Pikeville, KY, sounds a lot like Meadville, PA: both are home to a small liberal arts college. Guessing some themes you’d find in Matt Ferrence’s book resonate here, too.
I know Matt's book well! Meadville's an interesting case (we visited a couple of times when our kid was considering Allegheny) since it's equidistant from Pittsburgh, Cleveland, and Buffalo. Feels like there's one specific Sheetz near Meadville where you start to hear the Great Lakes accent—and by extension (maybe) get into a slightly different relationship to organized labor, extraction, ethnic heritage, internal migration, etc. The arguments about what constitutes Appalachia are fun, but I'd also like to see a nice readable book on post-industrial America's subregions, maybe with some travelogue and history like an Ian Frazier book . . .
I know you know Matt’s book. He thanks you in the Acknowledgements. As for a book on post-industrial subregions, hmmm. Maybe a project for this native of Youngstown and Allegheny alumna to contemplate in her retirement? You’re right: someone ought to seize upon your idea!
Pikeville, KY, sounds a lot like Meadville, PA: both are home to a small liberal arts college. Guessing some themes you’d find in Matt Ferrence’s book resonate here, too.
I know Matt's book well! Meadville's an interesting case (we visited a couple of times when our kid was considering Allegheny) since it's equidistant from Pittsburgh, Cleveland, and Buffalo. Feels like there's one specific Sheetz near Meadville where you start to hear the Great Lakes accent—and by extension (maybe) get into a slightly different relationship to organized labor, extraction, ethnic heritage, internal migration, etc. The arguments about what constitutes Appalachia are fun, but I'd also like to see a nice readable book on post-industrial America's subregions, maybe with some travelogue and history like an Ian Frazier book . . .
I know you know Matt’s book. He thanks you in the Acknowledgements. As for a book on post-industrial subregions, hmmm. Maybe a project for this native of Youngstown and Allegheny alumna to contemplate in her retirement? You’re right: someone ought to seize upon your idea!