1 comments about Alternative Chicago: Unique Destinations Beyond the Magnificent Mile.

1. Unlike most travel guides on Chicago, Bill Franz's Alternative Chicago is designed for readers interested in what Chicago has to offer the visitor regarding counter-culture and neighborhood eccentric attractions. Franz offers a neighborhood-by-neighborhood exploration of hundreds of distinctively Chicago places like "Smuggler's Row", "Medusa's Circle", "The Ennui Cafe", and "Dr. Wax". This superbly original compendium of addresses, maps, store hours, and telephone numbers will enable the reader to create a truly unique, memorable, off-the-beaten-path trip whether they are an out-of-town newcomer or a long-time denizen and resident.

No comments about Succeeding as an International Student in the United States and Canada (Chicago Guides to Academic Life).

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.

5 comments about Oddball Wisconsin: A Guide to Some Really Strange Places (Oddball series).

1. Where does this guy get all this information? I thought the book would only be full of goofy things like monolithic cheese monuments and the world's largest six pack. Although it has that in spades, there are also plenty of historical places to see, like the shrine to the birthplace of the Republican party and the grave of Edward Gein, inspiration for Silence of the Lambs.

   Growing up on the west coast, we used to watch movies about the midwest and say things like, "Wouldn't you go absolutely insane in some small town out there?" Oddball Wisconsin has answered my question.

   This is a great book if you're in the area or just want to get out of Chicago for a while.




2. Most people when they go on vacation go to national parks like the Grand Canyon or theme parks like Disneyland. How many would go to see the Freshwater Fishing Hall of Fame with a giant embalmed worm on display? Or how about the world's biggest corkscrew? A serial killer's grave? The author saw these things and more in Wisconsin and compiled them into this book. It's an enjoyable journey through Wisconsin's strange side and is recommended for die-hard road trippers or those interested in America's stranger side.



3. If you have an appetite for the curious or offbeat, this book will fill the bill. I don't have plans to visit all the places and things mentioned in this book, but just sitting and reading it was a hoot. Not just a guide to the oddball, but histories and trivia are included. This is Wisconsin at its best.



4. This is a fun and interesting book about Wisconsin.
   Each chapter, according to areas of the state, gets better and better. I couldn't put it down!



5. This is one of the most enjoyable books I've ever read about my home state--in the midst of so much (generally) endearing weirdness, Jerome Pohlen manages to capture the spirit of this place better than any "Discover Wisconsin" ad campaign I've ever seen.
   
   Pohlen casts a broad swath over the entire state, even above Highway 8 "up nort" (a lot of people tend to forget that we even exist, so it's always refreshing to find someone who hasn't), in search of the strange, the homespun, the downright wacky, even the morbid. And he finds it in spades. Whether you're a local Sconny looking for some ideas for day trips, or an out-of-stater passing through on the way to the Dells, there's something in this book that you'll feel compelled to stop & see. Well, if you're into fiberglass oddities and going somewhere other than Door County, that is.

4 comments about Frommer's Chicago Day by Day (Frommer's Day by Day).

1. This book is a lifesaver! Fantastic maps (of streets and subway stations) and hundreds of listings of places and things to see, visit, and taste make this book the key to a great trip to Chicago. The book is broken down into easy to use sections like dining, hotels, day trips, art & entertainment, etc. Any thing you want to do in Chicago is listed and described and you can get there easily using the maps in each section. I highly recommend this book. I don't know how we would have seen Chicago without it!



2. This book strutured my visit to Chicago. It's a big city. Where do you go first? How do I get on the right spot, etc. This guide helps you to find all the interesting places.Small size, excellent maps, good pictures and accurate information,that's what a tourist needs during his exploration either on foot or other transportation.
   I didn't do all the 17 smart ways to see the city yet. I need some more days. I plan to come again and will take this guide with me.



3. I used this book to plan a long weekend in Chicago (November 2006) and couldn't be happier with the results. The only slightly negative comment I have about the book is that not all prices were completely accurate. It seems admission to some museums, etc. have increased by a few dollars, but I wasn't too bent out of shape about that. I really liked how the book lists the top spots to hit depending on how many days you plan to spend in the city. I highly recommend the following (as did the book): Architechture Foundation's River Cruise, Second City Comedy Club, Art Institute of Chicago, Shedd Aquarium, and Corner Bakery (for breakfast or a quick lunch). This book also comes with maps that are extremely useful. There is a train (subway) map and a general city map that are right on the inside cover, so it is very easy to get to. A larger, more detailed map is also included. Plus, this book is the perfect size to fit in my purse so we could carry it with us all day long. I could go on and on, but my trip to Chicago was great and I believe this book had a lot to do with that.



