Description
Book SynopsisThe Great Chicago Fire of 1871, Haymarket bombing of 1886, and the making and unmaking of the model town of Pullman are remarkable events. This book explores the imaginative dimensions of these events and traces the evolution of interconnected beliefs and actions that increasingly linked city, disorder, and social reality in minds of Americans.
Trade Review"Cultural history at its finest....Smith creates a sophisticated account of changing visions of urban America." - Robin F. Bachin, Journal of Interdisciplinary History "This deeply researched, subtle, and complex book seeks to comprehend the significance of three events of signal importance in the development of the American urban landscape." - Douglas Greenberg, Chicago Tribune "What ultimately distinguishes this book is the coherence, grace, and clarity of Smith's interpretations and the beauty of his writing." - John J. Pauly, Journal of American History"