Book Review of Charm City: A Walk Through Baltimore

In the nonfiction book Charm City: A Walk Through Baltimore, Madison Smartt Bell presents an immersive and deeply personal journey through the city of Baltimore. Blending history and personal experience, Bell highlights the city's unique character by exploring its past and present. He dives into the struggles and triumphs that have shaped the city, from its role in American history to its present-day artistic and social landscape. Through vivid storytelling and firsthand observations, he offers a view of a city that is filled with beauty, creativity, and contradictions.

Bell’s book is an invitation to see Baltimore beyond the headlines, encouraging readers to experience all Baltimore has to offer. By blending history and experience in short, digestible paragraphs organized by location, he invites individuals, whether tourists or longterm residents, to see the city in a new light. He urges exploration with an open mind, emphasizing the importance of walking through the city to truly grasp its essence. As a native New Yorker, I couldn't agree more; to truly get a feel for a city, throw on your favorite pair of sneakers, turn off your phone, and wander around. For anyone spending time in Baltimore, whether as a student, visitor, or native, Charm City: A Walk Through Baltimore offers a great perspective on what makes this place so special. Here are Bell's top tips on getting the most out of your Baltimore experience:

1. Walk the Neighborhoods and Discover Their Unique Vibes

Baltimore is a city of neighborhoods, each with its own identity. This is something that I've noticed for myself. Treat each area as if it's a new city to explore, and see the different vibes each has to offer! Some starting points? Fell's Point, Fed Hill, Hampden, and Mount Vernon. 

2. Engage with Baltimore’s Deep History

Baltimore has played a major role in American history, from the War of 1812 to the Civil Rights Movement. To get a sense of the city’s past, check out Fort McHenry, Edgar Allan Poe's House and Grave, The Walters Art Museum, and the Maryland Center for History and Culture.

3. Support Local Arts and Music

Baltimore's art scene is thriving, and Bell encourages people to dive right in. He provides some great starting options: The Creative Alliance, Ottobar, Baltimore Museum of Art, and Graffiti Alley. 

4. Eat Like a Local

If you're in Baltimore, you're getting crab-something. I don't think I could've gone one week without someone telling me where the best crab cakes are found, much less a few years. Beyond this, Snowballs are a summer tradition here (shaved ice), and Berger cookies are a Baltimore specialty! 

Baltimore has a reputation that can often overshadow what it has to offer. As Bell writes, while it does have its challenges (like any city), it is also full of culture and hidden treasures. As a person who's lived here for a few years, I don't think I've uncovered everything this city has to offer. All I can say is that the more you look, the more you'll find to love. Take time to engage with Baltimore beyond your campus—it will make your years here that much more rewarding.

Book!

Credit: Lost Dog Artwork