5 comments about A Chicago Tavern: A Goat, a Curse, and the American Dream..

1. WGN radio personality and Chicago Tribune columnist Rick Kogan presents A Chicago Tavern: A Goat, A Curse, and the American Dream, the true story of a baby goat who fell off a truck in 1934, hobbled into a tavern owned by Greek immigrant William Sianis, and became a Chicago icon. Known as The Billy Goat Inn, Sianis' tavern gained a lasting reputation as the leisure pub of choice for newspaper reporters, policemen, politicians, and more. But did Billy put a jinx on the Cubs? After Billy and one of his goats were prohibited from entering Wrigley Field during the 1945 World Series, the Cubs eventually lost to Detroit - and kept on losing. Today the single tavern has become a prosperous chain of seven, including one in Washington, D.C.; A Chicago Tavern acutely on the folklore, daily life, humorous anecdotes, and more revolving around the classy establishment that started the legend. Numerous vintage black-and-white photographs add a you-are-there touch to this history of a beloved Chicago hangout.



2. This is an excellent book, easy to read, especially interesting to a native Chicagoian. Very nice photos. Extremely informative.



3. I had an existential "A-ha!" moment in Rick Kogan's tribute to "A Chicago Tavern: a Goat, A Curse, and the American Dream."
   
   Kogan says:
   Around 1950, there were almost 7,000 taverns in Chicago. In 2006, there were fewer than 1,250.
   
   This reviewer basically learned how to read while accompanying my father to visit his friends at Peg's Tavern in Hinckley, IL (They would give me nickels and quarters to play the juke box - so I learned P a t s y C l i n e and all her friends and all their songs.) There was a real sense of community and camaraderie among the regulars, like an Irish village pub/hub, that one doesn't encounter in the "fern bar" Chains of today, contributing, one can extrapolate, to the loss of neighborliness and sense of community in current culture. (See also Bowling Alone : The Collapse and Revival of American Community)
   
   Kogan tells about a family of Greek immigrants who created a place where all collars, blue, white, and clerical meet and mingle; a tale of a Billy Goat's tail and the "truth" about the "curse" on the Chicago Cubs. Making appearances in text and photos are the Sianis family; various animal goats; various old goat humans: Mike Royko and Harry Caray; Aykroyd & Belushi (this is the real deal - where the "Cheezborger, Cheezborger! No fries . . . chips!" were made;) some presidents and other politicians; and even that Stinkier- than-a-Goat Devil & Demolisher of the 2003 Pennant Hope, Steve Bartman.
   
   Docked a star because Kogan's choice to write the whole thing, even the historical stuff from 1916, in the present tense, riled this reviewer worse than a whole gaggle of sorority girl foo-foo umbrella drinks.
   
   /TundraVision, Amazon Reviewer.



4. Kogan nailed it all: a history lesson about somebody else's family turns into a cultural escapade in and around a neighborhood joint. God bless Lake Claremont Press for covering Chicago stuff like this and typical of their line of Chicago-themed titles, it works really, really well.
   The real stories behind the legendary dive, er, tavern that is now a world-wide recognized icon. Like all true stories, real life is better than fiction and especially when in the hands of a top-shelf teller of tales like Kogan, whose ability to paint vivid images is what local readers (and listeners) know and love. If there's a torch being passed by Studs Terkel, Kogan is the guy who inherits it and TAVERN proves it nicely.
   
   A small piece of Chicago history, brilliantly preserved. I really enjoyed it.
   
   Mark Braun
   Old Timers' Baseball Association of Chicago



5. I read this book on the way to Chicago and by the time I got there I was ready to go check out the piece of history that is the Billy Goat Tavern(THE ORIGINAL). Obviously a quick read with lots of fun information.

No comments about Laminated Chicago City Streets Map by Borch.

1 comments about Seasonal Guide to the Natural Year: A Month by Month Guide to Natural Events, New England & New York (Seasonal Guide to the Natural Year).

1. Are you fascinated by the many wonders of nature? Did you know that there are a lot of amazing natural phenomena occuring right around you?

   This book is a unique and excellent guide to the most spectacular natural phenomena occuring in your region. The information is neatly organized and detailed directions are included. I wish I had discovered this book earlier! Many of my favorite spots for nature-watching, which took me many years of exploring to discover, are readily listed in it.

No comments about Chicago Il Low Underpass Map: Pocket.

5 comments about Travel Alone & Love It: A Flight Attendant's Guide to Solo Travel.

1. Excellent ideas & tips. I wish it was a longer book, though.



2. I REALLY LOVE THIS GEM OF A TRAVEL BOOK. MS. WINGLER SHARES MANY GOOD TIPS FOR THE SOLO TRAVELER REGARDING SAFETY, PACKING AND MUCH MORE. I ESPECIALLY LIKED THE TIP ABOUT TAKING PHOTOS OF FAMILY, FRIENDS, ETC. TO SHARE WITH NEW PEOPLE YOU MEET ON YOUR JOURNEY. WHAT A GREAT IDEA! THIS IS A "MUST BUY" FOR ANYONE GOING SOLO.



