Tales of the Towpath : Adventures Along the Lehigh & Delaware Canal

by Dennis Scholl

Tales of the Towpath is a children's book about a young boy's adventures along Pennsylvania's Lehigh and Delaware canals in the mid-1850s. Authored by Dennis Scholl, the 110-page book follows the travels of Finn Gorman, a young Irish boy whose family emigrates to America in 1846 and becomes involved in eastern Pennsylvania's thriving canal business. Finn's travels on his father's boat - the Belfast Queen - lead readers on a journey into the past, when anthracite coal was fueling unbridled industrial and economic growth in a corner of America that would become regarded as the birthplace of the American Industrial Revolution. The book is richly illustrated by artist Dennis Gerhart and includes foldout maps of the Lehigh and Delaware canals

Paperback

First published February 28, 2010

Reviews

[Marianne Brodman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Author chose perspective of old man looking back. That made it slightly depressing and remorseful, although I know it was done to highlight it was a beloved time in his life.

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent work of historical fiction for children, with strong environmental messages.