Chicago: Growth of a Metropolis

This book is an absolute necessity for any student of Chicago history; in fact, it is usually one of the assigned texts for almost ever university level course where the subject to be studied is the growth and development of the city of Chicago and its surrounding metropolitan area. The texts that accompany each chapter division are authoritative yet concise. A substantial number of photographs are provided to document the building styles employed as the city expanded in population, land area and commercial and political influence. You will not be taken seriously as a student of Chicago if you are unfamiliar with this book. It is not the final word on the subject, but it is considered "the" primer.

This is a must read for any Chicagoan (as we all know there are two types of people....Chicagoans and people who wish they were Chicagoans. I still have my 1974 purchase. Well worn and borrowed often.

This superb book describes the evolution of Chicago with over 1,000 photographs and dozens of maps. Readers see how a combination of geography, industrialization, railroads and immigration rapidly changed Chicago from an 1837 outpost on Lake Michigan to one of the world's greatest cities. Quickly becoming the earth's leading railroad center, Chicago grew to 110,000 persons in 1860, 550,000 in 1880, 1.6 million in 1900, 3.5 million in 1930 - and at this writing some nine million persons call Chicago (or more often its suburbs) home. Readers see how "the Windy City" has always been a magnet for immigrants seeking jobs, opportunity, and/or urban flavor. The authors focus heavily on the many neighborhoods, and show how our city's growth was influenced by architectural, historic and economic trends. There's also solid coverage of downtown and its famous skyline, our differing ethnic groups, plus many parks, suburbs, slums, highways, railroads, the subway/EL system, etc. You can read this book straight through, use it as reference, or just learn about our city from the many photos. Either way, you'll sense the pride that leads many residents to identify themselves first as being from Chicago, and only later as being from Illinois, the Midwest or the USA.

I first read this book over 10 years ago. it quickly became one of the only textbooks I have read cover to cover more than once. Anyone wanting to learn more about Chicago history will love this book. I continue to use it as reference and as a continous form of entertainment.

This book is a very thorough overview of Chicago's rich history. It also has a very large amount of pictures which make it good as a display book for your coffee table. Anyone who has lived in Chicago can read this and understand the significance of Chicago's past and its influence on the city's evolution.