3. "Travel Alone & Love It" is a welcome addition to my travel bookshelf. I refer to it before every trip. From the "idea" of a trip to the arrival at destination, every question is answered. Chapters on Travel Insurance and Jet Lag are especially helpful. As a Solo Senior Traveler I found this book to smooth the path and I am eagerly awaiting the next book by Sharon Wingler.



4. I'm a middle aged woman & when I purchased "Travel Alone & Love It" I'd been searching for a women's travel group to join. While reading this book I realized "I can do this". Sharon make's solo travel sound exciting and her tips make sense. I made 2 pages of notes and booked my first solo trip...to London. Thank you Sharon for providing the encouragement I needed to strike out on my own. An excellent read for anyone who's toying with the idea of travel.



5. While another person mentioned that the book was "dated" (it is), it's still a useful starting point. And, Sharon is planning for another book soon that will likely update things to the current state of affairs.
   
   Until I discovered this book, I was beginning to think I'd been born on another planet. The travel industry "spins" the truth to capture a single traveler's dollars. Instead of calling a double-occupancy rate just what it is, travel pros avoid the issue altogether - recommending that single travelers "pair up" or find a "travel partner" - as if this is really what singles want to do. Not me. I specifically want to travel ALONE. I've read too many horror stories about people whose vacations were ruined by being "paired" with someone who:
   
   1) Didn't believe in taking daily baths.
   2) Snored like a beaver at a sawmill.
   3) Loved to party late into the night and was "sure" you'd feel the same.
   
   And these are just the simple horror stories. Some pairing horror stories are far more complicated - and worth avoiding altogether.
   
   This book should point you in the proper directions to travel affordably while, at the same time, remaining "solo" ... in the truest sense of the word.

2 comments about Bronzeville: Black Chicago in Pictures, 1941-1943.

1. Warning: Once you pick this book up, you won't be able to put it down.

   I first skimmed it simply to enjoy the compelling photographs...that alone would have been enough for the money. But then add the text, especially the contemporary accounts from Richard Wright, and you'll feel you've time travelled. I've read about the Great Migration, but this book lives it.

   Chicago was the "black capital" in the 1940's, having supplanted Harlem as the center of black culture and nationalism. It was home to notables like Joe Lewis, Thomas A. Dorsey, Mahalia Jackson, Ebony Magazine and Nation of Islam leader Elijah Muhammad. But the most arresting images and stories here are about the everyday people, ranging from grim images of the overcrowded slums to the more joyful life: a crowd watching the orchestra at the Savoy Ballroom, kids lined up in front of the movie theater, the Easter Parade outside Pilgrim Baptist. The book is divided into four parts: House & Home, Work, Church, Going Out.

   One of the original essays discusses the fact that during the time period, most white media images of blacks perpetuated negative stereotypes, while many black photographers strove to counter this with "the strongest possible contrast to such representation." Which makes this collection even more important in that it presents such a wide range of people and situations, without trying to support an agenda. The photographers simply captured life.

   I agree: This book should be a part of every photography and African American history collection.

   Curator, AfroAmericanHeritage.com




2. Bronzeville, located on the South Side of Chicago, was apparently given that name by the editor of the Chicago Bee and before that it was known as the 'Black Metropolis' because it was the center of black culture in America. Clearly an important place in black history and this stunning photobook shows what life was like there in the early forties.
   
   What I thought was so remarkable about the book was the comprehensive coverage by FSA/OWI photographers Russell Lee, Edwin Rosskam, John Vachon and Jack Delano. With just over a hundred (beautifully printed) photos you'll see homes, workplaces, church activity, street scenes and folks having fun. These images are just so content rich and each has a story to tell. A nice touch is the inclusion of many text pieces taken from the Federal Writers' Project about Chicago. These excerpts are placed near relevant photos.
   
   The book is an excellent production (paper, printing and design) but I just wonder why roman numerals were used for the first thirty-four pages, so that the contents page has two numbering styles. Also there are couple of examples of soft focus photos. Roy Stryker the boss in the Washington headquarters of the FSA/OWI used to punch holes in the negs of photos that he considered poor quality, clearly he missed some. The first photo spread in the book has a street scene on the left that is soft and blurred and the right-hand page has another street scene but pin sharp. Strangely both are by Russell Lee.
   
   Maren Stange is to be congratulated on a first class editorial job with 'Bronzeville'. If you are interested in other FSA/OWI photos of Chicago have a look at 'Chicago and Downstate' (ISBN 0252060784) by Robert Reid and Larry Viskochil. The 162 photos (including some from 'Bronzeville') are a much wider coverage of life in the city and beyond by the same photographers.
   
