The Chicago River: A Natural and Unnatural History

I looked online for this book, because after taking it out from the public library for three times in a row, I realized I couldn't part with it. I received my copy in less than a week and it was in wonderful condition, a lot better than the library copy. If you like Chicago River history, this book is a must have type of book. S. E. Connolly

This book delivers on its title by providing a thorough account of the natural and unnatural (affected by humans) history of the Chicago River. Although the title is apt, it understates the breadth of fascinating material in the book. The "natural history" covers every facet of the river and its environs and provides a good primer about nature in general and the effect that people can have on it. Through the "unnatural history" we learn about the growth of Chicago and its suburbs as well as the Midwest and the United States, with the unifying theme of the river holding everything together.It's clear that a huge amount of research went into this book, and even technical sections are presented clearly and enlivened by interestuing tidbits of information. I wish this book existed when I lived in Chicago. I would have had a much greater appreciation of what was around me.

This is one of the strange and interesting facts found in this book. The author spent six years meticulously researching and writing this book about "the historic creek that Chicago built". The book does many things for Chicago's history: it gives a great perspective of the political realities of managing one of the main forms of transportation in the city's early growth; it describes the economice of developing the land along the river (and its many courses); and it shows the part the river played in the lives of everyone along its banks. The drawings and maps in the book are carefully chosen to give the reader an accurate visual picture of the times. My favorite is the one on pg. 96 where men are lifting an entire hotel to accomodate the installation of sewers in the city. I also loved the story about the "kidnapped dredge"! The last third of the book is very pertinent to the people in the area who truly love the outdoors. It describes the development of the Skokie Lagoons and the Chicago Botanic Garden where many of us bird and the start of the natural areas restoration for which Chicago has become so well known along the banks of the North Branch. For folks who grew up in or near the city, the neighborhood references are sure to bring back fond memories but, even for those of us who did not grow up in this area, there is much to learn. This book would be a great addition to a reference library or a wonderful gift for someone interested in Chicago and its varied history. Looking for the answer to the question that began this review? Well, you'll have to read the book to see how a stroke of luck- or a pen!- made us the "City of Big Shoulders" rather than the "City of the Northwoods"!

Libby Hill's The Chicago River is the result of years of painstaking research and presents an outstanding historical survey of the Chicago River from its creation by pre-glacial forces, to the days of the French explorers using it to access the Mississippi, to its contemporary presence in one of the most densely populated urban areas in the Midwest. The Chicago River is an in-depth, comprehensive work that reveals the never ending struggle between humans and nature over the centuries, as well as the commercial, recreational, and ecological projects currently underway on and in the river. The Chicago River is highly recommended, rewarding reader for those with an interest in Chicago, natural history, environmental issues, and Midwestern history.