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Rippley's latest book reviewed in Minnesota History

By David Gonnerman '90
November 18, 2006

RippleyAlmanac06
Concertina author LaVern Rippley (center) appeared with New Prague, Minn., concertina builder and player Jerry Minar on local PBS station TPT's "Almanac" program last spring.
Professor of German LaVern Rippley's lastest book, The Chemnitzer Concertina, A History and an Accolade (St. Olaf College Press, 2006 -- available from the St. Olaf Bookstore) is reviewed in the fall issue of Minnesota History magazine.

The reviewer writes that Rippley "lovingly" traces the history of the German instrument, which was invented in 1834, and the people who enjoyed it in Europe and the United States. The reviewer calls the book "entertaining" and writes that it "will delight fans of this midwestern musical genre."

Rippley has written a number of books on the German immigration experience, including Noble Women, Restless Men and German-Bohemians: The Quiet Immigrants.

Contact David Gonnerman at 507-786-3315 or gonnermd@stolaf.edu.