   ***FOR AN INSIDE LOOK click 'customer images' under the cover.

No comments about Rand McNally Streets of Chicago (Rand McNally Folded Map: Cities).

2 comments about All the Tea in Chicago.

1. After reading in Time Out Chicago that Ms. Blumberg was going to be signing her book at a local tea house I thought it might be a good way to learn a little about something I know nothing about. What a wonderful little guide book! While somewhat slim, it's chock full of useful info. I also purchased a copy for some relatives of ours that visit frequently. And in fact I think I'll buy a few more to give out to guests. As tea becomes more popular I'll look forward to Volume II!



2. Where to find tea in Chicago -- nice reference for the tea lover. Whether you want to buy loose tea or enjoy afternoon tea, it's all here.

5 comments about Celluloid San Francisco: The Film Lover's Guide to Bay Area Movie Locations.

1. I read this book with great interest as a SF resident. Mr. Van Buskirk and Mr. Shank certainly did their homework. Their knowledge of Bay Area movies is fantastic, and their delivery by geography is right on.



2. San Francisco has a timeless beauty that shines through in this beautiful book. It's no wonder so many great films have chosen this city as their backdrop, with it's amazing architecture, history and natural beauty. Van Buskirk's book celebrates this beauty and offers some fascinating inside information on the films that were shot there. Reading through the book gives a chance to revisit some of these classic films. Highly recommended.



3. Anyone who loves anything in the SF Bay Area and in the movies will have a feast with Celluloid San Francisco. I was instantly charmed by the slick title, the elegant cover, the generous amount of photos, movie posters and other evocative details of illustration. Then I checked the index and found my favorite SF movie, Vertigo, represented 17 times. The authors are obviously serious about their passion. The research alone is impressive (an understatement), but there is much more. There is good writing, delivered in small, appetizing bites, there is a sharp eye for detail, mixed with playful irony. The love for SF as a place of culture and adventure jumps off the pages like bubbles of champaign. If you think I am making this up, go to page 94-95, entry no 50: The Fairmont Hotel, and learn that this is where Hitchcock stayed while shooting Vertigo, where "Orson Welles unexpectantly encountered William Randolph Hearst, the model for Citizen Kane's megalomaniacal character" in the elevator, where Tony Bennett first sang "I Left My Heart in San Francisco", where Marlene Dietrich......
   But don't believe me -- see for yourself.
   Renate Stendhal, author of "Gertrude Stein in Words and Pictures"



4. In "The Other Sister"...1998...Juliette Lewis, Jim says the church in the final wedding scene is St. Peter and Paul. Wrong! The church used is St. Francis of Assisi on Vallejo.
   Omitted two movies with scenes of San Francisco:
   ...The Gathering of Eagles...1963...Rock Hudson
   ...The Killer Elite...1975...James Caan
   While these items are not major, a guide should be complete and thoroughly researched. I feel that Mr. Van Buskirk gets a B- for this guide and a two star rating.



5. "Celluloid San Francisco" is a rather exhaustive guide to movie locations around San Francisco. In fact, for my purposes as a tourist visiting the Bay Area, it was a bit too overstuffed to be easy to use. It is quite crammed with sites used in obscure B-movies (and, I daresay, C-movies) and for random scenes in not especially memorable TV shows. A lot of the entries are also rather repetitive and have the feel of being simply padding.
   
   As a "Vertigo" fan, I found "Footsteps In The Fog: Alfred Hitchcock's San Francisco" a lot more useful and much better written, though it was limited to Hitchcock movies, so I must admit that I had to turn to "Celluloid San Francisco" to find the sites of Bacall's art deco apartment from "Dark Passage" and Mel Brooks' glass elevator ride in "High Anxiety."

3 comments about A Native's Guide to Chicago, Fourth Edition (Native's Guide).

1. Now in a thoroughly updated and significantly expanded fourth edition, A Native's Guide To Chicago continues to be the premier guide to what Chicago has to offer its residents, suburbanites, out-of-town tourists, scheduled business travelers. Every chapter provides "user friendly" mainstream information and offbeat suggestions side by side. Ranging from touring, recreation, food, and entertainment, to lodging, shopping, walking, and keeping informed, A Native's Guide To Chicago is enhanced with photos, maps, an index, and is a "must" for anyone wanting to spend quality time making memories in America's foremost heartland city.



2. One of the best Chicago guides, from streets to attractions and beyond... and the ONLY guide that I keep near my desk!
   
   Lake Claremont Press is a small operation with awesome dedication to doing the midwest right and I trust them much more than any corporate-produced glossy guide; Native's Guide is GREAT!



3. Very simply put, this is the ABSOLUTE BEST, MOST INCLUSIVE guide book to Chicago that you will EVER find, so stop searching, and buy this guide book!
   
   A Native's Guide to Chicago, Fourth Edition (Native's Guide)