The Morganza, 1967: Life in a Legendary Reform School Paperback – Illustrated, September 16, 2009

The story was well written. As someone who grew up near Morganza and later worked on those grounds when it was Western Center I was shocked at parts of this story. This is not for the faint of heart.

This book is very moving. I am a 8th generation native of the area and could feel a sadness in the air when I parked my car for the interview. I had no idea what Morganza was, only a road by McGraw Edison, and the former site or Jefferson College which is now part of wnj. I put a wreath at the grave yard.

I grew up in Pittsburgh and as teenagers we would drive by this compound and wonder if the rumors were true. Every one my age had a fear of Morganza and what would come of us if we were sent there. It was known as a reform school then in the sixties. The author details first hand experiences in the facility in the mid-sixties and validates the rumors and stories we heard about this place. The book is an easy read and moves along at a quick pace. If you know of this place, this is must read. I'm not sure if it would be good book for people who are not familiar with the place. It has been torn down and replaced by a strip mall, but had its mystique in the day.John Harr

A interesting read. I was pleasantly surprised as I thought it would read more like a flat historical account, and it actually was lively and more personal.

I grew up in Canonsburg, PA and Morganza was a place to be feared. If we were bad, my parents or grandparents would say, "If you don't behave, we're going to send you to Morganza." The story presented here opened my eyes to the horrors that awaited young men and women who broke the law or went "astray" back when I was a boy in the 1960's.As a native of the area, there were some things I found irritating and insulting about the author's attitude (especially since I also lived in the author's home town of Morgantown, WV). His writing style does pull you in, but there is the thought that much of what he uses as "dialog" is somewhat fictionalized.

I visited this place many years ago. Always wanted to know more about it. Great book

My daughter and I literally stumbled upon the Morganza while staying close by on a family trip. After "touring" the vacated administration building, our curiosity was piqued and we just had to know more about it. This great book gave us plenty of background as well as a great narrative about life in this foreboding place and the people that stayed there. Once I started reading, couldn't put it down until it was finished.

I spend a year in Morganza as a incorrigible youth from 19651966, so I know what David Stuart wrote was the truth.