Books

393 results
Page 25
Jane Jacobs presenting evidence during her fight to save the West Village. (Photo via Creative Commons/Wikimedia)

Robert Kanigel's 'Eyes on the Street: The Life of Jane Jacobs'

City living through the eyes of its champion

Robert Kanigel's 'Eyes on the Street: The Life of Jane Jacobs' takes a new look at the urban champion. Richard da Silva reviews.

Richard da Silva

Articles 3 minute read
Sister Rosetta Tharpe wasn't afraid of the dark. (Photo by Sumlin via Creative Commons/Flickr)

'Devil’s Music, Holy Rollers and Hillbillies,' by James A. Cosby

The Lord's path to the devil's music

James A. Cosby's new book digs back into rock's history to find out what influenced its influencers. The answers are surprising. Craig Peters reviews.
Craig Peters

Craig Peters

Articles 4 minute read
A reuben sandwich, Katz's Deli style. (Photo via Creative Commons/Wikimedia)

The Gershman Y presents 'The Evolution of Jewish Food'

Authors Roger Horowitz and Ted Merwin kibitz about noshing

The Gershman Y's 'The Evolution of Jewish Food,' was not the sort of discussion one should attend on an empty stomach. Stephen Silver explains.
Stephen Silver

Stephen Silver

Articles 4 minute read
In <em>'Angels Burning,'</em> secrets rise like Centralia's smoke. (Photo by Cole Young via Creative Commons/Flickr)

Tawni O'Dell's newest novel, 'Angels Burning'

Mine fires of the mind

Novelist Tawni O'Dell set her newest book at the site of a long-burning coal fire that's not under Centralia. Rick Soisson wonders why.
Rick Soisson

Rick Soisson

Articles 3 minute read
All hail our golden-slippered overlords. (Photo via Creative Commons/Wikimedia)

Michael Swanwick's 'In the Drift' released as an ebook

These mummers are drunk...On power

There's a post-apocalyptic sci-fi novel from 1985 about Three Mile Island and the Mummers. It's now available as an ebook. Yes, you should give it to everyone you know in Philly as a holiday gift.
Tom Purdom

Tom Purdom

Articles 3 minute read
(Photo courtesy of Gallery Books)

Amy Schumer's 'The Girl with the Lower Back Tattoo'

Inside Amy Schumer's memoir

Comedian Amy Schumer visited the Free Library of Philadelphia to discuss her new book. Stephen Silver discusses that and the contradictions of her persona.
Stephen Silver

Stephen Silver

Articles 4 minute read
"Step into my parlor," said Roz Warren to the library patron. (Photo by Pierre Vignau via Creative Commons/Flickr)

Ode on the Bala Cynwyd Library's Summer Reading Club

Reading for prizes

Every summer, libraries host reading clubs for kids and adults. Humorist Roz Warren is taking one for the team and becoming summer reading's very own hype woman.
Roz Warren

Roz Warren

Articles 4 minute read
Choose wisely! (Photo via Pixabay.com)

Readercon 27's panelists ask "Which book would you save?"

What would you save from the flames?

At Boston's Readercon sci-fi convention, Tom Purdom picked one book to save from 'Fahrenheit 451's' bonfire. Now he wants to know your pick.
Tom Purdom

Tom Purdom

Articles 4 minute read

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It could have happened. (Illustration via Creative Commons/Wikimedia)

Marla R. Miller's biography 'Betsy Ross and the Making of America'

Betsy Ross, defense contractor

Betsy Ross may not have made the first American flag, but Marla R. Miller's 'Betsy Ross and the Making of America' illuminates the history of the artisans and shopkeepers who built the United States.
Tom Purdom

Tom Purdom

Articles 4 minute read
British spy John Andre, after the party. (Illustration via Creative Commons/Wikimedia)

'Wicked Philadelphia: Sin in the City of Brotherly Love,' by Thomas H. Keels

William Penn and prostitutes: All the news that's unfit to print

Rick Soisson reviews 'Wicked Philadelphia: Sin in the City of Brotherly Love,' Thomas Keels's 2010 catalog of our city's historic scandals and scoundrels.
Rick Soisson

Rick Soisson

Articles 4 minute read