From mayors and mummers to tap dancers and gamblers, South Philly has it all. This quintessential Philadelphia neighborhood boasts a complicated history of ethnic strife alongside community solidarity and, for good measure, some of the best bakeries in town. Among its many famous people South Philadelphia claims Marian Anderson, Frankie Avalon, Mayor Frank Rizzo, Temple Owl's coach John Chaney, Larry Fine of the Three Stooges, and "Loving" soap opera actress Lisa Peluso. For South Philadelphians, whether they stay or leave, the neighborhood is always happy to give you their opinions, and in this book they talk about their favorite subject to Murray Dubin, award winning journalist at the Philadelphia Inquirer, who also called South Philly home. Music and the arts are part of everyday life. Baritone Elliott Tessler says, "I'm not a celebrity, I'm a minor curiosity. If Pavarotti lived here, he would just be a minor curiosity, and probably because he was fat more than because he sang." Jean DiElsi remembers finding work in 1943 as a cashier at a diner that would become a South Philly landmark. "It was the only diner around and it was open 24 hours. If you went to dances, everybody would go to the Melrose Diner afterwards...No, there was no Mel or Rose. it was named after a can of tomatoes. In addition to being Philadelphia's first neighborhood, South Philly is the oldest ethnically and racially mixed big-city neighborhood in the nation. Catherine Williams remembers growing up black on Hoffman Street, "We had everything. We had the Jews, we had Italians, we had the blacks, we even had a Portuguese family. You never knew there was a color thing back then. I was the only black in my class at Southwark, but you never knew. In the third, fourth grade, some of those Italian boys was big, but you would have thought they were brothers to me." These are some of the people and the opinions that make up South Philadelphia and Murray Dubin will take you on a resident's tour of the ultimate city neighborhood. But for every interview, there's also a lot of history. And Dubin provides an historical examination that spans 300 years, from Thomas Jefferson living in South Philadelphia in 1793 to the burning of Palumbo's in 1994. Whether you're a South Philadelphian yourself, or just want to understand the South Philly phenomenon this book is a must. Author note: Murray Dubinwas born in South Philadelphia and is a reporter for the Philadelphia Inquirer.

To me, growing up in South Philly was truly a wonderful and great experience. I really believe that you must have lived there yourself to really understand exactly what I am saying and why. You see, to me South Philly is unlike anywhere else, and I will try to make you understand why. South Philadelphia is a place of living life to the fullest and really appreciating it. There were wonderful foods, fast cars, beautiful girls, and really good deals for things that supposedly just happened to drop off the backs of trucks, love, caring for others and their situations, and much more.

Fictionalized memoir which explores the dynamics of being raised in a declining Southwest Philadelphia neighborhood. Pint-sized and four-eyed, little Jimmy Morris is near the bottom of the food chain in his working class "streetcar suburb" of Kings Cross. He's a dreamer, schemer, schoolyard scrapper, secret lover of books, and classroom clown ... a kid you can't decide whether to hug or to slap. Meanwhile, the conformity of the 1950s is yielding to those turbulent '60s. Yes, the times they definitely were a changin' with Kings Cross in the eye of the societal storm.

How and why does one become a neurosurgeon? Dr. Anthony Chiurco delineates a life in medicine that moves from childhood on the rough streets of south Philadelphia to success in a career that is as stressful as it is profoundly rewarding. He discusses his early programming by the Catholic Church and the eventual dismissal of organized religion and his path to atheism. How life on Earth originated is discussed broadly as well as on the molecular level with a friendly explanation for the reader uneducated in the biological sciences. Whether discussing life in an Italian-American family, or evaluating current topics such as medical malpractice, insurance companies, or government policy, he presents his opinions candidly and without apology. His experiences and preoccupation with sailing and the sport of rowing are discussed with earned pride and affection. Both a celebration and a cautionary tale from a contemporary healer.

Philadelphia Neighborhoods, a compendium of historic views of the major residential sections of Philadelphia, presents a snapshot into the past when old neighborhoods were not so old and when currently established ones were as yet new construction. Through the medium of postcards, readers are invited back to an era before automobiles dominated the streets, before many city roads were paved, and when the local grocery store was not located in a mall. Using chapters divided into subsections that detail the various regions of North, South, Southwest, and West Philadelphia, as well as the "new" Northeast Philadelphia, the author chronicles the vibrant, diverse communities that have helped shape the city's rich history.

"Gravy wars ... humorously describ[es] the culinary competiveness that runs deep in the heart of South Philadelphia Italians. You'll laugh out loud as you read the truth about Italian traditions and superstitions. And you'll discover a slew of scrumptious original recipes that'll help you win your own kitchen competitions. Enjoy!"--

For many Jewish immigrants to America, Philadelphia's row houses provided an instant community of neighbors where they were able to combine the traditions of the Old World with new American ideals. In their flight to a new land and a new life, Jewish immigrants found a place to call home in South Philadelphia. This unprecedented collection of images celebrates the people and places of this community, from their struggles to their triumphs and the family bonds that provided their strength along the way. The Jewish Community of South Philadelphia is a tribute to tradition and pride that will serve as a valuable tool in teaching the history of Jewish immigrants in America. Join Allen Meyers in this exploration of the past that will be enjoyed for generations to come.

Logan Cavaliere just wanted to spend the rest of his high school life safe and away from the weekends of drinking. However after a break up, and enticed by his friends, he is brought out of his short lived "retirement" and right into the middle of a neighborhood war between The Whitman Warriors and the Pennsport Boys, where Logan must choose a side. Meanwhile the annual Mummers Parade on New Year's Day is fast approaching. The parade will bring together the neighborhoods of South Philly together for an entire night of partying and drinking. On New Year's Day, a battle seems inevitable. South Philly Castles is a story of brotherhood in dark times. Join Logan in his journey to find happiness in the midst of neighborhood war.

Discover What Made Baseball America’s Pastime #1 New Release in Baseball Statistics Baseball Memories & Dreams celebrates the iconic moments, heroes, and trends that define baseball for its millions of fans This compendium of baseball writing covers it all—recollections of Hall of Famers and narratives from top baseball writers; stories on the rich iconography and history of the game across the full diversity of players, teams, and leagues; and reflections on the way America’s pastime has shaped our culture. Selected from the Baseball Hall of Fame’s member magazine, Baseball Memories & Dreams brings to life the best of baseball. More than just a baseball history book. Revel in America’s pastime and explore baseball history in articles written by notable sports writers, Hall of Famers, media personalities, and the Hall’s own expert historians. Baseball Memories & Dreams showcases the best of baseball facts, baseball biographies, and baseball media personalities into a robust catalogue of known and unknown information. Get the inside scoop into the lives of baseball giants like Johnny Bench, Peter Gammons, John Grisham, Tim Kurkjian, Ichiro Suzuki, Joe Torre, and more. From their stories, gain insight into each individual life to see just what trials and hardships made these men into the best baseball players in history. With Baseball Memories & Dreams in hand, you’ll see America’s pastime in a new light. Inside, you’ll find over 70 articles on America’s pastime, highlighting: Baseball facts, baseball biographies, stats, and artifacts—and the history and lore behind them Coverage of Black, Hispanic, and woman players Stories about baseball’s great players, teams, and rivalries, as well as the moments that trace the game’s wide-ranging history If you enjoy baseball books—best sellers like The Baseball 100, Cloudbuster Nine, or Talking to GOATS—you’ll love Baseball Memories & Dreams.