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City of Scoundrels: The 12 Days of Disaster That Gave Birth to Modern Chicago Audiobook
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(3.28) - 36 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
When 1919 began, the city of Chicago seemed on the verge of transformation. Modernizers had an audacious, expensive plan to turn the city from a brawling, unglamorous place into “the Metropolis of the World.” But just as the dream seemed within reach, pandemonium broke loose and the city’s highest ambitions were suddenly under attack by the same unbridled energies that had given birth to them in the first place. It began on a balmy Monday afternoon when a blimp in flames crashed through the roof of a busy downtown bank, incinerating those inside. Within days, a racial incident at a hot, crowded South Side beach spiraled into one of the worst urban riots in American history, followed by a transit strike that paralyzed the city. Then, when it seemed as if things could get no worse, police searching for a six-year-old girl discovered her body in a dark North Side basement. City of Scoundrels captures the tumultuous birth of the modern American city, with all of its light and dark aspects in vivid relief.
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"A truly frightening tale of chaos enveloping a major American city. An aviation disaster, a transit strike, the murder of a child and a race riot--all within 12 days. Good government....even semi-competent government might have ameliorated some of the effects of this tragic period, but politicians acting only in their own narrow self-interest allowed the city to turn in on itself with disastrous result. The truly frightening realization is that 1919 is not a hair's width away from today in historical terms. It could all happen again. It will happen again. Lax regulations, paid for politicians, overworked law enforcement, demonized public employees and a sad, fatal streak of racism all present themselves in today's America. A fuse waiting for a spark."
— Boyd (4 out of 5 stars)
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“Gary Krist has crafted a wild and appropriately explosive tale about mayhem, murder, corruption, and paranoia…This taut, hour-by-hour account of twelve days that forever changed the city will thrill history buffs and fiction fans alike.”
— Karen Abbott, bestselling author of Sin in the Second City and American Rose -
“A lavishly intricate, well-paced account of a great city lashed to the breaking point by a political perfect storm.”
— New York Times -
“Spectacular and vivid…City of Scoundrels hits with the force of Lake Michigan’s winds.”
— Washington Post -
“A lavishly intricate, well-paced account of a great city lashed to the breaking point by a political perfect storm.”
— New York Times Book Review -
“Krist serves up a solid, well-informed, and vibrant slice of urban history.”
— Publishers Weekly
City of Scoundrels Listener Reviews
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" Being from Chicago, this is a part of its history of which I knew absolutely nothing. How fun to learn more about this city and to recognize many of the places mentioned. "
— Sgilbert, 2/18/2014 -
" interesting history of the politics of Chicago and how 12 days changed the city. I would recommend this to anyone who would like to learn more about Chicago history following the World Exposition. "
— Dani, 2/14/2014 -
" This book is super dramatic. I love it, it keeps you learning and interested, I personally read it in 3 days. This is one I will definatley keep on my shelf and probabley be able to reread in a month or so. I enjoyed this book very much. "
— Icia, 1/26/2014 -
" The story starts out so compelling, it is difficult to put down. For me this is especially true because of the years I spent working in Chicago's Loop where The Wingfoot Express had it's journey and ending in 1919. Krist's premise is that this tragedy combined with emerging Chicago politics, all the race riots, and a kidnapping which took place within twelve days "gave birth" to modern Chicago. I'm not sure I agree with this. Well into the book, I found the endless bickering and schemeing between the mayor of Chicago and the governor of Illinois rather tedious. Still, I admired the mayor's ability to take some of Chicago's archtecture to new heights. "
— Kathleen, 1/24/2014 -
" A great book about the series of events in July of 1919 in Chicago that helped shape the city, from an airship disaster to a murder trial to race riots. A real excellent read for anyone interested in history, particularly the history of Chicago. "
— Justin, 1/20/2014 -
" fascinating look at the early days of the city of Chicago and the way politics and people shape our world - good on audio "
— Linda, 12/5/2013 -
" Interesting account of the political machine in the early 1900's. "
— Robert, 11/29/2013 -
" Interesting book with a lot of surprising Chicago history. "
— Joy, 11/9/2013 -
" Interesting history of Chicago politics. "
— Eli, 11/3/2013 -
" Learned a bit about The political background of Chicago/Illinois. It wasn't worth the time and effort. "
— Suzanne, 10/24/2013 -
" A rip-roaring good story, exactly what you would expect when redng about Chicago. Full of larger than life characters and an amazing string of events made all the more interesting because it's all true! "
— Vicki, 7/21/2013 -
" I was not engaged in this short history. I did not find the writing to be particularly compelling. The best written part concerned the dirigible disaster, otherwise it was pretty tired and thin. Not much more to say on the matter. "
— Wanda, 7/3/2013 -
" Doesn't live up to it's title. It says it is 12 days of disaster, but doesn't really come across as disasters. The author ties together several events but doesn't pull the book together. "
— Joan, 12/22/2012 -
" Not nearly as interesting as I thought it would be. "
— Ashley, 12/7/2012 -
" A very interesting story of a tragedy in Chicago history the most Chicagoans are unaware of. "
— David, 9/8/2012 -
" Some valuable insight into the shaping of Chicago. "
— John, 7/15/2012 -
" Good solid non-fiction. Wasn't as riveting a some of the other reviews led me to believe. But now I have a better appreciation for the history of the city of Chicago in the era immediately following WWI. "
— Krista, 5/2/2012
About Gary Krist
Gary Krist has written for the New York Times, Esquire, Salon, the Washington Post Book World, and other publications. He is the author of the acclaimed The White Cascade as well as several works of fiction.
About Rob Shapiro
Rob Shapiro is a musician, writer, voice actor, and Earphones Award–winning narrator. He performed several seasons of radio comedy on Minneapolis Public Radio and voiced the titular lion in Leo the Lion. He is a musician and composer with his critically acclaimed band Populuxe. He is also a business consultant and software system designer.