# Chicago Book Suggestions **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [January 9, 2004, 7:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chicago-book-suggestions/223701 "2004-01-09T19:22:44Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 5\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![tiny\_ham](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/a183cd/32.png) [@tiny\_ham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tiny_ham)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2004, 7:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chicago-book-suggestions/223701/1 "2004-01-09T19:22:44Z")
One of my resolutions for this year was to become a little more versed in Chicago cultural history. I am currently reading **Devil In The White City** and really really enjoying it. I’ve always been entranced by the Columbian Exposition. These are the sorts of books I’d like to read rather than trudge through history books. So if you have any suggestions, I’d love them. History of Chicago Radio, Sports, Television, Improv, Architecture, Crime, Mafia activity. That’s the sort of thing I’m looking for. ---
**Author:** ![Spiriting\_Lightly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a88e4f/32.png) [@Spiriting\_Lightly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spiriting_Lightly)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2004, 5:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chicago-book-suggestions/223701/2 "2004-01-11T17:56:26Z")
Hello, **jarbabyj** : On the non-fiction side of the shelf . . . . _Capone: The Life and World of Al Capone_ by John Kobler Mr. Kobler spends quite a bit of time discussing Chicago, Prohibition, crime, and politics while chronicling the rise and fall of Al Capone. He knows his stuff, and he seems to love Chicago as well. Some readers find his writing mannered and perhaps just a bit twee: at times, he seems the kind of writer who scours Rodale’s and decides that the only fit synonym for “hooker” is “Paphian.” If that makes you smile, Mr. Kobler knows how to show you a good time. _Boss: Richard J. Daley of Chicago_ by Mike Royko Mr. Royko has a good journalist’s flair for writing; the narrative never flags and the anecdotes never stop pouring off the page. When he decides to slow down and examine the sociological ramifications of Mayor Daley’s politics and personality, he can be very incisive and perceptive. Unfortunately, he doesn’t always stop long enough to write the few paragraphs that might lend meaning to deeds. Nevertheless, this book is a good introduction to Richard Daley. Both authors have written extensively about Chicago, and pretty entertainingly at that. Mr. Kobler seems to specialize in the Prohibition era, and Mr. Royko seems to love his city. Both of the books mentioned above contain signposts to other, fine books. From the fiction side – yes, it’s true you didn’t _ask_ for fiction, but . . . . _Studs Lonigan_ by James T. Farrell A trilogy sometimes called _The Studs Lonigan Trilogy_ that comprises _Young Lonigan_, _The Young Manhood of Studs Lonigan_ and _Judgement Day_, this is a long unblinking look at Chicago Irish Catholic life from World War I into the Great Depression. Mr. Farrell peppers his character’s dialogue and his narrative with slang and references to fashion: as they live out their lives, Chicago and world events occur around them. His writing can be very clunky but it’s nearly always real and true. There’s a lot of fiction set in and around the city, _The Jungle_, by Upton Sinclair, _Native Son_, by Richard Wright, and _The Danny O’Neil Pentalogy_, by Mr. Farrell being just three works that jump to mind. Sometimes, naturalistic fiction can lead readers to non-fiction. Hmm, upon reviewing your opening post and my reply, I realize that I’ve wandered far away from the scope of your requests. Perhaps only the recommendation for Mr. Kobler’s book is relevant, and perhaps my enthusiasms diverted me after I mentioned it. If you found any of the foregoing annoyingly off-topic, I apologize. Anyway, and at any rate, I hope some of these suggestions send you to the library. If they don’t, I hope someone more attuned or knowledgeable will stop by long enough to jot down a few recommendations. ---
**Author:** ![Exapno\_Mapcase](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/exapno_mapcase/32/1051_2.png) [@Exapno\_Mapcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Exapno_Mapcase)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2004, 7:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chicago-book-suggestions/223701/3 "2004-01-11T19:37:35Z")
Trolling through my database, I find: Donald L. Miller, _City of the Century: The Epic of Chicago and the Making of America_. One of the major biographies of a city in recent times. Julian Ralph, _Chicago and the World’s Fair_ Burton Benedict, _The Anthropology of World’s Fairs_ Two good books covering the 1893 Exposition. And to go with _Boss_, Norman Mailer’s _Miami and the Siege of Chicago_, about the two 1968 conventions. I thought there was more, but they don’t come up in a keyword search. But I know there are a number of fine books about the Exposition, and a good library should have some of the contemporary works on the fair, which are fascinating propaganda. ---
**Author:** ![monster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/7ab992/32.png) [@monster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/monster)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2004, 10:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chicago-book-suggestions/223701/4 "2004-01-11T22:41:34Z")
I was going to recommed a book that I had heard was good, but have not read yet. I knew that it covered the murders that occurred around the time the World’s Fair was in Chicago, but I didn’t know its name. I looked up the book that you are currently reading, **Devil in the White City** and found that that book is the same one! So, I guess I was going to recommend the book you are currently reading. Are you enjoying my taste in books? 😉 ---
**Author:** ![tiny\_ham](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/a183cd/32.png) [@tiny\_ham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tiny_ham)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2004, 3:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chicago-book-suggestions/223701/5 "2004-01-12T15:05:51Z")
Thanks folks. I’ve still got a little less than half of Devil In The White City to go, but I’m compiling a great list here!