Much has been written about Chicago: books about our city’s shady politics, collections describing our architectural influence, and interviews detailing the lives of ordinary people.
We put together a list of 10 essential books to read if you love Chicago. These titles highlight the fascinating stories of neighborhoods, a look at how political leaders shape the built environment, and the impact of school closures on Southside communities. Notice a favorite read that’s missing? let us know!
You are reading: Best books about chicago
And one more thing to note: We provide Amazon links for convenience, but we encourage you to check with one of your local Chicago bookstores to order these titles. there are so many independent places like the unabridged bookstore, 57th street books, women and children first, and the book cellar.
the chicago neighborhood guide, edited by martha bayne“just as it is difficult to understand chicago without acknowledging the divergent concerns that animate the lives of its residents, Whether it’s an Englewood mom who has fought to keep a single corner free of gun violence, or Edgewater Glen’s intense dedication to Halloween, the guide serves as a powerful reminder of a global connection we still share, tied to a city steeped in history. writes tanner howard in a reduced chicago review of the anthology.
See Also: Top 5 Books to Help You Prepare for the IELTS Test | ApplyBoard
Skyscraper Stories, Edited by Audrey PettyThis collection details first-person accounts from former residents of Chicago’s well-known and now-demolished public housing projects. the stories here share experiences of community, gentrification and displacement, giving a voice to those who must be heard.
ghosts in the schoolyard, by eve l. ewingewing was first a student and then a teacher in the chicago public schools. now, as a researcher studying them, she argues that public schools are not just institutions, but integral parts of neighborhoods and places that bring people together. This book looks at the 2013 school closures and explores the impact of that hugely controversial decision on Chicago’s South Side neighborhoods. ewing asks: if these schools were so bad, why did people care so much about keeping them open, to the point that some even went on hunger strike?
Never a City So Real: A Tour of Chicago, by alex kotlowitz Most Chicagoans are familiar with There Are No Children Here, the book by Kotlowitz that explores the lives of two brothers who grew up in the homes of henry horner. We highlight another title that looks at the life of a soul food restaurateur, the lawyers and defendants in Chicago criminal court, and a steelworker turned history teacher. He presents these intimate profiles as a love letter to Chicago showing “a place that can tie me in knots but a place that has been my muse, my friend, my joy,” Kotlowitz writes.
chicago in the making, by andrew diamondready to delve into the transformation of chicago in the last century? This historian traces the evolution of the city as it grew from railway stations, factories, and tenements to become a global city. particularly interesting for urban planners who are curious about an overview of power and inequality residing in the city.
See Also: 5 Essential Frank Herbert Novels That Aren’t About Dune
mayor 1%: rahm emanuel and the rise of the 99% of chicago, by kari lydersenrahm emanuel served two terms as mayor of chicago and during his tenure the cranes construction dotted the sky, downtown businesses boomed and megaprojects flourished. If you’re curious about what happened and learning more about Mayor Lightfoot’s agenda to invest more in neighborhoods, this is a good place to start.
chicago by the book: 101 publications that shaped the city and its image, by caxton club with an introduction by neil harrisattention bibliophiles: this one is for you! this collection illustrates how books shaped the city. the great fire of chicago in 1871? led to the founding of the chicago public library. the once-robust printing industry in the southern loop created a strong literary culture (and now you can thank for a distinct style of lofts). Notable writers like Nelson Algren and Gwendolyn Brooks built careers here. In Chicago By The Book, you’ll learn how historical publications over the past 170 have defined the city.
Garbage Wars: Fighting for Environmental Justice in Chicago, by David Naguib PellowAre you thinking more about what’s happening to your garbage lately? In this book, you’ll learn how our waste is affecting our vulnerable neighborhoods and residents. more than just your dumpster. Sociologist David Pellow discusses the dangers, health risks, and politics of Chicago’s waste industry. more importantly, it offers suggestions on how communities can work together to live more sustainably.
here’s the deal: buying and selling a great american city, by ross miller architectural critic and urban historian ross miller tells the story of the debacle real estate behind block 37 of the loop. While the 37th block now has many retail stores, a movie theater, a residential tower, and access to two L stops, it wasn’t always this way. Miller’s book details the tumultuous decades-long history of Block 37 and how politicians, developers, brokers and architects can fail in urban renewal.
rust belt chicago: anthology, edited by martha baynethis collection of stories by authors including chloe taft, sonya huber, and kari lydersen draws attention to the industrial past of the region and chicago’s complicated relationship with the industry that anchors the midwest. the chicago tribune writes that it is, “…a lively grab bag of essays, fiction, and poetry that sometimes reads like a who’s who of contemporary chicago writers and residents.”
See Also: The best figure drawing books in 2022 | Creative Bloq