4. I came to Chicago for a wedding and stayed a couple of extra days. My friends could not believe how much I got to see, and this book was a tremendous help. There are detailed sections on several of Chicago's neighborhoods, which is great if you are the type of tourist who (like me) enjoys just walking around and getting a feel for the city. But there was also great information about landmarks, parks, entertainment, etc.
   
   My only suggestion would be that if there is someplace you are DYING to go, call ahead as there were a couple of addresses that were wrong, especially in the Andersonville section. Usually off by a couple of blocks, so it could be that things just moved since the book came out. Also, the restaurant suggestions looked pretty good but I don't think any book could beat www.yelp.com when looking for places to eat/drink.

5 comments about The Chicago Outfit (IL) (Images of America).

1. This is a fantastic book. A lot of pictures that have never been seen until now. If you don't have it, get it!



2. This is an exceptionally concise overview of organized crime in Chicago and Cook County, Illinois. The text is supported with a large number of archival photographs, including many which have not been available to the general public before. A significant number of the pictures appear to have originated with the Chicago Crime Commission, an independent investigatory body which was established at the beginning of the Prohibition Era. That the commission continues to exist today tells you that the Chicago Outfit continued to operate and flourish long after the repeal of the Eighteenth Amendment and the Volstead Act.
   
   Many of these photographs were originally intended as to be used as resources to support law enforcement activities and many were not published in the print media. Each chapter division begins with a detailed summary of the particular decade under examination and is followed by a series of photographs with descriptive captions. Binder's comments are brief and precise. The book focuses upon Capone and his successors, but also contains some information on their precursors and rivals.
   
   If you only have time to read a single volume on organized crime in Chicago and its suburbs, "The Chicago Outfit" can serve as your "Cliff Notes." It can also be used as a convenient reference work and starting point for those interested in reading more upon the subject before they take up the heavier tomes. You might well find yourself engrossed in another book and pausing to seek out a photograph in "The Chicago Outfit" before you resume your reading.



3. This book is a great overview pictoral of the Chicago Outfit with a focus on the early years. For me it was a goldmine as I was doing a genealogy search as well.



4. I thought that the research was excellent and the information was presented in an interesting, yet educational format. Having lived near Chicago and visiting many, many times it was great to get the goods on the organized crime and some of the background on what made Chicago what it is today. I am personal friends with the neice of one of the books long running Outfit standouts and we have mentioned this book to a lot of her travel groups. Two thumbs up for the pictures and descriptions. Mayor Daily may have tried to wipe out the past in the 1960's, but history is what history was and closing your eyes, sticking your fingers in your ears while yelling, "la-la-ls-la" while having important landmarks torn down is not the way to deal with this bit of history.



5. Got it as a gift and absolutely love it. FILLED with photos and accurate info. A must have for the avid Chicago Mob collector!

4 comments about Newcomer's Handbook for Moving to and Living in Chicago: Including Evanston, Oak Park, Schaumburg, Wheaton, and Naperville (Newcomer's Handbook for Chicago).

1. I'm around 30 and single, about to move to Chicago for a job, and bought this book while I'm considering what area. The most useful thing this had was for each neighborhood, a 2-3 page summary of what the area's like, what it's historically been famous for, what types of businesses you find there. That type of information is available in other places, though.
   
   THe single most useful thing was a couple of sentances at the end of each neighborhood summarizing that it's 'best appreciated by serious urban-dwellers', or 'great for family but not much to do', or 'an interesting place that, because of crime issues, is not for everyone, you should visit before you choose to live here' (not real quotes, just examples)... *this* was the information I really needed. And it was only a few sentances.
   
   Aside from that information about neighborhoods, the other 2/3 of the book included information about moving (done that many times in my life) and how to evaluate an apartment and deal with a landlord (done that plenty, too), information about schools and daycare and places that kids would like (have none, so another chapter or two I didn't read), and where to find home furnishings and groceries (focused mainly on where to find the major shopping centers, which I'd think would be obvious).
   
   Basically, it's a book that, had I been shopping in a bookstore, I would've thumbed through, found the sentances I needed, and put back on the shelf. Maybe if I had kids, or hadn't been finding myself a new apartment and moving myself into it every few years, the book would be more helpful. But hey, just because I say it's not news doesn't mean you already know it, too - get the book if you think this would be helpful in your situation.



