Johnny Tremain (Esther Forbes)

Johnny Tremain is an orphan, apprenticed to a silversmith in 1770s Boston. When an accident cripples his hand, he has to change occupations. He winds up at a printer, working with the friendly Rab. There, he gets entangled with Sam Adams, Paul Revere, and others plotting against the British. Johnny will wind up helping the American cause as they begin their War for Independence. But can a rag-tag bunch of farmers possibly overcome the well-trained British army?

This award-winning historical fiction book is "a story of Boston in revolt" as told through the eyes of a teenager. It concludes right after the war begins, and Johnny starts to appreciate just how much it will cost. And for what? So that "a man can stand up" and live free.

Rating: B+

Philadelphia

Philadelphia, with select locations

It has been too long since I did a travel post. With Philly fresh on the mind, today I focus on the City of Brotherly Love. Per the above map, I will cover locations from west to east.

Art Museum

With stairs made famous by Rocky, the Philadelphia Museum of Art is worth the trip for movie and art fans alike. The Rocky statue is off to the side (to the right of the building), and frequented by tourists wanting their picture with it. The museum itself is a nice mix of artwork, dishes, furniture, and re-creations of period rooms. We spent about an hour there, moving at an easy pace and enjoying some of the odd art. We probably saw 75% of the exhibits in that time, though we did not linger long in any one area.

Eastern State Penitentiary

A short walk east of the Art Museum is an abandoned jail. This famous prison established the model for hundreds to follow. Its imposing walls (and interior) was meant to inspire penitence. Al Capone stayed here, though his accommodations were better than a 3-star hotel chain. An audio tour, narrated by Steve Buscemi, takes 45 minutes to complete.

Love Statue & City Hall

Southeast of the museum and prison is center city, noted for its impressive city hall, Love statue, and old Wanamaker's department store, the first of its kind (and the first to use price tags). Visit at Christmas for the full effect. 

Reading Terminal Market

Just east of city center is the Reading Terminal Market, where you can shop for groceries, treats, or a meal. Delicious and a must-visit.

Liberty Bell & Independence Hall

Continuing east, we (metaphorically) hit the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall, with the Museum of the American Revolution just beyond.

Betsy Ross House & Elfreth's Alley

Now turning northeast, we come to a section of town that is preserved/restored as it looked in the 1770s: The Betsy Ross House and Elfreth's Alley.

Cheesesteaks

Not shown on the map (because they are 1.4 miles by foot south of the Liberty Bell) are Pat's and Geno's, rival chains serving the famous Philly cheesesteak.

Wider City Shots

Philly is an interesting mix of buildings from various time periods.

Theft

Don't leave your bike unattended (for several decades, judging by the model).

Concluding Thoughts

The above highlights are not exhaustive . . . there is more to see and do in Philly. But the above would be a pleasant way to spend two days (at leisurely pace) or one (if you are huffing it).