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American Millstone: An Examination of the Nation's Permanent Underclass
Depicts the harsh conditions of life of impoverished people living in a section of Chicago and examines the impact of poverty on American society
307 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1986
About the author
Chicago Tribune
139 books10 followersThe Chicago Tribune is an American daily newspaper based in Chicago, Illinois, owned by Tribune Publishing. Founded in 1847, and formerly self-styled as the "World's Greatest Newspaper" (the slogan from which its integrated WGN radio and television received their call letters), it remains the most-read daily newspaper in the Chicago metropolitan area and the Great Lakes region. In 2022, it had the seventh-highest circulation of any newspaper in the United States.
In the 1850s, under Joseph Medill, the Chicago Tribune became closely associated with the Illinois politician Abraham Lincoln, and the Republican Party's progressive wing. In the 20th century, under Medill's grandson Robert R. McCormick, its reputation was that of a crusading newspaper with an outlook that promoted American conservatism and opposed the New Deal. Its reporting and commentary reached markets outside Chicago through family and corporate relationships at the New York Daily News and the Washington Times-Herald. In the 1960s, its corporate parent owner, Tribune Company, sought to expand its market. In 2008, for the first time in its over-a-century-and-a-half history, its editorial page endorsed a Democrat, Barack Obama, a U.S. Senator from Illinois, for U.S. president.
Originally published solely as a broadsheet, the Tribune announced on January 13, 2009, that it would continue publishing as a broadsheet for home delivery, but would publish in tabloid format for newsstand, news box, and commuter station sales. The change, however, proved unpopular with readers; in August 2011, the Tribune discontinued the tabloid edition, returning to its established broadsheet format through all distribution channels.
The Tribune was owned by parent company Tribune Publishing. In May 2021, Tribune Publishing was acquired by Alden Global Capital, which operates its media properties through Digital First Media.
In the 1850s, under Joseph Medill, the Chicago Tribune became closely associated with the Illinois politician Abraham Lincoln, and the Republican Party's progressive wing. In the 20th century, under Medill's grandson Robert R. McCormick, its reputation was that of a crusading newspaper with an outlook that promoted American conservatism and opposed the New Deal. Its reporting and commentary reached markets outside Chicago through family and corporate relationships at the New York Daily News and the Washington Times-Herald. In the 1960s, its corporate parent owner, Tribune Company, sought to expand its market. In 2008, for the first time in its over-a-century-and-a-half history, its editorial page endorsed a Democrat, Barack Obama, a U.S. Senator from Illinois, for U.S. president.
Originally published solely as a broadsheet, the Tribune announced on January 13, 2009, that it would continue publishing as a broadsheet for home delivery, but would publish in tabloid format for newsstand, news box, and commuter station sales. The change, however, proved unpopular with readers; in August 2011, the Tribune discontinued the tabloid edition, returning to its established broadsheet format through all distribution channels.
The Tribune was owned by parent company Tribune Publishing. In May 2021, Tribune Publishing was acquired by Alden Global Capital, which operates its media properties through Digital First Media.
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
October 12, 2025
It's an engrossing subject and read, however it's a collection of a newspaper's editorials. It's not fine literature or an engrossing research paper. It should be enjoyed over a long stretch of time periodically picked up and glanced at for an article or two. If chugged and gulped at once it would be exceptionally repetitive and depressing.
Naturally as a Chicago Newspaper's work about ghettos, it has a leftist bent, however it's not subtle and discursive, but mild and open. Hardly an issue. They actually give conservative thought plenty of space.
The book's somewhat dated, but I'd recommend it.
The era of cabrini green is over and the various ghettos have been spread about the cities and suburbs via section 8 so we have no great hells such as before, however it's still a very politically relevent piece as we still have the people and our society still has the same internal divisions. This book might be the perfect test to see one's morals and political beliefs. How do you feel about North Lawndale's people? How should they be handled? Do you want them near you?
Moreover, it shows how bad things csn get and how nothing will be done. Take the ghetto as a warning.
It feels like a spiritual succesor to Left Behind In Rosedale. I wonder if there's a gentification or demolition book to make it a trilogy.
Naturally as a Chicago Newspaper's work about ghettos, it has a leftist bent, however it's not subtle and discursive, but mild and open. Hardly an issue. They actually give conservative thought plenty of space.
The book's somewhat dated, but I'd recommend it.
The era of cabrini green is over and the various ghettos have been spread about the cities and suburbs via section 8 so we have no great hells such as before, however it's still a very politically relevent piece as we still have the people and our society still has the same internal divisions. This book might be the perfect test to see one's morals and political beliefs. How do you feel about North Lawndale's people? How should they be handled? Do you want them near you?
Moreover, it shows how bad things csn get and how nothing will be done. Take the ghetto as a warning.
It feels like a spiritual succesor to Left Behind In Rosedale. I wonder if there's a gentification or demolition book to make it a trilogy.
February 18, 2017
3½ stars, maybe 4.
Good book. Read it here.
This book, consisting of 29 chapters, each of which is about 2000 words, first appeared in The Chicago Tribune between September 19 and December 1, 1985. Each chapter reports upon one or another aspect of daily life in Chicago's Lawndale neighborhood. I thought the whole book was pretty good, though some chapters were more interesting than others. The overall portrait is very unflattering, a major reason why the series of reports was criticized.
Read Fr. Michael Pfleger's 2015 review here.
Read the Trib's 2015 editorial here.
Feb. 18, 2017
Good book. Read it here.
This book, consisting of 29 chapters, each of which is about 2000 words, first appeared in The Chicago Tribune between September 19 and December 1, 1985. Each chapter reports upon one or another aspect of daily life in Chicago's Lawndale neighborhood. I thought the whole book was pretty good, though some chapters were more interesting than others. The overall portrait is very unflattering, a major reason why the series of reports was criticized.
Read Fr. Michael Pfleger's 2015 review here.
Read the Trib's 2015 editorial here.
Feb. 18, 2017
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews