20 Best Books About Chicago (2023 Update)

From an acclaimed historian, the full and authoritative story of one of the most iconic disasters in american history, told through the vivid memories of those who experienced it between october 8-10, 1871, much of the city of chicago was destroyed by one of the most legendary urban fires in history. incorporated as a city in 1837, chicago had grown at a breathtaking pace in barely three decades, from just over 4,000 in 1840 to greater than 330,000 at the time of the fire. built hastily, the city was largely made of wood. once it began in the barn of catherine and patrick o'leary, the fire quickly grew out of control, twice jumping branches of the chicago river on its relentless northeastward path through the city's three divisions. close to one of every three chicago residents was left homeless and more were instantly unemployed, though the death toll was miraculously low. remarkably, no carefully researched popular history of the great chicago fire has been written until now, despite it being one of the most cataclysmic disasters in us history. building the story around memorable characters, both known to history and unknown, including the likes of general philip sheridan and robert todd lincoln, eminent chicago historian carl smith chronicles the city's rapid growth and place in america's post-civil war expansion. the dramatic story of the fire–revealing human nature in all its guises–became one of equally remarkable renewal, as chicago quickly rose back up from the ashes thanks to local determination and the world's generosity and faith in chicago's future.

Here, witness chicago's growth from a desolate fur-trading post in the 1830s to one of the world's most explosively alive cities by 1900. donald miller's powerful narrative embraces it all: chicago's wild beginnings, its reckless growth, its natural calamities (especially the great fire of 1871), its raucous politics, its empire-building businessmen, its world-transforming architecture, its rich mix of cultures, its community of young writers and journalists, and its staggering engineering projects—which included the reversal of the chicago river and raising the entire city from prairie mud to save it from devastating cholera epidemics. city of the century throbs with the pulse of the great city it brilliantly brings to life.

·the ultimate insider's guide to chicago, fully illustrated with 111 full-page color photographs·features interesting and unusual places not found in traditional travel guides·part of the international 111 places/111 shops series with over 170 titles and 1 million copies in print worldwide·appeals to both the local market (9,5 million people call chicago home) and the tourist market (over 60 million people visit chicago every year!) city of the big shoulders. what started off as a small fur-trading settlement is today a bustling metropolis. once considered the "hog butcher of the world, stacker of wheat, player with railroads and the nation's freight handler", chicago's colorful past remains hidden in the nooks and crannies of this wonderful windy city.adventures await, from the glamorous to the gritty. sip dirty martinis in an elegant, underground, 1920's bank vault. paddle a kayak down the infamous bubbly creek of upton sinclair's the jungle. snorkel a 32-acre, limestone sheet shoal, one of the most biodiverse ecosystems in the midwest. dine outdoors in a 23rd floor beaux-arts cupola overlooking the chicago river. whether you're an out-of-towner or a diehard chicago dweller who thinks you've seen it all, these 111 hidden places are waiting for you to discover them.

With vivid, design-centric illustrations that and short whimsical rhymes, c is for chicago shows off the iconic people, places, food and music of chicago. this a-z tour of the windy city takes readers through iconic landmarks in the second city, including millennium park and "the bean", grant park and buckingham fountain, the el, the chicago river and navy pier. "c is for chicago" also highlights the food and music that make chicago great: chicago hot dogs, deep dish pizza and the chicago blues. can you guess them all? this chicago children's book is a full-size picture book with gorgeous illustrations printed on premium gloss paper. whether on a coffee table or on the nightstand, this large-format book is sure to make any local or visitor smile.

Written in cooperation with the band, this book traces the founding, recording history, and musical impact of one of the world's most innovative and long-lasting rock bands, chicago. founded in 1967 by terry kath and walter parazaider, who were later joined by james william guercio and peter cetera, chicago followed the course of blood, sweat & tears by grafting a horn section on to a rock band to create a progressive jazz-rock sound, recording over twenty top-ten hit songs over the past three decades, including does anybody really know what time it is?, color my world, saturday in the park, wishing you were here, hard to say i'm sorry, you're the inspiration, look away, and hard habit to break. since their first album, chicago transit authority, which featured protest chants from the infamous 1968 democratic convention, chicago has released over twenty albums, with fifteen selling platinum or multi-platinum, more than 100 million in total. their "ultimate hits" album will be released in 1999. in a word, chicago remains one of the most successful bands in america.

Discover the world-famous chicago l – in all its grit and glory.the thundering l is one of chicago's most enduring icons. operating 247 since 1892, it is not only an antique but a working antique. more than 10 billion people have ridden the l, which now carries half a million people a day over 222 miles of track. the heavy, rumbling l has a light side too. it is sought out by tourists, featured in major motion pictures, enjoyed by wide-eyed kids, photographed by admirers, and studied by historians. meanwhile, both the smithsonian institution and the chicago history museum have recently enshrined chicago l cars as the showpiece of major permanent exhibits. the chicago l shows how the early l lines helped to build chicago as well as how today's l helps to revitalize neighborhoods and tie the city together. over the past 100 years, the l has survived numerous attempts to tear it down. today its future is secure. new services are being added and new lines planned. this educating and entertaining book brings the tenacious l to life.

Showcasing the best art and architecture of the windy city, along with edgy shops and funky restaurants, cool chicago features the places that chicagoans like to spend their time.the book is an insider's guide to chicago, written by a chicago guide who wants to show off the best of her city – in this instance kathleen maguire (author of chicago then and now). the book first appeared in 2014 and has been totally revised for 2020. kathleen maguire has compiled a diverse range of locations from must-see visitor attractions, to street art, to favorite local destinations. the familiar landmarks of the city are seen through the prism of karl mondon's experienced lens (travel books on chicago, new york, las vegas, san francisco, portland, phoenix, seattle, milwaukee, vancouver, toronto, cleveland and cincinnati). sites include: cloud gate, crown fountain, pedway, chagall's four seasons, the berghoff, flamingo, the rookery, quincy street station, the ledge at skydeck, french market, marina city, garrett's popcorn, gene & georgetti, poetry foundation, driehaus museum, lakefront trail, chicago history museum, nature boardwalk, second city, old town art fair, old town ale house, schubas tavern, graceland cemetery.

From the award-winning author of bubblegum and the instructions, a daring new novel about the irony, the humor, and the heartbreak of survivorship." adam levin is one of our wildest writers and our funniest." –george saunders, bestselling, award-winning author of lincoln in the bardo a one-in-ten-billion natural disaster devastates chicago. a jewish comedian, his most devoted fan, and the city’s mayor must struggle to move forward while the world—quite literally—caves beneath their feet. with this polyphonic tale of chicago-style politics and political correctness, stand-up comedy and jewish identity, celebrity, drugs, and animal psychology, levin has constructed a monument to laughter, love, art, and resilience in an age of spectacular loss.

Founded next to a great lake and a sluggish river, chicago grew faster than any city ever has. splendid department stores created modern retailing, and the skyscraper was invented to handle the needs of booming businesses in an increasingly concentrated downtown. the stockyards fed the world, and railroads turned the city into the nation's transportation hub. a great fire leveled the city, but chicago rose again. glorious museums, churches and theaters sprang up. explore a missile site that became a bird sanctuary and discover how chicago's first public library came to be located in an abandoned water tank. follow the steps of business leaders and society dames, anarchists and army generals, and learn whose ashes were surreptitiously sprinkled over wrigley field. combining years of research and countless miles of guided tours, author greg borzo pursues chicago's sweeping historical arc through its fascinating nooks and crannies.

Dark, raw power built chicago into an authentic american city. adventurous, civic-minded, and newly rich, chicago's grandees boldly hired the most progressive architects and savviest art and antiques dealers to design and furnish private houses that ultimately defined the city as a centre of american capitalism, culture, and architecture. along prairie avenue, majestic lake shore drive, and astor street, the armours, mccormicks, pullmans and ryersons immortalised their place among chicago's elite with lavish palaces designed by david adler, daniel burnham, howard van doren shaw, and frank lloyd wright in styles that ranged from detailed beaux-arts eclectic to international modern. great houses of chicago, 1871-1921 is the first authoritative study of chicago's grand city houses. thirty four in-depth profiles, illustrated with restored archival photographs and floor plans, portray a private world of midwestern splendour. this masterful volume includes biographical sketches of leading chicago architects, a comprehensive bibliography, and a portfolio of forty additional, rarely-seen residences.

In this social and ecological account of the chicago river, libby hill tells the story of how a sluggish waterway emptying into lake michigan became central to the creation of chicago as a major metropolis and transportation hub. this widely acclaimed volume weaves the perspectives of science, engineering, commerce, politics, economics, and the natural world into a chronicle of the river from its earliest geologic history through its repeated adaptations to the city that grew up around it. while explaining the river’s role in massive public works, such as drainage and straightening, designed to address the infrastructure needs of a growing population, hill focuses on the synergy between the river and the people of greater chicago, whether they be the tribal cultures that occupied the land after glacial retreat, the first european inhabitants, or more recent residents. in the first edition, hill brought together years of original research and the contributions of dozens of experts to tell the chicago river’s story up until 2000. this revised edition features discussions of disinfection, asian carp, green strategies, the evolution of the chicago riverwalk, and the river’s rejuvenation. it also explores how earlier solutions to problems challenge today’s engineers, architects, environmentalists, and public policy agencies as they address contemporary issues. revealing the river to be a microcosm of the uneasy relationship between nature and civilization, the chicago river offers the tools and knowledge for the city’s residents to be champions on the river’s behalf.

Countless publishing professionals have learned the details of their business from this classic guide for publishers, editors and writers. it's updated every 10 years or so, and the 15th edition is the most extensive revision in decades. the internet's influence is pervasive, with substantial sections on preparing manuscripts for electronic publishing, editing for online publications and citing electronic sources. the "rights and permissions" chapter is by attorney william s. strong (the trace the publication process for books and journals, both print and electronic, from manuscript development to distribution and marketing. for the first time, the manual includes a chapter on grammar and usage, by bryan a. garner (a dictionary of modern usage). gone is the 13-page table showing when to hyphenate compound words of all sorts, but it's replaced by a six-plus-page list and a narrative overview, which will be simpler for the overworked manuscript editor ("copyeditor" has vanished, and the index relegates "copyediting" to a cross-reference to manuscript editing) to use. traditionalists may be bothered by the new edition's preference for zip code state abbreviations and dropping periods from such abbreviations as ph.d. and even u.s. some things do remain the same. the style guide still endorses the serial comma (which pw does not) and numerals are still spelled out from one through one hundred and at the beginning of a sentence. those in the publishing industry will need this edition, both for what's new and for what they will want to argue about.copyright 2003 reed business information, inc.

Text and photographs seek to recapture the life and architecture of chicago between 1833 and 1933, celebrating the fallen and razed private and public buildings and monuments of the place of the wild onion

A daily celebration of chicago’s history, both known and obscure, and always entertaining. every day in chicago is a day to remember. in a city so rich with history, every day is the anniversary of some storied historical or cultural moment, whether it’s the dedication of the pablo picasso sculpture downtown on august 15, or the arrest of rod blagojevich at his ravenswood home on december 9, or a fire that possibly involved a cow on october 8. in every goddamn day, acerbic chicago sun-times columnist neil steinberg takes the story of the city, pares away the dull, eat-your-peas parts, and provides 366 captivating daily readings in what makes chicago chicago and america america. it calls upon a wide cast of characters, from oscar wilde to muhammad ali, from emma goldman to teddy roosevelt, and from richard m. daley to fred hampton, to create a compelling narrative that can be read at a sitting or in a yearlong series of daily doses. from new year’s day to new years’ eve, steinberg takes us on a vivid and entertaining tour, illuminating the famous, obscure, tragic, and hilarious elements that make each day in chicago memorable.

