#316604 in Books University Of Chicago Press 1998-05-08 1998-05-08Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.00 x 1.00 x 6.00l; 1.15 #File Name: 0226342441382 pages
Review
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful. Warning; this one is a tough; but important; book to read.By David EcaleThis one is a tough; but important; read. It covers the astonishingly large number of conflicts as the black population of Chicago grew during and (mostly) after World War 2. The book mainly covers the conflicts between 1945 and 1961. One of the most famous being the Cicero riot (more below).The most difficult part of this book is the extreme detail. Virtually every conflict; from smallest to largest; is covered. You can be overwhelmed by the detail very quickly. Unless you are seriously interested in the details; I suggest that you get a copy of this book from your local library; or inter-librery loan program; and peruse it before purchasing this item. Special note for those who live; or have lived in Chicago its immediate suburbs: BUY THIS BOOK!The Cicero housing riot: This was caused when a white individual crossed the line from Chicago to Cicero (along Cicero Ave.) and rented an apartment. When it was discovered that it was a mixed race couple (the other member being black); all hell broke loose the riot ensued with the intention of ejecting the family from their new apartment. The goal of the populace was to keep the line between Chicago Cicero a hard demographic line between Black (Chicago) and White (Cicero).The book details the incremental growth of the ghetto on the West Side of Chicago as it grew from Black population pressure. It also details some of the initial attempts at Slum Clearance. (See also: Blueprint for Disaster: The Unraveling of Chicago Public Housing; for more details.) The problem here is that as the slums were either cleared (Slum Clearance); or re-created (the high rise Housing Projects); the city lost its tax base many institutions that depended on paying customers began to fail. The best example of this (not covered in the book) is St. Ann's Hospital; which ran out of money to continue operations as it's clientele changed from paying insurance covered customers to charity cases. Sadly; too much charity not enough income doomed the hospital. The nuns gave up closed the joint.2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. Sweet home Chicago?By stevenj2I am reading early chapters of the [Kindle edtion]and am riveted by the wealth of information and narrative which is done well enough to bring me on a visit in my mind's eye. Which overcomes the sparse amount of graphics and phtos and also well overcomes bits of Progressive [conventional] wisdom I take issue with.The subject strongly resonates with me because of time in the mid 1970s in an island within part of the subject 'black belt'; at college in IIT as an architecture student. We were quite aware and wary of the seemingly endless line of the projects both north and south of us but not of what was there before the campus construction of the 1950s-60s and also of what was there at that time; beyond the nabes I knew. I've gotten some answers with this book.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Can't put it down...By memphissoleI am giving this 5 stars since 6 were not available. AMAZING book. I grew up in the area and was totally unaware of what took place. There is a BIG reason for that; which the book will explain. Anyone who grew up near the south side of Chicago needs to read this.
