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Chicago: Growth of a Metropolis
Binding: Paperback
Author: Harold M. Mayer
Manufacturer: University Of Chicago Press
Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours
Average Rating: 5.0
Total Customer Reviews: 7
List Price: $40.00
Our Price: $26.40
Sales Rank: 489017
Product Description
This is the story of Chicago and how it grew. In a little over a century it rose from a mere frontier outpost to become one of the great cities of the world. No single book can possibly encompass the immense scope of this development or convey the endless diversity of the life of Chicago's people. But with the help of the camera it is possible to capture many dimensions of this extraordinary story.
This volume, however, which comprises over 1,000 pictures and 50 maps, tries to do more than show physical development—it attempts to suggest how the city expanded and why it looks the way it does. Because it asks different questions, this book differs markedly from other "pictorial histories" of American cities. Instead of emphasizing society and customs, this volume deals with the physical conditions of life. In place of the conventional interest in "founding fathers" and leading families, it is more concerned with street scenes and ordinary people. Without neglecting downtown, it also reaches into the residential areas and neighborhood shopping centers. Moreover, this volume is concerned with suburbs and "satellite" towns as well as the historic city.
"Chicago: Growth of a Metropolis is an incredible book. Like its subject it is excessive, and nothing succeeds like excess. It is handsomely designed, with a thousand photographs that document the physical growth and the spatial patterns of the city. . . . A dimensionalism comes through that no other city has. Carl Sandburg sang it in his poetry, and the book does more to grasp it . . . than any other book I have seen."—Hugh Newell Jacobson, New Republic
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Users Product Reviews: |
Product Review Summary: A great book about Chicago This came fast and in the good condition that they said it would be in.
Product Review Summary: A Prairie Primer 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.
Product Review Summary: I got mine in 1969... ...and have been referring to it regularly ever since. (Probably the only refs I use more often are World Almanac, Statistical Abstract of US, and Encyclopedia Americana.) I know of no better first place to go when I have a question about Chicago (which happens often, even tho I've lived here continuously for 33 years.) The illustrations are a little cramped - if you want better, get 'Above Chicago' (but no where near 1,000.) A good mix of pics and intelligent copy. I was surprised to see it still in print, but that just proves many share my opinions.
Product Review Summary: Masterful document. 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.
Product Review Summary: Great View of Chicago's History & Growth 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.
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