The Hidden History of the Main Line:: From Philadelphia to Malvern

Mark Dixon's book of great articles about the Main Line of Philadelphia tells a story of people who have come to this area to maintain a high level of civility and culture for themselves and certainly for their children.This book really dispells the myth that the Main Line is a enclave of the elite. The Super Rich live here but so do others who have chosen to be here in the Welsh Valley that goes back to William Penn Days. On the Western frontier of the current Main Line, Valley Forge gave birth to the American Military while the British controlled Philadelphia. The Main Line that Mark Dixon writes about embodies the spirit of the immigrants who came to these shores to live the truly good life. That spirit remains to this day. I see what happened in the 18thy Century still occuring today.Mark's book portrays with sensitive human insight, a wide ranging cast of men and women who brought their best to create a collection of neigborhoods that offer the tossed salad of American Culture.A must read for anyone who has been touch by the magic of the Main Line Experience!

Good book. No earth shattering stories. You will enjoy if you enjoy reading about this Era!

From the very beginning through the last chapter, Mark Dixon makes absolutely sure you are aware of his political ideology. Whether highlighting stories about four lesbians (to make a point about same sex marriage, which incidentally it wasn't), apologies for Nazis (whom he referred to as "creeps"--you know, like the neighbor you don't like--the one who goes around gassing people), or how the wealthy always exploited the working class, he is not shy about letting you know where he stands.For other chapters, it's as if he took a neutral subject like Anna Maffo or some unknown residents of the Main Line and searched for a leftist, historical connection. I know any history of the Main Line will necessarily contain some of this--it can't be helped with colleges like Haverford and Bryn Mawr in the area, two hotbeds of Marxist thought. But you'd hope it might be written in a more balanced style. But he's a journalist, so there's no chance of that happening.Two stars for some mildly interesting trivia and the chapter on the P&W RR (I am a railroad buff).

Waste of money for mostly tabloid level information

I have always liked the articles published by this author and this book is an addition to his already heavy files published on the Main Line of Philadelphia. It was and still is a rather mysterious locale, and the author has uncovered yet more tales from the highly uncommon place they call The Main Line.