This month, the University of Pennsylvania Press is publishing a landmark three-volume history of Philadelphia — The Greater Philadelphia Region, Greater Philadelphia and the Nation, and Greater Philadelphia and the World.
These photo-rich books were created by the same team behind The Encyclopedia of Greater Philadelphia, and they retell our city’s story in a way that’s celebratory, surprising, and deeply local.
Rather than focusing on the common, well-known landmarks like the Liberty Bell or Independence Hall, the volumes spotlight far more. This includes the neighborhoods, immigrant enclaves, and faith communities that have continuously made Philadelphia greater than the sum of its parts.
Whether its traditions like the annual Mummers Parade, foods like cheesesteaks and pretzels, of pop culture icons like the Phillie Phanatic and Rocky, Philadelphia has several things that are part of the city’s unique identity.
“This is a story about Philadelphia’s pride, resilience, and creativity — told by the people who know it best. The project itself is a homegrown achievement: conceived, written, edited, and supported right here in the city by local scholars, institutions, and funders,” a press release reads.
The books don’t only tell the story of Philadelphia proper, as they also spotlight the suburbs and surrounding counties that have helped shaped the Greater Philadelphia region into what it is today.
“From industrial hubs like Pottstown and Coatesville to suburban growth in Delaware and Montgomery Counties, the volumes show how the region’s identity has always been interconnected,” the press release said.
The Greater Philadelphia Region, Greater Philadelphia and the Nation, and Greater Philadelphia and the World is set to be released on Tuesday, October 21, 2025.
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