Gateway to the Clouds by Alan Sweeney and Judy Sweeney – Review and Giveaway

I originally requested Gateway to the Clouds by Alan Sweeney and Judy Sweeney thinking that it was a children’s book.  Once I received the electronic version, I was happily surprised to find out that I was mistaken.  In reality, Gateway to the Clouds is a historic and interesting account of how the short line railroad came to to Moosic Lake.  I’m not usually the type of person who enjoys learning about history.  (I passed American History in college by the skin of my teeth, and only because of some history-able friends and a very intensive study group, and since then I’ve pretty much avoided history at all costs.)  Gateway to the Clouds, however, may have changed my opinion about history literature permanently.

The Sweeneys have managed to portray an accurate description of the short line railroad and still keep the facts interesting and engaging.  According to their publishing company, Tribute Books, Alan Sweeney, a businessman with a love of history, was president of the Lackawanna Historical Society and chairman of the Lackawanna Heritage Valley Authority. In 2005, he co-authored Gateway to the Clouds, The Story of A Short Line Railroad, The Scranton, Dunmore, Moosic Lake Railroad, 1902-1926 with his wife, Judy. That same year, he also co-authored The History of Scranton for Arcadia Press. His one man play Witness at Appomattox debuted in 2006. Alan was a collector of toy soldiers and Africana books. He passed away on December 5, 2008. Judy Sweeney grew up at Moosic Lake. A retired elementary school teacher for the Scranton School District, she now enjoys working for Keystone College in the Education Department. Author of a six-book series on Blending Language Skills, published by Essential Learning Products, two curriculum guides for historic venues in Northeastern Pennsylvania, and a book on Behavioral Management published by International Correspondence Schools, Judy enjoys writing and gardening.  Judy Sweeney resides in the Green Ridge section of Scranton, Pennsylvania and is the mother of two daughters, Rachel and Kara.

Although this isn’t a children’s book like I originally thought, it is an book that many young adults will find interesting.  It is short enough to hold the attention of even the most distracted pre-adolescent (or mommy for that matter), and what kid doesn’t like to learn about the railroad?  It’s a great story about an amazing event in history, and I’m really glad I’ve had the chance to read it and share my experience with you all!