Customer Reviews

The Chicagoan: A Lost Magazine of the Jazz Age

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(1)
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The Chicagoan was a magazine that was inspired by the New Yorker and lasted 9 years 1926-1935. Its subsequent downfall from prominence to obscurity was so complete that there are only 2 known complete sets of the magazine. Additionally, all of the artists and writers who toiled for The Chicagoan wound up every bit as obscure as their magazine. Up until the publication of Neil Harris's 400 page book, the very existence of The Chicagoan was unknown even to historians of the Windy City.

Neil Harris has done a masterful job of both recounting the history of this splendid magazine as well as presenting examples of the art and writing that graced its pages. Hopefully, this will prove to be the start of a trend of exploring this magazine's history as well as the history of Jazz Age Chicago.

Great graphics--in its day the magazine must have challenged the New Yorker neck-and-neck. Sparkles with the wit and zest of jazz age Chicago--featuring figures of the wanning Chicago Renaissance and the hectic nightlife and cultural scene of the naughty lady by the Lake in the late 1920s and early 1930s. A rescued gem that breathes life into the City's history. Marie J. Kuda

This book is a treat to read or to just leaf through. The reproductions of the pages of the Chicagoan are crisp and clear. It gives insight into what it might have been like to have lived in Chicago at the time in ways that probably no other book can give. While it can be a 'coffee table book,' it can also provide hours and hours of reading pleasure.

This was a gift for our sister-in-law and I didn't know of this book before she requested it in the family grab bag, but when it arrived. It weighed a ton and when I opened it, I understood why. It had an entire vibrant, extensive history of Jazz and the world of it. I didn't want to leave fingerprints on anything, so I left it as is and wrapped it. She absolutely loves it and I would recommend this to any jazz lover or those who could become jazz lovers easily by opening this book (bible) of jazz history!

Great book on a long lost magazine. So similar to the New Yorker, but with a Chicago twist. This book documents and shows the wonderful artwork of this lost gem.

This rediscovered magazine has Great art in the art deco style. The articles are ,of course, dated but many of them have historical interest.

This is a very beautiful book. I recommend it highly to anyone that loves the eras in this book. The art work is really really nice.