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Michael Bunker
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Pennsylvania 1 Kindle Edition

by Michael Bunker (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.2 4.2 out of 5 stars 576 ratings
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Pennsylvania is a short story, 16,500 words (about forty five pages,) and it is the first in the Pennsylvania series.

Jedidiah Troyer is now a traveler. He has signed up for an emigration program that is colonizing the planet of New Pennsylvania. He just wants to start a farm and homestead on affordable land in a new Amish community. Space pioneering isn't as easy as it sounds when you're "plain." Things might work out for Jed... if he can ever get to his new home.
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  1. Book 1 of 5
    Pennsylvania
  2. Print length
    101 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Sticky notes
    On Kindle Scribe
  5. Publication date
    December 12, 2013
  6. File size
    372 KB
  7. Page Flip
    Enabled
  8. Word Wise
    Enabled
  9. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
  10. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

Review

"Pennsylvania is a brilliant tale of extra-planetary colonization. With parallels to the European settlement of the America's, Michael Bunker draws on his Amish roots and lifestyle to portray that tenuous balance between mankind and its machines. He also knows better than most the difficulty of surviving on civilization's frontier. I daresay the wait for the next great Amish science fiction author may be finally at an end." ~ HUGH HOWEY, New York Times Bestselling Author of Wool, Sand, and Peace in Amber.

From the Author

Pennsylvania 1 is a short story, 16,500 words (about eighty eight print pages,) and it is the first in the  Pennsylvania series which is a five part collection that will makes up the Pennsylvania novel. The completed novel (Omnibus) will be available on April 29th, 2014.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B00C79B08I
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Refugio Publishing; First edition (December 12, 2013)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ December 12, 2013
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 372 KB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 101 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.2 4.2 out of 5 stars 576 ratings

About the author

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Michael Bunker

Michael Bunker

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Michael Bunker is a USA Today Bestselling author, off-gridder, husband, and father of four children. He lives with his family in Central Texas, where he reads and writes books...and occasionally tilts at windmills. In November of 2015, Variety Magazine announced that Michael had sold a film/tv option for his bestselling novel Pennsylvania to Jorgensen Pictures. JP is currently developing Pennsylvania for production into a feature film. As of May 2019 Patrick Tatopoulos is slated to direct the Pennsylvania feature film.

Michael has been called the "father" of the Amish/Scifi genre but that isn't all that he writes. He is the author of several popular and acclaimed works of dystopian sci-fi, including the Amazon top 20 overall bestselling Amish Sci-fi thriller Pennsylvania, the groundbreaking dystopian vision Hugh Howey called "a brilliant tale of extra-planetary colonization." He also has written the epic post-apocalyptic WICK series, the Amish/Robot thriller Brother, Frank, as well as many nonfiction works, including the non-fiction Amazon overall top 30 bestseller Surviving Off Off-Grid. Michael was commissioned by Amazon.com through their Kindle Worlds and Kindle Serials programs to write the first ever commissioned novel set in the World of Kurt Vonnegut's Cat's Cradle.

In late April of 2015, Michael released his novel Brother, Frank to fantastic reviews, and Brother, Frank is currently the target of film/tv option negotiations.

Michael has been featured on NPR, HuffPost Live, Molly Green, and Ozy.com, along with hundreds of print, radio, and podcast interviews.

On November 21st, 2014 Tales From Pennsylvania, a fanfic short story anthology featuring 10 top speculative fiction authors writing fanfic short stories in the world of Michael Bunker's Pennsylvania, was released in paperback and e-book format. More than twenty authors have been (or will be) writing fanfic in the world of MB's Pennsylvania.

Readers who subscribe to Michael's newsletter get free copies of his books, usually before they're published: http://michaelbunker.com/newsletter

Customer reviews

4.2 out of 5 stars
4.2 out of 5
576 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

M. Faulkner
5.0 out of 5 stars I'm convinced!
Reviewed in the United States on February 15, 2014
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Let me start by saying my 5-star rating refers to the content of the book itself (more on this later). In a Facebook conversation with the author (how cool is that??), I mentioned how the initial idea of Amish Science-Fiction did not necessarily appeal to my personal reading style. If I'm being completely introspective about that statement, it's due to a combination of my lack of knowledge of the Amish, or Plain lifestyle, as well as the "questionably" interesting concept of said life-style in a science fiction setting. I couldn't be more wrong! Well, I'm still not knowledgeable about the lifestyle, but the story is amazing. The characters are well drawn-out and interesting; the writing and dialogue are excellent and I'm left wanting more. Even though the first two (possibly three) had been released already, my introduction to the story and characters was by the free inclusion in Michael Bunker's Dunes over Danvar (do yourself a favor and pick this up as well!), set in Hugh Howey's world of Sand. I'm excited to see this series to its conclusion, and if I'm not wrong the plan is for an Oklahoma follow-up?

Now, back to the purpose of my rating. Again, my rating refers to the content of the book, not any misconceptions about how the book is presented on Amazon. The rating system is very simple. It's based on content and your enjoyment of it. Not the number of pages, or the fact that you have to wait for the next one, or any other preconceived notion that the reader may have about how the product is presented and sold on the website.

Finally, independent publishing is really taking the world by storm and I'm glad that I could be here for it. Never have authors been more available to their readers (via email, Facebook, traditional mail, etc.) and I hope to see this trend continue!
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David A. Kelly
4.0 out of 5 stars Good start to a story, but only the start
Reviewed in the United States on February 17, 2014
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So now I have to go and find the follow-up volumes to continue the story.

This is a futuristic SF based on earth with an Amish protagonist (the first person POV character) about to emigrate to another galaxy. There are allusions to a post-war Earth that's not in great shape, an autocratic security force, and a technology level that has progressed from current day but not in any very surprising direction.

The first-person POV's voice is pretty good and his technological naivety and much longer term perspective offer a useful way to explain the situation to the reader. His plans are quickly and unexpectedly disrupted by strangers as he is drawn into what seems to be a mysterious conspiracy. The prose flows well and is fairly simple: no torturous over-writing but no striking turns of phrase either. Dialogue and character interactions are ok so far. You have to suspend disbelief on the plot turn until you learn more about it.

Be warned: this is a very short an incomplete read. It feels like just the opening 2-3 chapters of normal length novel in this genre.
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MDStien
5.0 out of 5 stars Beautifully Unique!
Reviewed in the United States on April 8, 2013
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When I started reading Micheal Bunker's works just last summer I never imagined I'd see him set such a startling pace for self-publishing and writing. He seems to be pumping out new novels almost faster than I can read them! Though even now I'm still shocked to see him jumping into the sci-fi category, especially in such a unique way!

Amish Sci-Fi has to my knowledge never been done before, sure I've read about stories featuring space Amish, but never a story directly about them! The premise is just so fresh, so interesting, so innovative! I was at first mildly skeptical such a feat could be pulled off, but I was gladly proven wrong!

The story shows us a startlingly near future world with internet in peoples heads, flying buses, mood controling drugs, and interplanetary colonization! This all through the lense of one simple Amish lad who seeks to go out and like his ancestors long ago colonize new lands (or worlds in this case) and live a simple life of community with his people and God.

Unfortunately things do not go quite as planned! Read it and find out how!

The story is very short, but action packed non-the-less. Easily read in one sitting it provides a nice little distraction in your afternoon, or even on a lunch break! That's how short the piece is if you're a speed reader! I reccommend you pick it up for just how brief it is and because I guarentee once you've read it you'll be begging for more!
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One Reviewer
3.0 out of 5 stars Amish + Space Travel = Originality + Unexpected
Reviewed in the United States on June 8, 2014
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Overall, I'd say that this book has an appealing plot idea, but it is seriously underdeveloped.
Jed is "likable" as a MC, yet his voice is told too much by the narrator for me to sync into his 'individual' perspective.
I think that because this segment is 100% world building, the narrative was too heavy. Making it difficult to tell the difference between the author's voice and the "uniqueness" of Jed's thoughts.
Although in all honesty, I've never been a fan of third person perspectives. I feel that they put a wall up between me (the reader) and the characters.
I didn't care for the ending either. I supposed that the author was trying to go for a 'cliffhanger' ending. However, stopping a story (book) mid-scene is not a cliffhanger. Cliffhangers resolve the current stories plot/crisis and then starts a teaser for the next installment. This episode ended without any 'resolutions' at all. It just sort of stopped.
I sat on the fence for a while trying to decide how many stars to give this book. In the end, I decided that three stars fit best. On Amazon three stars means "It was OK".
Like I said above, the story "idea" is appealing. As a series it may blossom into a better read, but the writing style does not work for me.
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Top reviews from other countries

Sandra Richardson
5.0 out of 5 stars Left me wanting more!
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 30, 2016
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This series was recommended to me by another author after I read and enjoyed his book. As Phillip Harris’s book The Girl in the City is set in the society/world created in the Pennsylvania Series by Michael Bunker. So I decided to give reading the first part of the series a go. I am quite fascinated with the Amish culture so that was another point that drew me to the book.
I was quite quickly drawn in and my attention was definitely held throughout this book. I really didn’t want to put this book down and read very late into the night on a few occasions.
The cover depicts quite a barren looking isolated landscape, and there’s the Amish carriage on the winding road.
The genres I’d personally say this book falls into are dystopian, and science fiction with some post apocalyptic aspects thrown in as well. It will be interesting to see how the Amish featured in the book cope with the genre aspects within it. On one hand their plain ways, and self sufficiency should make it easier for them to do without technology, however on the other hand there are science fiction parts in the book so how will they deal with what technology may be forced upon them. Will they continue to isolate themselves and keep to their own kind or will they reach out and help the non plain/Amish community.
So the actual book is a great introduction to what I personally hope will be a fascinating series. The setting is sometime in the future with advanced technology such as airbuses and the colonisation of other planets than earth. Earth has become over populated with less and less land to be purchased and worked. The Amish have to an extent been exempt from certain rules in this society such as having compulsory TRID’s fitted. TRID’s are an identity chip that is installed and does away with the old identification, passport papers. The Amish went to court and won their appeal against having them having them compulsory fitted like the English and rest of the society. The Amish also do not use the new currency that is placed on a card. This system is explained in detail within the book and was originally called Unilets which were derived from LETS. LETS = Local Exchange Trading System. The English keep their LETS on a card and pay for things electronically. Which to be totally honest is not a million miles away from our own contactless credit card system. Another popular technology that is widely available is B.I.C.E. which is a Beta Internet Chip Enhancement or as Jed refers to it as the “Internet in your head”. Not everyone is rich enough to pay for this chip and some still have to go to a place called an “Insta” where they can access the internet. Quadrille is a popular, and legal drug that the English seem to take in large quantities on a regular basis.
The book begins with the main character of eighteen year old Jedidiah Troyer (Jed) who is attending to the chore of milking a cow on his family’s farm with his fourteen year old brother Amos Troyer. Amos asks for what must be the hundredth time if Jed will tell him about the journey he will be beginning later today. Jed is a patient older brother and it seems he is secretly pleased to tell his younger brother what he wants to know over and over again. Jed goes on to explain the whole journey or as they call it a pilgrimage and the colonisation process too..
Jed is going to inhabit a new planet called New Pennsylvania which is almost the same size as earth, and lots of the Amish people are making this move, which when you think of the Amish culture means that even they are having to adapt to continue their way of life.
Saying that the whole trip does not go to plan is somewhat of an understatement! First there seems to be something wrong with the amount of LETS on Jed’s card but a Transport station operative conveys that he should not question this, so he rather naively just goes with the whole situation that becomes more strange as his pilgrimage progresses. The book covers the small mindedness and discrimination of the English as Jed is bullied on one of the airbuses he travels on. It is nothing for them but when another English man named Jerry comes to his aid he feels warmed by the actions, not all are prejudiced against the Amish.
Unfortunately for them it seems that Jed and Jerry have been unknowingly pulled into a much larger plan of resistance against the government. They also discover that New Pennsylvania id not as idyllic as they have been told.
I love the character of Jed, the brave and curious eighteen year willing to leave everything he knows and loves at a chance of working hard and eventually purchasing his own land. Jed is described as being a younger version of his father who believes in hard work. Working on the farm has made Jed a strong, lean and sturdy man, prepared to work hard for the prospect of a new life. He has long term plans, hoping that when old enough his younger brother will come out to join him on his land in New Pennsylvania. I did also like the younger character of Amos, and hope to see him, featured somewhere in the future of the series. Jed shows he is adventurous going to a new country but that he dearly loves and will miss his family and their love. There are some quite poignant, emotional moments within this book. One is the moment when Jed thinks back to the old barn window he broke when he was younger and the punishment his father gave him was to fix the window. Jed did fix it, just not with glass. He found a tin can and flattened it our filling the gap the glass breaking had created.
I loved reading this book and can’t wait to read even more of it soon! I really liked the mix of the society and cultures. I could go on and on about this book! Oh wow! what a place to end! What a cliff hanger! loved it, loved it, loved it! I want to read more... much more of this series.
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D. MacMullin
5.0 out of 5 stars Heinlein! You're back! Phew!
Reviewed in Canada on October 21, 2013
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When I was a kid, I read every book Heinlien wrote. This was sad, because I had to re-read it all as an adult, since he had passed. Orson Scott Card was my only other alternative...until Frankowski then Duncan. That's it. Then Howey came...I danced in the rain like a kid again. Then came bunker. Bunker has filled the niche that I've been missing for so long. You know what else? He's honest. His books are affordable. Every time is read him, I get up smarter.
One day, Bunker will stop writing, and I will be back where I started...but until then, I am revelling in his works.
How does such incredible talent miss the publishing world's grasp? I am so grateful for the affordable prices on his books, and the hours of wonderful joy I have had. Pennsylvania is a quick read...but you will never forget it. And you will wake up the next day, and never log on the internet the same way again. This book is going to all my friends. It may become a movie.
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Bill E
4.0 out of 5 stars Amish SCI-FI
Reviewed in Canada on September 30, 2019
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Amish and sci-fi is a great contradiction to read about. In Pennsylvania 1 we are introduced to Jed, an Amish character. As the story develops we see Jed, ignorant of technology, forced into an intriguing techie revolution on a colonized planet.
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Amazon Customer
4.0 out of 5 stars Four Stars
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 11, 2014
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quite a good read
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Outtrip Gal
5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic twists
Reviewed in Canada on September 16, 2014
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Okay, he got me with "Amish science fiction." Way to break out of the mold! And the twists were fantastic! I was disappointed that it's only a sampler (which holds its own as a fabulous short story) so I'll have to go buy the rest!
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