This compact yet comprehensive account of chicago's history links key events in the city's development, from its marshy origins in the 1600s to today's robust metropolis. synthesizing a vast body of literature, spinney presents chicago in terms of the people whose lives made the city—not only the tycoons and the politicians but also the hundreds of thousands of immigrants from all over the world who have kept the city working.city of big shoulders sweeps across the colorful and dramatic panorama of chicago's explosive past. how did the pungent swamplands that the native americans called the wild-garlic place mushroom into one of the world's largest and most sophisticated cities? what is the real story behind the great chicago fire? what aspects of american industry exploded with the bomb in haymarket square? did the 1920s in chicago roar as loudly as hollywood would have us believe? a city of immigrants and entrepreneurs, chicago is quintessentially american. spinney traces formative events in the city's history, bringing to life the people, events, and institutions that are most important for understanding chicago's story. from fort dearborn to cabrini-green, père marquette to mayor daley, the union stockyards to the chicago bulls, city of big shoulders draws together diverse threads of the city's development, shedding light on underlying social and economic causes of major events and, especially, on the roles of ordinary people.engaging and highly informative, this account will interest students and teachers of urban history, as well as anyone looking for a brisk overview of chicago's history. historic photographs and informative tables illuminate the narrative.

Lonely planet: the world's number one travel guide publisher* lonely planet's chicago is your passport to the most relevant, up-to-date advice on what to see and skip, and what hidden discoveries await you. admire the city's architecture on a river tour, visit the magnificent art institute of chicago, and see a show at one of the city's 200 theaters – all with your trusted travel companion. get to the heart of chicago and begin your journey now inside lonely planet's chicago: new pull-out, passport-size 'just landed' card with wi-fi, atm and transportation info – all you need for a smooth journey from airport to hotel colour maps and images throughout highlights and itineraries help you tailor your trip to your personal needs and interests insider tips to save time and money and get around like a local, avoiding crowds and trouble spots essential info at your fingertips – hours of operation, phone numbers, websites, transit tips, prices honest reviews for all budgets – eating, sleeping, sightseeing, going out, shopping, hidden gems that most guidebooks miss cultural insights give you a richer, more rewarding travel experience – history, people, music, landscapes, wildlife, cuisine, politics covers the loop, near north, gold coast, old town, boystown, wrigleyville, andersonville, uptown, wicker park, bucktown, ukrainian village, logan square, humboldt park, west loop, pilsen, south side, and more the perfect choice: lonely planet's chicago is our most comprehensive guide to chicago, and is perfect for discovering both popular and off-the-beaten-path experiences. looking for more extensive coverage? just want the highlights? pocket chicago is a smaller guide featuring the top sights and experiences for a shorter trip or weekend visit. about lonely planet: lonely planet is a leading travel media company and the world's number one travel guidebook brand, providing both inspiring and trustworthy information for every kind of traveler since 1973. you'll also find our content online, and in mobile apps, video, 14 languages, nine international magazines, armchair and lifestyle books, ebooks, and more. tripadvisor travelers' choice awards 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016 winner in favorite travel guide category 'lonely planet guides are, quite simply, like no other.' – new york times 'lonely planet. it's on everyone's bookshelves; it's in every traveler's hands. it's on mobile phones. it's everywhere, and it's telling entire generations of people how to travel the world.' – fairfax media (australia) *source: nielsen bookscan: australia, uk, usa, 5/2016-4/2017

Explore chicago with a fun little golden book guidebook written specifically for the youngest tourists and residents.get ready to explore chicago with rory the red fox as your guide! this little golden book highlights major attractions of the windy city including wrigley field, lincoln park zoo, navy pier, and the shedd aquarium. plus there are great suggestions of things to do such as cruise along the chicago river, take a selfie at cloud's gate, and eat deep-dish pizza! perfect for families with young kids visiting chicago, chicago residents who wish to discover more of their hometown, and anyone who wants to learn about a fun city from the comfort of their home.

From the native americans who lived in the chicago area for thousands of years, to the first european explorers marquette and jolliet, to the 2005 chicago white sox world series win, parents, teachers, and kids will love this comprehensive and exciting history of how chicago became the third largest city in the u.s. chicago's spectacular and impressive history comes alive through activities such as building a model of the original ferris wheel, taking architectural walking tours of the first skyscrapers and chicago's oldest landmarks, and making a chicago-style hotdog. serving as both a guide to kids and their parents and an engaging tool for teachers, this book details the first chicagoan jean baptiste point du sable, the fort dearborn massacre, the great chicago fire of 1871, the building of the world's first skyscraper, and the hosting of two world's fairs. in addition to uncovering windy city treasures such as the birth of the vibrant jazz era of louis armstrong and the work of chicago poets, novelists, and songwriters, kids will also learn about chicago's triumphant and tortured sports history.

