Philadelphia: A Photographic Tour

It's about time somebody did a current, comprehensive travel book about Philadelphia. This city has always had historical attractions, but now it's bright and bustling and full of beauty that no book ever seems to capture. Until this one. The photographer, Ms. Highsmith, fills the book with some fabulous views, like the Museum of Art from the Schuylkill River, and some great shots of Franklin Park -- one of the nation's most spectacular but overlooked urban parks. There's "Billy Penn's" statue, of course, but with the fantastic backdrop of Philly's new skyscrapers. I loved the written introduction and the great old photos (including two delightful Mummers' Parade shots) that start the book; and the captions are truly informative. This is one of those rare coffee table books that you want to spend time reading, cover to cover, as well as enjoying the photographs. This is a winner.