Path of a pioneer: A centennial history of the Wisconsin Electric Power Company

by John Gurda

This rare and vintage book is a perfect addition to any bibliophile's collection

Hardcover

Published January 1, 1996

About the author

John Gurda is a Milwaukee-born writer and historian who has been studying his hometown since 1972. He is the author of nineteen books, on subjects ranging from life insurance to Frank Lloyd Wright and from heavy industries to historic cemeteries. The Making of Milwaukee is Gurda’s most ambitious effort. With 450 pages, more than 500 illustrations, and a cast of thousands, it is the first feature-length history of the community published since 1948. Milwaukee Public Television premiered an Emmy Award-winning documentary series based on the book in 2006.


In addition to his work as an author, Gurda is a lecturer, tour guide, and local history columnist for the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. He holds a B.A. in English from Boston College and an M.A. in Cultural Geography from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Gurda is an eight-time winner of the Wisconsin Historical Society’s Award of Merit.

Reviews

[Mary M · Rating 5 out of 5]

I couldn’t put this book down. The history of the company and turn of the century Milwaukee was fascinating. So much to be learned about history repeating itself in many ways. The evolution of the company from street car to powerhouse is a reminder how quickly things can change.

[Jeramey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Learned more about We Energies than I previously thought possible. Gurda does a better job earlier in the book with history of the company and streetcar system. Later in the book it's clear that the utility is his client and he uses the kid gloves.

Twenty years out of date at this point, it could use an update to cover recent times. The old stuff is still just as valid as the day Gurda wrote it.