Despite its rough-and-tumble image, chicago has long been identified as a city where books take center stage. in fact, a volume by a. j. liebling gave the second city its nickname. upton sinclair’s the jungle arose from the midwestern capital’s most infamous industry. the great chicago fire led to the founding of the chicago public library. the city has fostered writers such as nelson algren, saul bellow, and gwendolyn brooks. chicago’s literary magazines the little review and poetry introduced the world to eliot, hemingway, joyce, and pound. the city’s robust commercial printing industry supported a flourishing culture of the book. with this beautifully produced collection, chicago’s rich literary tradition finally gets its due. chicago by the book profiles 101 landmark publications about chicago from the past 170 years that have helped define the city and its image. each title—carefully selected by the caxton club, a venerable chicago bibliophilic organization—is the focus of an illustrated essay by a leading scholar, writer, or bibliophile. arranged chronologically to show the history of both the city and its books, the essays can be read in order from mrs. john h. kinzie’s 1844 narrative of the massacre of chicago to sara paretsky’s 2015 crime novel brush back. or one can dip in and out, savoring reflections on the arts, sports, crime, race relations, urban planning, politics, and even mrs. o’leary’s legendary cow. the selections do not shy from the underside of the city, recognizing that its grit and graft have as much a place in the written imagination as soaring odes and boosterism. as neil harris observes in his introduction, “even when chicagoans celebrate their hearth and home, they do so while acknowledging deep-seated flaws.” at the same time, this collection heartily reminds us all of what makes chicago, as norman mailer called it, the “great american city.” with essays from, among others, ira berkow, thomas dyja, ann durkin keating, alex kotlowitz, toni preckwinkle, frank rich, don share, carl smith, regina taylor, garry wills, and william julius wilson; and featuring works by saul bellow, gwendolyn brooks, sandra cisneros, clarence darrow, erik larson, david mamet, studs terkel, ida b. wells-barnett, frank lloyd wright, and many more.

Despite its rough-and-tumble image, chicago has long been identified as a city where books take center stage. in fact, a volume by a. j. liebling gave the second city its nickname. upton sinclair’s the jungle arose from the midwestern capital’s most infamous industry. the great chicago fire led to the founding of the chicago public library. the city has fostered writers such as nelson algren, saul bellow, and gwendolyn brooks. chicago’s literary magazines the little review and poetry introduced the world to eliot, hemingway, joyce, and pound. the city’s robust commercial printing industry supported a flourishing culture of the book. with this beautifully produced collection, chicago’s rich literary tradition finally gets its due. chicago by the book profiles 101 landmark publications about chicago from the past 170 years that have helped define the city and its image. each title—carefully selected by the caxton club, a venerable chicago bibliophilic organization—is the focus of an illustrated essay by a leading scholar, writer, or bibliophile. arranged chronologically to show the history of both the city and its books, the essays can be read in order from mrs. john h. kinzie’s 1844 narrative of the massacre of chicago to sara paretsky’s 2015 crime novel brush back. or one can dip in and out, savoring reflections on the arts, sports, crime, race relations, urban planning, politics, and even mrs. o’leary’s legendary cow. the selections do not shy from the underside of the city, recognizing that its grit and graft have as much a place in the written imagination as soaring odes and boosterism. as neil harris observes in his introduction, “even when chicagoans celebrate their hearth and home, they do so while acknowledging deep-seated flaws.” at the same time, this collection heartily reminds us all of what makes chicago, as norman mailer called it, the “great american city.” with essays from, among others, ira berkow, thomas dyja, ann durkin keating, alex kotlowitz, toni preckwinkle, frank rich, don share, carl smith, regina taylor, garry wills, and william julius wilson; and featuring works by saul bellow, gwendolyn brooks, sandra cisneros, clarence darrow, erik larson, david mamet, studs terkel, ida b. wells-barnett, frank lloyd wright, and many more.