Book Recommendation Pittsburgh area (Aliquippa, Beaver Falls: how much, high school, live)

[Katarina Witt]

My daughter heard a podcast about this book and got it for me:
"Playing Through the Whistle, Steel, Football, and an American Town" by S. L. Price, who writes for Sports Illustrated.

It's about Aliquippa, Beaver County and high school football from a historical perspective. I'm not through with it yet (she gave it to me Friday), but it's definitely worth a read.

[Pitt Chick]

I am from Aliquippa, and I am also reading it now.

The history of J&L was frightening to me, that my grandparents lived through that.
My grandfathers never spoke about their jobs. It was left at the Wye.

[Katarina Witt]

^^I'm from Beaver Falls, wasn't real familiar with Aliquippa growing up, mostly just knew they were football rivals.

My dad worked for US Steel, Ellwood works in Ellwood City. He too never talked about work at home, except sometimes to relate a funny story.

[Pitt Chick]

Maternal = J&L
Paternal = American Bridge

[Geeo]

I saw the review for this book in the Sunday paper. I love reading about local history, but not a football fan. How much does the book focus on football compared with the actual town and steel mill? What I don't want to read about is actual football games, but if it's written in the context of how football and the town developed a distinct culture, I could go for it.

[Katarina Witt]

Originally Posted by Geeo

I saw the review for this book in the Sunday paper. I love reading about local history, but not a football fan. How much does the book focus on football compared with the actual town and steel mill? What I don't want to read about is actual football games, but if it's written in the context of how football and the town developed a distinct culture, I could go for it.

I'm about halfway through. It's way more the latter. There are a few descriptions of a few plays in a few football games. Lots about the steel industry and culture.

[Geeo]

Thanks, just what I was looking for. Sounds like a good read for me. I was always fascinated how J&L built the town in "plans" for different ethnic groups.

[Katarina Witt]

Originally Posted by Geeo

Thanks, just what I was looking for. Sounds like a good read for me. I was always fascinated how J&L built the town in "plans" for different ethnic groups.

Yes. Way different than Beaver Falls was set up.

[Geeo]

There is also a great paperback history about Aliquippa with hundreds of pictures from its founding and the building of the mill. They have them at Barnes & Noble and online, I'm sure.