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somebodyisfromhere.com
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A Prayer for The City.
<<< As the economic downturn continues, Somebodyisfromhere.com looks back at
the Buzz Bissinger book A Prayer for the City and the progress of the American city.
Copyrighted in 1997, A Prayer follows the first mayoral term of Ed Rendell in
Philadelphia during the 90's. Bissinger followed around the administration as they
wrestled with lost jobs, race, and the suffocating budget. With the obvious
concentration on Philly, Bissinger's goal is to draw parallels with all industrial cities.
Twelve years later, cities still have many of the same problems. Police shootings play
a prominent role in the book. Meanwhile, people in Michigan might feel something in
common with the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard's closure in 1995.
Some of the most interesting "big city" stuff is the everyday bureaucracy. When the
city needs somebody to lead the new housing initiatives, they had the choice
between a qualified white guy with experience in San Francisco or the black guy with
experience in the smaller Camden. So who did they hire? Well, neither, it's the big
city and things don't go as planned.
Bissinger was a former reporter for the Philadelphia Inquirer and later wrote the
famous sports books Friday Night Lights and Three Nights in August. In some ways
Prayer reminds Somebodyisfromhere.com of a sports book from another writer.
Michael Lewis' Moneyball, like Prayer, is better in some ways to read later once the
aftermath has taken care of itself. Much of Moneyball was about a single amateur
draft class. Years later, you can look at a guy like Nick Swisher and see how it
worked out. Similarly Bissinger's book shows the rise of a lot of the city's political
players.
the Buzz Bissinger book A Prayer for the City and the progress of the American city.
Copyrighted in 1997, A Prayer follows the first mayoral term of Ed Rendell in
Philadelphia during the 90's. Bissinger followed around the administration as they
wrestled with lost jobs, race, and the suffocating budget. With the obvious
concentration on Philly, Bissinger's goal is to draw parallels with all industrial cities.
Twelve years later, cities still have many of the same problems. Police shootings play
a prominent role in the book. Meanwhile, people in Michigan might feel something in
common with the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard's closure in 1995.
Some of the most interesting "big city" stuff is the everyday bureaucracy. When the
city needs somebody to lead the new housing initiatives, they had the choice
between a qualified white guy with experience in San Francisco or the black guy with
experience in the smaller Camden. So who did they hire? Well, neither, it's the big
city and things don't go as planned.
Bissinger was a former reporter for the Philadelphia Inquirer and later wrote the
famous sports books Friday Night Lights and Three Nights in August. In some ways
Prayer reminds Somebodyisfromhere.com of a sports book from another writer.
Michael Lewis' Moneyball, like Prayer, is better in some ways to read later once the
aftermath has taken care of itself. Much of Moneyball was about a single amateur
draft class. Years later, you can look at a guy like Nick Swisher and see how it
worked out. Similarly Bissinger's book shows the rise of a lot of the city's political
players.
Then Mayor Rendell is governor. Then chief of staff David Cohen has become an Executive V.P. at Comcast. Then young federal
appointee for Housing, Michael Smerconish, has become a morning show host who increasingly appears on national television. Then
member of the staff Joe Torsella was running for Senate before Arlen Spector effectively took his spot.
A walk around the city has a similar feel. Downtown you can see the convention center that was supposed to revitalize the city. The new
sports facilities for the Eagles and Phillies weren't in the book but the shipyard is visible near both.
The book has subplots about a grandmother looking after her family in a violent area, a lawyer fighting for the city, a libertarian
struggling with violence, and a man trying to provide for his family as he loses his job. Still, it's about Rendell and Cohen. Both hard
workers, Cohen is the lieutenant to Rendell's boss.
Rendell deserves credit for giving the access. He did a lot of good for the city. He also changed the mindset of the city restoring pride.
On other occasions he was overly physical or flirtatious. He wasn't perfect, but either is any city.
appointee for Housing, Michael Smerconish, has become a morning show host who increasingly appears on national television. Then
member of the staff Joe Torsella was running for Senate before Arlen Spector effectively took his spot.
A walk around the city has a similar feel. Downtown you can see the convention center that was supposed to revitalize the city. The new
sports facilities for the Eagles and Phillies weren't in the book but the shipyard is visible near both.
The book has subplots about a grandmother looking after her family in a violent area, a lawyer fighting for the city, a libertarian
struggling with violence, and a man trying to provide for his family as he loses his job. Still, it's about Rendell and Cohen. Both hard
workers, Cohen is the lieutenant to Rendell's boss.
Rendell deserves credit for giving the access. He did a lot of good for the city. He also changed the mindset of the city restoring pride.
On other occasions he was overly physical or flirtatious. He wasn't perfect, but either is any city.