Philly War Zone

Name: Philly War Zone
Price: $31.95 NZD
Author: Kevin Purcell
ISBN: 9781465350787

Growing Up in a Racial Battleground

by Kevin Purcell

Formats

Softcover

$31.95

Hardcover

$47.95

E-Book

$14.95

Softcover

$31.95

Book Details

Language : English

Publication Date : 19/01/2012

Format : Softcover

Dimensions : 6x9

Page Count : 172

ISBN : 9781465350787

Format : Hardcover

Dimensions : 6x9

Page Count : 172

ISBN : 9781465350794

Format : E-Book

Dimensions : 6x9

Page Count : 172

ISBN : 9781465350800

About the Book

In this true story set in the 1970s, you’ll look through the eyes of then 14-year-old Kevin Purcell, who’s now a professional advertising writer, as he watches his perfect childhood neighborhood turn into a racial battleground, where two young kids are stabbed to death, including one of Kevin’s friends. Read as the author describes what it was like as young kids, black and white, from working-class families suddenly find themselves on the front lines of racial upheaval.

About the Author

Born in 1958, Kevin Purcell is the second oldest of five boys raised by Joe and Mary Purcell in Most Blessed Sacrament Parish (MBS) in Southwest Philadelphia. Kevin graduated from Temple University in 1983 with a B.A. in Journalism/Advertising. His advertising career includes positions at: The Philadelphia Inquirer, National Liberty Marketing, Ogilvy & Mather Direct (New York), and The McClure Group, where Kevin served as Partner, Vice President, and Creative Director. Since 1997, Kevin has been creating TV commercials and direct mail packages from his home-based business, Purcell Direct, Inc. Kevin live inWest Chester, PA with his wife, Jeani, and two children, Christian and Jenny-kate.

Customer Reviews

" I grew up a few blocks away, 55th Greenway. Ralph's, Gallagher's pharmacy and the bicycle shop. MBS and Mitchell were the playgrounds of choice but when it came to football we headed out to 58thGreenway, Presbyterian Home for Seniors,(Myers wasn't built at the time. Dirty Annie's, Tip O'Leary's, Chester Ave, West Catholic, MBS, Kevin Purcell covers it all. Great and enjoyable reading. "

John Mullen
"Just finished the book. I enjoyed it very much. I lived in the neighborhood right around the corner from Kevin but only in the 50's. He made reference to the Vittle Vat Shop. Prior to that name/owner, it was Mary's Hoagie Shop. My mother was Mary and I lived above the shop and worked there. I got to know most of the kids in the neighborhood - in fact, I'm still in touch with many of them. Our time there was so different. It was not an affluent area but such a great place to grow up in! The ""gang"" that was around my age numbered 8 and 7 of them went to West Catholic. I went to Bartram which wasn't a bad school at that time but I did take some abuse - especially at the Thanksgiving Day game!! Mary's was definitely a teenage hangout but my father (who was a parole officer for the State) kept everyone in line. There was a juke box and a lot of dancing. It was definitely a 50's place. The store was a little larger than Kevin remembered - he mentioned that the doorway was about a third the width. Given a 3 foot door, the place had to be at least 15 feet wide (it was a big old house). Anyway the book was great and I hope Kevin gets to see my comments."

Paul Falcone
"Great Book,could not put it down,Brings back alot, Most good some just the way it was at the time."

Joe Connolly
"Having grown up very close to and played many hours at Meyers in the mid to late 60's it was like going back in time.It was almost like being next to Kevin as he lived his life in SW Philly. Every place mentioned throughout the book MBS ,the Food Store , Cahill's , Mitchell School (where I went)all brought back vivid memories. Some of my best friends lived on the 60th st side ,I even played ball in every place mentioned even Narbeth which Kevin experienced later in life. Some of the memories hurt slightly like Richie Berberian whom I played against in the Bartram /West wars and was a close friend. Great Book ----------Toby

"

Richard Tyler
"I grew up a few blocks away, 55th Greenway. Ralph's, Gallagher's pharmacy and the bicycle shop. MBS and Mitchell were the playgrounds of choice but when it came to football we headed out to 58thGreenway, Presbyterian Home for Seniors,(Myers wasn't built at the time. Dirty Annie's, Tip O'Leary's, Chester Ave, West Catholic, MBS, Kevin Purcell covers it all. Great and enjoyable reading."

John Mullen
"Just finished the book. I enjoyed it very much. I lived in the neighborhood right around the corner from Kevin but only in the 50's. He made reference to the Vittle Vat Shop. Prior to that name/owner, it was Mary's Hoagie Shop. My mother was Mary and I lived above the shop and worked there. I got to know most of the kids in the neighborhood - in fact, I'm still in touch with many of them. Our time there was so different. It was not an affluent area but such a great place to grow up in! The ""gang"" that was around my age numbered 8 and 7 of them went to West Catholic. I went to Bartram which wasn't a bad school at that time but I did take some abuse - especially at the Thanksgiving Day game!! Mary's was definitely a teenage hangout but my father (who was a parole officer for the State) kept everyone in line. There was a juke box and a lot of dancing. It was definitely a 50's place. The store was a little larger than Kevin remembered - he mentioned that the doorway was about a third the width. Given a 3 foot door, the place had to be at least 15 feet wide (it was a big old house). Anyway the book was great and I hope Kevin gets to see my comments."

Paul Falcone
A timely and poignant memoir about race relations in Philly during the 1970's. Lots of Philly nostalgia and tons of heart. This would make a great movie!

Cynthia
The first chapter is great and definitely leaves you wanting to read more!

Shanna
" I grew up a few blocks away, 55th Greenway. Ralph's, Gallagher's pharmacy and the bicycle shop. MBS and Mitchell were the playgrounds of choice but when it came to football we headed out to 58thGreenway, Presbyterian Home for Seniors,(Myers wasn't built at the time. Dirty Annie's, Tip O'Leary's, Chester Ave, West Catholic, MBS, Kevin Purcell covers it all. Great and enjoyable reading. "

John Mullen
"Just finished the book. I enjoyed it very much. I lived in the neighborhood right around the corner from Kevin but only in the 50's. He made reference to the Vittle Vat Shop. Prior to that name/owner, it was Mary's Hoagie Shop. My mother was Mary and I lived above the shop and worked there. I got to know most of the kids in the neighborhood - in fact, I'm still in touch with many of them. Our time there was so different. It was not an affluent area but such a great place to grow up in! The ""gang"" that was around my age numbered 8 and 7 of them went to West Catholic. I went to Bartram which wasn't a bad school at that time but I did take some abuse - especially at the Thanksgiving Day game!! Mary's was definitely a teenage hangout but my father (who was a parole officer for the State) kept everyone in line. There was a juke box and a lot of dancing. It was definitely a 50's place. The store was a little larger than Kevin remembered - he mentioned that the doorway was about a third the width. Given a 3 foot door, the place had to be at least 15 feet wide (it was a big old house). Anyway the book was great and I hope Kevin gets to see my comments."

Paul Falcone
Anybody who grew up in this era or area, should give a book as a gift to each and every one of their children. There could never be a better way to tell your heritage or how you grew up, than how Kevin Purcell explains in this book "Philly War Zone". It brought laughter, tears, and was such a big impact on my husband, he could not put it down. Everybody should be so lucky to have someone put down in words what was and what will be buried in your heart forever. Great Read!

Anonymous

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Philly War Zone

Growing Up in a Racial Battleground

About the Book

About the Author

Customer Reviews

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