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The Quaker State, the Keystone State, the Coal State-Pennsylvania is called all of these. But we like to call it the Weird State, because there's enough strange stuff going on here to fill an encyclopedia or, better yet, a book appropriately called Weird Pennsylvania. And who better to chronicle this state's roadside oddities, ancient mysteries, ghosts, and bizarre beats than Matt Lake, who, just like Benjamin Franklin, isn't from our state at all but sure has it in his bones. From the time show more he first arrived here last century, Matt has traveled thousands of miles, searching out Pennsylvania's best kept secrets and oddest legends. Scuttling about by every means available-except maybe the horse-drawn vehicles favored by some of our more famous citizens-and with notebook and camera in hand, Matt has gamely entered haunted houses, trekked lesser-traveled roads, discreetly photographed shoe-shaped houses, and made his way warily through abandoned mental institutions. Sheer force of will stopped him from buying a heart-shaped bathtub at the Mount Airy Lodge auction, but he did explore the wreck of the place so that we, admirers of the weird, could see the sad demise of another bit of Pennsylvania strangeness. So turn the pages and see the Statue of Liberty in the Dauphin Narrows, the dead and buried Corvette near Irwin, the tiny town of Midgetville, the Ape Boy of Chester, and Resurrection Mary in Schnecksville. Traipse through ghostly Eastern State Penitentiary, listen to the Screaming Lady in Fort Mifflin, and sympathize with Mrs. Snell, who was rained on by mud, lots of mud. Swim with the Monster of Lake Erie, bravely wander down Devil's Road, chat with the Green Man of Pittsburgh, and, if you dare, sit beneath Skull Tree. It's all here, it's all for you, it's all...very weird. A brand-new entry in the best-selling Weird U. S. series, Weird Pennsylvania is packed with all the info about the Quaker State that your history teacher never taught you. So travel down our state's highways and byways with Matt by your side. It's a great adventure. And we promise: It's a journey you'll never forget. Book jacket. show lessTags
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Member Reviews
First, there was "Weird New Jersey." But we Pa. residents knew that our local tales and legends could rival any Pine Barrens camper's story about the Jersey Devil. As if to confirm this, the "Weird" team assembled Pennsylvania's most memorable quirks in a most entertaining book. The books covers oddities, legends, rumors, monsters, aliens, gates to hell, ghosts... Pa. is big, but who knew there was room for all this crazy stuff? Reading this book will have you itching for a road trip.
Featured people and places get the personal touch through brief personal accounts from those who've been there. Some accounts sound more reliable than others, but it's left up to the reader to make judgments.
My edition is a few years old, and some things show more are a little out of date, most notably the deserted mental hospital known as "Byberry" is now torn down to make way for condos. But the piece on its sordid history is a good account of how spooky the place was, and how it became a mecca for the homeless and urban explorers.
For those who love reading about weird stuff, or for Pennsylvania residents who will cackle at recognition of local oddities, this book is sure to please. show less
Featured people and places get the personal touch through brief personal accounts from those who've been there. Some accounts sound more reliable than others, but it's left up to the reader to make judgments.
My edition is a few years old, and some things show more are a little out of date, most notably the deserted mental hospital known as "Byberry" is now torn down to make way for condos. But the piece on its sordid history is a good account of how spooky the place was, and how it became a mecca for the homeless and urban explorers.
For those who love reading about weird stuff, or for Pennsylvania residents who will cackle at recognition of local oddities, this book is sure to please. show less
Interesting book. Learned a lot about the state I'm from. Looking forward to a couple of road trips to see some of the weird stuff in person.
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- Original title
- Weird Pennsylvania
- Alternate titles
- Weird Pennsylvania: Your Travel Guide to Pennsylvania's Local Legends and Best Kept Secrets
- Important places
- Pennsylvania, USA
- Original language
- English
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- 255
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- Reviews
- 4
- Rating
- (3.91)
- Languages
- English
- Media
- Paper
- ISBNs
- 3
- ASINs
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