{"product_id":"the-encyclopedia-of-chicago","title":"The Encyclopedia of Chicago","description":"\u003cp\u003eOne of the great American metropolises  Chicago rises out of the prairie in the heart of the country  buffeted by winds coming off the plains and cooled by the waters of the inland sea of Lake Michigan. Chicago is a city of size and mass  the cradle of modern architecture  the freight hub of the nation  a city built on slaughterhouses and cacophonous financial trading tempered by some of the finest cultural institutions in the world. While many histories have been written of the city  none can claim the scope and breadth of the long-awaited Encyclopedia of Chicago.  Developed by the Newberry Library with the cooperation of the Chicago Historical Society  The Encyclopedia of Chicago is the definitive historical reference on metropolitan Chicago. More than a decade in the making  the Encyclopedia brings together hundreds of historians  journalists  and experts on everything from airlines to Zoroastrians to explore all aspects of the rich world of Chicagoland  from its geological prehistory to the present.  The main alphabetical section of the Encyclopedia  comprising more than 1 400 entries  covers the full range of Chicagos neighborhoods  suburbs  and ethnic groups  as well as the citys cultural institutions  technology and science  architecture  religions  immigration  transportation  business history  labor  music  health and medicine  and hundreds of other topics. The Encyclopedia has the widest geographical reach of any city encyclopedia of its kind  encompassing eight of the regions counties  including suburbs. Nearly 400 thumbnail maps pinpoint Chicago neighborhoods and suburban municipalities; these maps are complemented by hundreds of black-and-white and color photographs and thematic maps that bring the history of metropolitan Chicago to life. Additionally  contributors have provided lengthy interpretive essayswoven into the alphabetical section but set off graphicallythat take a long view of such topics as the built environment  literary images of Chicago  and the citys often legendary and passionate sports culture.  The Encyclopedia also offers a comprehensive biographical dictionary of more than 2 000 individuals important to Chicago history and a detailed listing of approximately 250 of the citys historically significant business enterprises. A color insert features a timeline of Chicago history and photo essays exploring nine pivotal years in this history.  The Encyclopedia of Chicago is one of the most significant historical projects undertaken in the last twenty years  and it has everything in it to engage the most curious historian as well as settle the most boisterous barroom dispute. If you think you know how Chicago got its name  if you have always wondered how the Chicago Fire actually started and how it spread  if you have ever marveled at the Sears Tower or the reversal of the Chicago Riverif you have affection  admiration  and appreciation for this City of the Big Shoulders  this Wild Onion  this Urbs in Horto  then The Encyclopedia of Chicago is for you.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"My Store","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44946186829877,"sku":"ByrdShop_0226310159","price":29.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0627\/8139\/0901\/files\/9780226310152_10ce3a95-b721-4d74-b54c-1b49b0579b18.jpg?v=1770136126","url":"https:\/\/atxbooks.com\/products\/the-encyclopedia-of-chicago","provider":"ATX Books","version":"1.0","type":"link"}