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Chicago Days : 150 Defining Moments in the Life of a Great City
Journey back through time to relive events that shaped the Chicago metropolitan area and contributed to its world-class reputation. Chicago Days is a collection of 150 essays and 500 dramatic photographs compiled from the voluminous files of the Chicago Tribune , the Chicago Historical Society, and other important collections.
- GenresHistoryCitiesNonfiction
288 pages, Paperback
First published September 1, 1996
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71 people want to read
About the author
Chicago Tribune
136 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 - 5 of 5 reviews
August 12, 2013
The chronological retelling of the biggest stories covered by the Chicago Tribune over the last 100 years. Complete with quotes and pictures from the original articles. The essays are contributed from experts or eyewitness reflections. Most are written with intimate knowledge and placed in historical prospective. And excellent overview in summary. A super bathroom book. I purchase it often for new friends that just moved to the windy city. (98)d
March 10, 2008
a perfect coffee table book with a lot of information. read it last weekend and learned so much about this great city.
September 29, 2015
Chicago Days: 150 Defining Moments in the Life of a Great City is a captivating collection of approximately 150 essays and over 500 photographs encapsulating the life and history of the nation’s third-largest city. Chicago Days’ contents were assembled from the archives of “The Chicago Tribune” and the Chicago Historical Society and edited by the staff members of “The Chicago Tribune”.
The book is laid-out similarly to a newspaper, with essays and articles accompanying several photographs dedicated to each essay. None of the essays are longer than 2-3 pages (with at least 1/3 of each page dedicated to photographs), so each topic is concise yet provides a plethora of historical facts while reading like a short story. Biases are not present; each essay focuses on the facts, and citations are plentiful.
Compared to other history books about Chicago, Chicago Days stands out with its engaging, professional writing and a variety of interesting photographs (many of which this reader had not seen before). Were I teaching a class on Chicago History, I would not hesitate to choose Chicago Days as one of my required reading selections. I would also recommend it to anyone who loves Chicago and/or wants to learn more about this great city.
The book is laid-out similarly to a newspaper, with essays and articles accompanying several photographs dedicated to each essay. None of the essays are longer than 2-3 pages (with at least 1/3 of each page dedicated to photographs), so each topic is concise yet provides a plethora of historical facts while reading like a short story. Biases are not present; each essay focuses on the facts, and citations are plentiful.
Compared to other history books about Chicago, Chicago Days stands out with its engaging, professional writing and a variety of interesting photographs (many of which this reader had not seen before). Were I teaching a class on Chicago History, I would not hesitate to choose Chicago Days as one of my required reading selections. I would also recommend it to anyone who loves Chicago and/or wants to learn more about this great city.
August 18, 2008
great information for chicagoans
December 27, 2015
A coffee table book, with stories that can pique interest enough to prompt further research.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews