Through his thorough research and engaging writing style, Oliver's The Birth of the State Police was able to fulfill the difficult task of presenting a prehistory to Lieutenant Colonel Philip Conti's The Pennsylvania State Police.

Thomas Memmi, historian, Pennsylvania State Police Museum

Willard Oliver has written a robust account of the formation of the first state police in the country deeply rooted in 19th and early 20th century labor conflicts across Pennsylvania. This important work offers a critically overlooked perspective of violent labor struggles, riots, and massacres from the position of state and national governments and those charged with maintaining law and order. Oliver provides ample evidence of violence perpetrated by both union members and company operatives and shifting public sentiment and sympathies as coal strikes had dramatic effects on living conditions both in mining communities locally and nationally.

Bode Morin, PhD, director, Anthracite Heritage Museum