The Susquehanna

by Carl Carmer, Stow Wengenroth (Illustrator)

This is the 48th volume of the Rivers of America Series. The Susquehanna runs through New York, Pennsylvania and Maryland. History and folklore of the river and valley. Carmer was considered on of America's most popular writers during the 40's and 50's.

493 pages, Hardcover

About the author

Carl Cramer is a former professor of English, columnist, and assistant editor of Vanity Fair and Theatre Arts Monthly. In more than thirty years of writing he has produced an impressive list of books, including history, historical novels, poetry and juveniles.

Reviews

[Trudy Miner · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book for younger readers tells the history of the Susquehanna River which runs from New York to the Chesapeake Bay. The book starts with the earliest English settlers and their interactions with the native populations to the mid-20th century. Since it's written for children, many of the details of some of the worst events, especially with the native populations, are only mentioned but not in detail. The authors include reprints of paintings, drawings, and black and white photographs are included. All in all, it's a good book by authors who have written books of major rivers around the world.

I grew up along the Susquehanna. It was part of my life until I moved to Florida 31 years ago. The book was published in 1964 and probably needs updating as I know many things about the Susquehanna that have changed. Still, I recommend it for anyone who wants to know more about this great river.

[Andrew Weitzel · Rating 5 out of 5]

A history of human settlement on the Susquehanna, from John Smith's first encounters with the Susquehannocks through to the present day (well, the present day of the author, at least). Facts and folklore make up the true history of the Susquehanna valley, and it's all really entertaining stuff. America really dodged a bullet, by the way: a chapter is devoted to how close Columbia, PA came to being the capital of the US.