Wheeling: A Brief History

by George Fetherling

Most books about Wheeling and the Upper Ohio Valley focus only on particular periods.  A Brief History  differs in being an accessible survey of the city s nearly 250-year existence. It not only narrates Wheeling's rise from frontier outpost in the late 18th century to wealthy industrial center in the 20th, but brings the subject up-to-date with analysis of the economic decline that plagues such American communities in the early 21st. George Fetherling puts Wheeling's history in the context of larger forces at work in the world. He shows how indigenous culture, European colonialism, the Industrial Revolution, slavery, organized labor and mass immigration all shaped the identity of West Virginia's "only experiment in urban living." It is a colorful story graphically told, replete with warriors, politicians, entrepreneurs, gangsters, and humanitarians.

107 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2008

About the author

Douglas George Fetherling (born January 1, 1949) is a Canadian writer, poet, novelist, biographer, artist, and cultural commentator. One of the most prolific figures in Canadian letters, he has written or edited more than fifty books.
He previously published under the name Douglas Fetherling until 1999, and thereafter under the name George Fetherling, switching to his middle name to honor his father George, after recovering from life-saving surgery for the same medical condition that had killed his father.
One of his most popular works is Travels by Night: A Memoir, which recreates leading personalities and events in the fabled Canadian cultural renaissance of 1965–75.
Fetherling is also a visual artist. He lives in Vancouver.

Reviews

[Steve · Rating 4 out of 5]

A concise-yet-comprehensive look at the history of Wheeling, WV (exactly what one might want from a "brief history"). Impeccably researched and written with a subtle, wry sense of humor. A very enjoyable read.