South Philadelphia: Mummers, Memories, and the Melrose Diner
Reading this account of the historical neighborhoods of South Philadelphia is like looking at someone else's personal photographs. They may at first intrigue, but anyone lacking direct ties to the subject will eventually lose interest. Dubin, a Philadelphia Inquirer journalist, reconstructs the neighborhood's history through interviews of current and past South Philly residents. Sometimes enchanting and reminiscent of long-gone times, the book includes stories like those of Father Cox, who forbade the Twist at the high school dances he oversaw "because it began to get a little too racy." Dubin writes, "People downtown were not afraid to enjoy themselves.... Remember, there were no strangers, so who was going to laugh at you? Not your neighbors. They were rooting for you." Past, present, maybe even future neighbors of South Philadelphia will enjoy this work. The rest will just smile politely and flip through. Recommended only where interest warrants.Penny L. Piva, Univ. of Massachusetts, North DartmouthCopyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.