Brian James Kirk

The newest issue of two.one.five magazine features a story I wrote after spending a day with Buzz Bissinger, driving through Philadelphia, discussing the tenth anniversary of his book A Prayer for the City. We discussed the Nutter administration, Street’s “horrendous, bizzare” personality, and whether or not Ed Rendell truly saved the city during his tenure as mayor. And of course, two.one.five’s beautiful design is sharp. I’ll preview the introduction, but you’ll have to pick up a copy to read it in its entirety. The magazine is free (rumor has it, this will be the last issue that’s free), so why not?

Immediately upon stepping into the dusty, dented Ford station wagon, Buzz Bissinger starts answering questions I have not yet asked. “I haven’t seen Ed in ages,” he says, referring to Pennsylvania Governor and former Philadelphia Mayor Ed Rendell. In 1992, the men spent four years together. Bissinger was documenting Rendell’s first term as mayor; Rendell was trying to save the city from cataclysm.

Although Bissinger is better known for Friday Night Lights – a New York Times No. 1 best-seller, movie and television show – A Prayer for the City is the Philadelphia writer’s gift to the city. The book is a departure from your typical urban studies textbook; it’s a haunting account of the hopelessness and promise of urban America in the 20th century.

Ten years after the book was published, I’ve asked Bissinger—whose shaggy brown hair is graying slightly at his temples—to drive through the neighborhoods that inspired the book and describe what has changed. Our 3-hour, 30-mile trek through the heart of thriving downtown Philadelphia to its outer, struggling neighborhoods juxtaposes substantial progress against despairing stagnation. A snapshot of an American city still struggling to reconnect to its past glories.

15th and Market, Center City

11:16 a.m. – We circle City Hall – Philadelphia’s epicenter – where Bissinger spent much of his time with Rendell. In 1992, it was surrounded by a dwindling downtown district. Today, hundreds of white-collar workers bustle past us. Since his inauguration in January, Mayor Michael Nutter has worked arduously to raise the city’s profile. Despite making progress, notably with crime, he’s been criticized for not yet living up to some of the many promises of his campaign.

What do you think of Nutter?

I’m curious about Nutter to see how he’s going to do. He’s saying all the right things, getting out in the city and smiling with babies, expressing outrage. He’s really taking his cues from the Ed Rendell handbook. But so far, I haven’t seen much pedal to the metal.

Pick up an issue at local retailers wherever they may be, or head over to their website and ask them where you can get a copy. Actually, I’ll get back to you on their distribution points. My bad.