2. This is the greatest book that I have ever read.



3. I bought this book the second day I was in Chicago. I wish I'd bought it before my move! This book was extremely helpful in not only orientating me with the basic neighborhoods/geography of the city, but it was a great reference when it came time to do all that administrative stuff associated with moving. It tells you where the DMV, post office, library, police station, everything (!) is. It tells you where to get your parking stickers - wish I'd known that right away since I got a parking ticket my first day in the city! This book is a great guide for anyone moving to Chicago, even those of us who are experienced movers but need information beyond how to find a place. I've only had my copy 3 weeks, and it's already dog-eared.



4. I got this before my move to Chicago and it was really helpful having all the information in one place. I still use it and highly recommend the sections about children. If you have kids and are moving here, you will really appreciate the suggestions.

4 comments about Zagat 2007/08 Chicago Restaurants: Including Milwaukee.

1. I think these make the perfect gift to anyone relocating to a 'Zagat City'. I really like how the editors construct the descriptions by combining actual reviewer quotes submitted in their survey process. Main restaurant listing is alphabetical, but includes seperate lists by location, cuisine, special features, etc.
   
   If anything, buy one just to sit on your coffee table.



2. I've been living in Chicago for a year and a half. Before buying this guide I used to go to expensive and not so good restaurants and I was always complaining about it. After buying this guide I found out some amazing places at reasonable prices. Worth every penny!



3. the reviews of the restaurants is too brief and generally give insuficient information to make an lntelligent choice.



4. Poor guide.
   
   The food recomendations are mainly well known food chains. They seem to have failed to seek enough for original places.

5 comments about The Encyclopedia of Chicago.

1. This is a wonderful compulation of information for the avid history fan or an educator within the history field. The book is very well organized and has various maps from different eras. I have to admit that this book was a ten year project by my college Professor Ann D. Keating and her colleagues and that because of this fact I might be inclined to say nothing but good things about the book. The fact is that this is the most complete book that I have ever owned concerning the history of Chicago, and if you can't find it in this book it probably doesn't exist. Happy researching to all those historians out there who want to learn about the Chicago area.



2. Well made book with all the facts about a city I love very much.



3. This book is amazing. It is, by far, the most complete compedium on all things Chicago that there is.
   Many of the entries are brief, but some major topics get full essay treatment. The section on architecture is a fantastic introduction to the architectural history of Chicago.
   
   This is an encyclopedia, and therefore it contains information on a huge range of topics, but is not exceptionally detailed. It does provide reference to related topics within the book, and it provides a number of sources for further reading.
   
   The book employees many excellent charts and maps, as well as a very thorough timeline on the history of this city.
   
   I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves this great city and wants to know more.



4. Great resource for a FANTASTIC town! I wouldn't want to live anywhere else.



5. I bought this book as a Christmas present for my sister off a recommendation and I spent all Christmas morning reading through it. I finally had to order one for myself. A lot of information, but so interesting to learn about. I highly recommend it to anyone looking for an interesting guide to learning about Chicago.

1 comments about Hour Chicago: Twenty-five 60-Minute Self-guided Tours of Chicago's Great Architecture and Art.

1. Other guidebooks can tell you where to eat, where to stay, what to wear or what plays to go to. But if you love cities because of their art and architecture, if you want to get off the tour bus, THIS is the guidebook you want.
   
   The author is the perfect guide. After a few pages, you feel like you've gotten to know her, and you're eager to get her opinions on whatever she shows you on the next page. She's not afraid to say when she thinks a building is dull, which is a nice change from the hype of most tourist guides. But when she likes something, it's obvious. Somehow she can explain what makes a painting, sculpture or building great, in just a few choice words. You get the feeling she knows way more than she has space to share. But "share" is the word. She doesn't talk down to the reader, but she also knows that not everyone has a masters in fine art and architecture. There's a great glossary and good maps, which you'll need, because this guide doesn't stop at the Art Institute and the Loop. It takes you into the neighborhoods for galleries, architecture and smaller museums with collections that are world-class, but are overshadowed by the Art Institute.
   
   The book is the perfect size for a backpack or fanny pack -- you can tell it's meant to be USED. The prose is clean and direct, and should not be a problem for tourists whose 1st language is not English.
   
   It's organized into short tours that you really can take if you only have an hour, but you can also string them together if you're lucky enough to have a weekend or a lifetime. (This book is not just for tourists. It's must for people who live here, especially if you already think you know the city.)
   
   What I like most about this book is that it seems to have a special place in its heart for the person who is by himself or herself. Anyone who's travelled to a great city alone has felt at times the lack of a companion to share the experience with. You find yourself wanting to turn to someone and see your excitement reflected back. In "Hour Chicago,"that person is the author. You feel like, whether she's physically there or not, she wrote this book for you and is hoping to see her excitement reflected back in you.