Never a City So Real: A Walk in Chicago Audiobook

" This was another great book by Alex Kotlowitz. It is much more uplifting than There Are No Children Here, while still real and gritty. I loved all of the individual stories, especially when I could relate to a certain neighborhood or group. Awesome book! "

" Fantastic! absolutely love this author and wish he would write more!! made me incredibly homesick and validated my opinions about my hometown. when i am describing the creature culture of the second city to other folks, apparently Kotlowitz and I absolutely agree about the commonalities in character in people from such a diverse city all squished in together. highly recommended. "

" I thought it was good. "

" Really liked this! I want to go to Manny's on the South Side now and spend more time in Albany Park (did not know anything about AP before I started reading this book. Very interesting history!). "

" I've lived in Chicago for a year now - I wouldn't have been ready to appreciate this book before now - but it's a wonderful set of stories about the political, racial, and economic realities of the city that are often hidden from clear view. A must-read for anyone who's moved to Chicago and finds themselves pondering its unique features. "

" An interesting twist - take some not so well know people who have influence Chicago and tell their stories. It takes you to corners of of city an tourist wouldn't except to go. I read it before visiting Chicago. Although it didn't change what I came to see, it did give me a feel for the city and it's diversity. "

" I really liked this book. Kotlowitz tells the histories of various Chicago neighborhoods from the perspectives of some of their longtime residents. It's not preachy but illustrates that the city's history is more than just the Daleys and Marshall Field. Quick read too. "

" makes you proud to live in chicago. "

" One of the Crown Journeys series. This one is really more a meditation on working class chicago in the 20-21st century than a travel book about the city but that doesn't matter. It's well worth reading "

" One of the best books about Chicago ever. Written about the people who live here, for the people who live here. "

" Another glorious ode to Chicago, complete with cross-references to previously applauded book, Chicago: City on the Make. "

" Profiling a handful of Chicagoans proves to work wonders with this book. Loved reading about the different insights and struggles many of these people had in order to make it in this city. The last line in the book brings it all together: "this city is real." "

" Interesting look at a few specific neighborhoods in Chicago - none of which I've spent any time in, but still pretty cool. "

" It is rare that I don't finish a book but I just couldn't slog through it. A dated and cliche view of Chicago's neighborhoods. "

" A short, interesting read about the character of Chicago, with a smattering of cultural diversity covered in different areas of Chicago. He interviews interesting people and shares their stories. Something about this author that makes for a pleasant read. He seems to genuinely enjoy people. "

" A great collage of what Chicagoans are. I plan to re-read, as the writing is great, and the stories are so specific, but so Chicago. "

" I've read quite a bit about Chicago, but I learned even more about the city in this brief collection of essays about interesting and mostly not-well-known Chicago characters. "

" One of my favorite writers. I think it was this book that made me realize that. A quick, easy read, a series of magazine pieces almost. I read it in two days, didn't take long. Captures a lot of what the city is like too, I think. "

" Well-chosen set of neighborhoods (including the suburb of Cicero) as a representation of life in Chicago. I'd say it would be a book better suited for folks at least somewhat familiar with the city (as I am), than those who've never been there looking for background. "

" The chicago you will unfortunately never discover on your own. "

" A great little book that truly captures the feel of Chicago. "

" Alex Kotlowitz talks about eating in Chicago. Seems fitting to me. Actually a really nice book to read. "

" A quick read about a handful of Chicago neighborhoods and their residents. Kind of romanticizes the city too much. Some of my notions of the city were reinforced, but I was also surprised at times. The section on Cicero was probably the best. "

" The different stories in this book in no way hang together, and gave me only small glimpses into life in Chicago, but I enjoyed it enough to finish it. "

" Nice collection of vignettes of diverse Chicagoans. Great author. Comes around Northwestern from time to time. "

" This is a Crown Journeys book, one in a series of little gems in which great writers share their favorite places. "

" Well-chosen set of neighborhoods (including the suburb of Cicero) as a representation of life in Chicago. I'd say it would be a book better suited for folks at least somewhat familiar with the city (as I am), than those who've never been there looking for background. "

" It was disappointing that this was an abridged audio version, I only saw it on the box once I'd checked it out from the library. Kotlowitz was not a bad reader and I would have happily listened to the whole book. "

" Chicago has a contemporary voice and he is from New York, go figure. Wait...he now lives in Chicago "

" This book was a great snapshot of the city! I am a huge fan of Kotlowitz, so I was really excited to read this book. He did a great job of showing the city through the eyes of those who live here! "

" A great collage of what Chicagoans are. I plan to re-read, as the writing is great, and the stories are so specific, but so Chicago. "

" The different stories in this book in no way hang together, and gave me only small glimpses into life in Chicago, but I enjoyed it enough to finish it. "

" Love Chicago, love Alex Kotlowitz ... can't wait to move! "

" I read this after completing a summer of working "in the field" with kids in the My Chicago program. It was a good snapshot into some key people in certain neighborhoods but I wanted more of a taste of the neighborhood itself. "

" Interesting look at a few specific neighborhoods in Chicago - none of which I've spent any time in, but still pretty cool. "

" I loved this book. A quick read. "

" If you've ever lived in Chicago you will love this book. Kotlowitz shows you the real Chicago (even walks down a block that Nicole and I lived for two years when he's talking about the day workers). "