Books by Oscar Kuhns

Jan Hus-also known as John Huss-was one of the early European Reformers. He became a priest in Prague in 1400 and quickly rose to become a popular preacher and the Rector of Prague University. Hus opposed the sale of indulgences and rejected the Church's erroneous teaching on various topics. By his words and actions he posed a threat to the authority of the entire Roman Catholic system. This led to his trial and martyrdom at the stake in 1415, over a century before the Protestant Reformation of Martin Luther. This book examines the life and times of Jan Hus and tells of the dangerous struggles to bring about a reformation in Bohemia. It also traces the history of the Hussites after his execution, when they resisted the military might of the Roman Catholic Church. The history of reformation in Bohemia is fascinating. This book gives an excellent introduction to the story of Jan Hus and these stirring events. It is rounded off by thumbnail biographies of the major characters.

In 1901, Oscar Kuhns completed and published his work on the so-called "Pennsylvania Dutch," which documents their history, immigration, and lifestyle up to the Revolutionary War and beyond. This scholarly classic is considered an authoritative reference for these settlers during this period of American history, and is cited in the Harvard Guide to American History. For any researcher focusing on Pennsylvania or this group of emigrants, this book is an invaluable resource. In 268 pages, Professor Kunhs defines and describes the historical context in Europe leading up to the early Swiss German immigration, the settling of the German Counties of Pennstlvania, their manners and customs, language, literature, education, superstitions and religious life. The author devotes an entire chapter discussing the emigrants' attitudes and contributions in the development of Pennsylvania in particular, and the United States in general, as well as political and military participation at both the state and national level. Professor Kuhns' scholarly effort has resulted in a book that has been used for over 100 years as a primary research source for the "Pennsylvania Dutch." Using many of the tools of his profession, the book contains numerous footnotes, an extensive bibliography, an index, as well as an appendix, which is an excellent guide in acquiring knowledge of German family names, their source, development, and English equivalents during the colonial period.