From the man shipped home in a rum barrel to the most dangerous woman in America, Chicago history comes to life in these tantalizing tales.
Living Landmarks of Chicago goes beyond the what, when, and where to tell the how and why of 50 Chicago landmarks. More than a book about architecture, these are stories of the people who made Chicago and many of its most popular tourist attractions what they are today. Brought to life on the page in 2021 by Author Theresa L. Goodrich, and updated in 2023, each chapter is a vignette that introduces the landmark, organized chronologically to illustrate the development of the city’s distinct personality. These 50 landmarks weave an interconnected tale of Chicago between 1836 and 1932 (and beyond).
And now, Jim Goodrich’s (Founder and Head Voice of With A Voice Like This) narration adds a unique and compelling dimension to the experience. His commanding voice brings out the passion, intrigue, and humor embedded in each vignette, creating an engaging listening experience that transcends traditional storytelling. Listen to the Sample Audio Clip:
History lines Chicago’s sidewalks. Stroll down LaSalle or Dearborn or State and you’ll see skyscrapers that have been there for a century or more. It’s easy to scurry by, to dismiss the building itself, but a hunt for placards turns up landmarks every few feet, it seems. Here’s a Chicago landmark; there’s a National Historic landmark. They’re everywhere.
Ironically, these skyscrapers keep the city grounded; they illustrate a past where visionaries took fanciful, impossible ideas and made them reality. Buildings sinking? Raise them. River polluting the lake and its precious drinking water? Reverse it.
Overpopulation and urban sprawl making it challenging to get to work? Build up.
From the bare to the ornate, from exposed beams to ornamented facades, the city’s architecture is unrestrainedly various yet provides a cohesive, beautiful skyline that illustrates the creativity of necessity, and the necessity of creativity.
After a sound-bite history of the city’s origins (see what we did there?), you’ll meet the oldest house in Chicago—or is it? Kinda. Sorta. Depends on who you ask.
That’s Chicago. Nothing’s simple, and nothing can be taken for granted. The reason the city has a gorgeous skyline and a vibrant culture and a notorious reputation for graft is because of those who built it, envisioned it, manipulated it.
Get the audiobook of Living Landmarks of Chicago now at (The Local Tourist link includes the Audiobook + a free copy of the eBook!):
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