An Architectural Guidebook To Philadelphia [Paperback]

Francis Morrone (Author), James Iska (Photographer)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1, 1998

Celebrated architectural writer Francis Morrone returns with a guide to one of the nation's most historical cities--Philadelphia. In addition to including architectural, artistic, and historical insight on its characterizing landmarks, the guide embraces the reader in a quest to realize the city's mysterious legacy--the dichotomous character indicative of its two most famous sons, William Penn and Benjamin Franklin. Meander through Washington Square, Chestnut Hill, Rittenhouse Square, Germantown, and even the infamous Philadelphia Museum of Art.

Editorial Reviews

From the Inside Flap

Chapter 1 Around City Hall 2 Washington Square 3 Independence 4 Society Hill 5 Old City 6 Market East/Convention 7 South 8 Rittenhouse Square 9 Market West 10 University City 11 Parkway 12 North by Northwest 13 Germantown 14 Chestnut Hill Bibliography Index for Specialists Index

From the Back Cover

Celebrated architectural writer Francis Morrone walks us through one of the nation's most historic cities. In additin to architectural, artistic, and historical insight on its characterizing landmarks, this guide involves the reader in a quest to realize the city's mysterious legacy--the dichotomous character indicative of its two most famous sons, William Penna nd Benjamin Franklin. Whether you embrace the city's heart through Penn or its mind through Franklin, within these pages you will find an enthralling tour. This guide's all-in-one approach is indispensable for architecure, art, and history enthusiasts. It includes these popular sites and more: Independence Hall Germantown Washington Square Rittenhouse Square The Nuseum of Art Chestnut Hill

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Product Details

• Paperback: 288 pages
• Publisher: Gibbs Smith (April 1, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0879058900
• ISBN-13: 978-0879058906
• Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 6 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,038,358 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great read!, July 11, 2000

By 

Whitney R. Eads (Chalfont, PA USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: An Architectural Guidebook To Philadelphia (Paperback)

How many guidebooks can you read through like a novel? I have several times, and each time is better than the last. This book is informative and entertaining. It's amazing how many new things you can learn about a city you thought you knew. And how can you not love a book where even the index is fun to read?

5.0 out of 5 stars A treasure., April 16, 2010

By 

John Pastier (San Jose, CA, USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: An Architectural Guidebook To Philadelphia (Paperback)

Francis Morrone has written a breezy, insightful, and opinionated guide that's intellectually stimulating and generally well-grounded in its wide-ranging judgments, whether they involve cheesesteak sandwiches, architecture, or the comparative merits of William Penn and Ben Franklin. Morrone appreciates the city's strong architectural culture, but also isn't afraid to tweak the noses of a few local design icons, including those with the initials M/G, LK, and RV. (But alas, he dotes on the usually boring and bloodless Paul Cret.)

I just wish there were more of this book -- more illustrations and more buildings (such as the universally-overlooked Medical Building, one of the slimmest pre-war skyscrapers anywhere.) With significant structures such as Rafael Vinoly's Verizon Center, Robert Stern's Comcast Center, Cesar Pelli's Cira Centre, and Citizen's Bank Park having come on the scene since the book was published eleven years ago, it's time for an expanded second edition.

James Iska's uncommonly well-crafted photographs enhance the book, but deserve better treatment than the low-contrast reproduction afforded by the publisher.

All in all, a wonderful architectural guidebook to America's most underrated city.

8 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Disappointing, April 19, 2001

By 

Steven H Simon (Lansdale, PA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: An Architectural Guidebook To Philadelphia (Paperback)

I found this book to be a diappointment. I expected a book which would discuss the architecture of the buildings of Philadelphia. Instead the book is about the history of the city and its buildings with scant discussion of the architure. A Better title for this book would be , The Historical Significance of The Buildings of Philadelphia. For a guide book their were surprisingly few (black and white) photographs. I would suggest , Philadelphia Architecture: A Guide To The City; by The Foundation For Architecture .