanging at Hudson's gallows, as hundreds of ticketholders looked on; outcasts called Pondshiners who hid in the hills of Taghkanic, the only sign of their existence being the fantastic handwove baskets made from strips of hardwood. Join author Allison Guertin Marchese as she explores these little-known stories of people and places that create the history of Columbia County, New York.

Hidden History of Columbia County, New York

Wicked Palm Beach:

9781596297944

$21.99

During the Prohibition era, the Royal Poinciana Hotel in Palm Beach featured a secret hallway that led to a clandestine speakeasy called Hypocrite's Row." About the same time, the infamous Ashley gang, a ragtag band of violent criminals, had South Florida gripped in fear. Indeed, few eras in few places were as exciting, outrageous and tragic as the period between World War I and the hammer fall of the Great Depression, when Florida partied, passed out and woke up with one heck of a hangover. From rumrunners to pirates, mobsters to moguls, Palm Beach County has hosted its fair share of questionable characters over the decades. Meet the faces and places that have shaped Palm Beach County and the Treasure Coast with renowned local author Eliot Kleinberg, who draws on his "Post Time" column in the Palm Beach Post to offer this unique glimpse into the extraordinary history of Palm Beach."

Lake Chelan Valley

9780738570662

$24.99

A jewel nestled in the Cascade Mountains, fjord-like Lake Chelan is known today for its recreational opportunities, prominence in the apple industry, and up-and-coming wineries. This 55-mile-long lake, walled by cliffs for much of its length, was part of the traditional hunting, fishing, and gathering lands of several Native American tribes, including the Chelan Indians. The first European explorers arrived in 1811 seeking fur trade routes. Settlement began in earnest about 1886 with land allotments and homestead claims for the Chelan and Entiat Indians. Mining, logging, hydropower, the establishment of the Chelan town site, and the development of a lake ferry system followed. Generations of colorful characters appear in the history of the valley: trappers and miners, early entrepreneurs, and boat captains who piloted the steamers that served as the highway of the valley. All are part of the fabric of the Lake Chelan Valley today.

The Sunshine Skyway Bridge: Spanning Tampa Bay

9781626190023

$21.99

Of the more than 5,200 bridges in the state of Florida, the Sunshine Skyway Bridge, spanning scenic Tampa Bay, is by far the most famous. But the award-winning bridge that residents and tourists cross on a daily basis isn't the first to hold the Skyway name. Numerous versions of the current bridge have stretched across lower Tampa Bay, and each has its own remarkable history. Nevin and Ric Sitler detail the suspension cables, concrete, nuts and bolts and political battles that combined to produce the fantastic history of the Skyway bridges and other historic Tampa Bay crossings. Join this father-and-son team on their journey across the historic bay.

The Sunshine Skyway Bridge: Spanning Tampa Bay

Yates County Chronicles:

9781626193291

$21.99

Western New York's Yates County is perhaps best known for its three Finger Lakes: Canandaigua, Keuka and Seneca. But beyond these shores, the story of Yates County is one of daring suffragettes and strong athletes, victories and defeat and all the bygone days that make up the memories of a community. The county had its own wine tycoon, as well as a renowned writer, Leon Lewis, who left Penn Yan with more than one mystery. Later, a fire destroyed much of Penn Yan in 1872's great conflagration. The women of Yates made their own mark on history and held a suffrage convention just a few years after Seneca Falls. With this collection of the best of his Yates Past "columns, local author Richard MacAlpine reveals the remarkable history and spirit of Yates County."

Streetcars of Florida's First Coast

9781626197077

$23.99

In the late 1800s, a new method to power streetcars ushered Florida's First Coast cities into the modern era. Earlier travelers moved around town on hay burners, but after the very first electric-powered trolley cruised up Jacksonville's Main Street in 1893, railways cropped up throughout the region. When the new railroad terminal opened in 1919, it handled millions of passengers, becoming the hub of the streetcar system and the largest railroad station in the South. With almost sixty miles of track, the Jacksonville Traction Company was the largest streetcar system in Florida. Award-winning author and historian Robert W. Mann chronicles the story behind Florida's bygone streetcar epoch and the dramatic history of city builders, financiers, organized labor, civil rights, fire, fever, nabobs and railway men.

Wicked Portland

9781609495787

$21.99

Tucked away in the northwestern frontier, Portland offered all the best vices: opium dreams, gambling, cheap prostitutes, and drunken brawling. In its early days, Portland was a combination rough-and-ready logging camp and gritty, hard-punching deep-water port town, and as a young city (established in the late 1840s) it developed an international reputation for lawlessness and violence. In the early 1900s, the British and French governments filed formal complaints about Portland to the US state department, and Congressional testimony from the time cites Portland as the worst place in the world for crimping. Today, tours of the alleged Shanghai Tunnels offer Portland visitors a taste of that seedy past.

Wicked St. Louis

9781609492984

$21.99

Watch a duel on Bloody Island from the stern of a river pirate's ship and be glad that Abraham Lincoln did not have to keep his appointment. Venture into a brothel where a madam's grin was filled with diamonds or where Ta Ra Ra Boom de Ay" was hummed for the first time. Witness children forced into labor and aristocrats driven to suicide. Keep company with the gangsters who were a little too "cuckoo" for Al Capone. Visit Wicked St. Louis."

Louisiana Night Before Christmas

9781941879320

$19.99

Down in the swamps of Louisiana, Papa Noël has a big problem. He’s hit his head and forgotten who he is. How will the good boys and girls of Louisiana get any presents this year? Mama Noël puts the animals to work alongside the elves to finish the toys and pack this bayou Santa’s unique sleigh. Working throughout the night, Mama and her krewe travel up and down the state, guided by levee bonfires. Mama’s team of animal helpers are rewarded for their hard work with some delicious local treats left out for Santa and his elves. Louisiana children and their parents will love this new holiday story filled with humorous references to what makes this time of year so special in Louisiana.