Challenging Chicago: Coping with Everyday Life, 1837-1920 [Hardcover]

Perry Duis (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 1, 1998

During an unprecedented period of rapid growth from the mid-19th century to the early 20th century, the burgeoning metropolis of Chicago quickly became a "concentration of risk", far more congested, crowded, dangerous, unpleasant, immoral, and unhealthy than newcomers had anticipated. Against this backdrop emerged innovators and institutions that made the vibrant city of today. 86 photos.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Not only is Challenging Chicago a model of how to turn a collection of articles into a book, it is one of the best books ever written about Chicago... Duis has mastered an incredible amount of information (the illustrations and endnotes are worth the price of the book)... After reading Challenging Chicago you will never again look at the urban landscape -- the streets, the river, the warehouses, the neighborhoods, the houses and the architecture -- without seeing the remains of the city that once was, and without thinking of the people who lived there." -- James L. Swanson, Chicago Tribune "A fascinating glimpse at the excitement as well as the dangers and risks of life in one of the world's great industrial cities... Chicago, a tough, wonderful place, finds expression in Duis's fascinating book." -- James R. Barrett, The Historian

Product Details

• Hardcover: 448 pages
• Publisher: University of Illinois Press (July 1, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0252023943
• ISBN-13: 978-0252023941
• Product Dimensions: 10.3 x 7.3 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.5 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,761,216 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A must read for every reader of Chicago history., January 28, 1999

By 

[e-mail] (Chicago) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Challenging Chicago: Coping with Everyday Life, 1837-1920 (Hardcover)

For anyone who knows the challenges of "coping with every day life" in Chicago, in this book lies many surprises. Modern day dwellers of Chicago will appreciate all those who came before them. Modern day historians of Chicago will wish they wrote this book. I, admittedly a representative of both groups, look at Chicago and it's history with a greater understanding of the people who "coped" before me. People are the key. From the first page the reader begins to identify with the needs and dreams of people just trying to make ends meet. The origins of our neighborhoods and the history of the people who built them give meaning and surprising insight how Chicago is the sum of all it's parts. Challenging Chicago also offers a treasure of old photographs that add to the story of everyday life in Chicago. If you're buying a book on Chicago this year-buy this one. Your next walk down the streets of Chicago will come alive with the stories of people who walked there first.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Challenging Chicago, Coping with Everyday Life, 1837-1920, March 2, 2008

By 

A. F. Opitz "Bookworm Al" (Chicago, IL) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

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This review is from: Challenging Chicago: Coping with Everyday Life, 1837-1920 (Paperback)

Perry R. Duis presents an intreging insight to life in Chicago during the period between boom of the Illinois and Michigan Canal, 1837, to the boom of the twenties, 1920, and intervening up and downs.
The prospect of becomming rich working on the canal intreged many people, hard working and scam artists. The book, written in six parts, delves into many of the cons and tragidies and successes that many suffered. The City was not always a healthy place to live, many learned to live in the City dispite these problems.
The book covers how many made fortunes and lost them. How neighborhoods developed, burned and redeveloped.
Health institutions were started and overburdened, causing spread into, what is now the suburbs and edges of the City.
The book would be an excellent addition to anybody who is interested in the history of Chicago.

4 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Development of a City Culture, November 23, 1999

By 

John A. Green "Greenrail" (Channahon, IL) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Challenging Chicago: Coping with Everyday Life, 1837-1920 (Hardcover)

This book really touched me very deeply. My family came to the city during the late 1800's. The struggles of the people and the mass of challenges they faced seems daunting to those of us who are ancestors.

This book truly gave me a new perspective on the struggles that my family went through when they settled in Chicago. It gives me a new view of life as we now have it compared to those days.

One would never really understand what the people of Chicago faced during the growth of the city during the era discussed in this book. Duiz capyured the essence of the struggles quite well.

To the author, I say Thanks for the wonderful insights you gave me!