September Book Club

The Association of Philadelphia Tour Guides (APT) will hold its next Zoom book club meeting on Tuesday, September 16 at 7 pm. All are welcome to attend. In honor of this year's Homecoming 250 and the founding of the Navy in Philadelphia, September's book club choice is Six Frigates: The Epic History of the Founding of the U.S. Navy by Ian Toll.

Before the ink was dry on the U.S. Constitution, the establishment of a permanent military became the most divisive issue facing the new government. The founders—particularly Jefferson, Madison, and Adams—debated fiercely. Would a standing army be the thin end of dictatorship? Would a navy protect from pirates or drain the treasury and provoke hostility? Britain alone had hundreds of powerful warships.

From the decision to build six heavy frigates, through the cliff-hanger campaign against Tripoli, to the war that shook the world in 1812, Ian Toll tells this grand tale with political insight and narrative flair.

APT members will find Zoom details in the Tour Talk newsletter the week of the meeting. Non-APT members who would like to participate in the September book club should email APT Secretary Pam Covey at [secretary@phillyguides.org](mailto:secretary@phillyguides.org) no later than 5 pm the day of the meeting to receive the Zoom link. Please join us!