Chicago: The History of its Reputation

Publisher's full burgundy cloth, silver lettering on spine and cover, top edge red, fore-edge deckle. Among the best written histories of Chicago, by two legendary journalist-historians, who knew her intimately. The book became famous for its exciting narrative of the city's adventurous history. Lloyd Downs Lewis (1891-1949) was a journalist, historian, and major figure in a remarkable world of arts and letters that flourished in Chicago following World War I. After 12 years as publicist for Balaban and Katz, in 1930 he joined the Chicago Daily News as drama critic, becoming subsequently sports editor, managing editor, and a popular columnist. A gifted raconteur rich in friendships with the great literary, artistic, political, and sports figures of his time, Lewis was an ardent Chicagoan and Midwesterner with a voracious interest in the Civil War. His published work included "Chicago: The History of Its Reputation" (1929, with Henry Justin Smith); Jayhawkers, a three-act Broadway play coauthored with Sinclair Lewis (1935); and highly regarded biographies of Generals Sherman and Grant. Chicago's Newberry Library was his second home; drawing on his personal contacts, he established the library's superb collection of modern (chiefly Midwestern) manuscripts. Henry Justin Smith (1875-1936) was managing editor of the Chicago Daily News. In 1934, he published a collection of three essays entitled "It's The Way It's Written." The essays were suggested reading for any course in journalism, or as an authentic picture of the newspaper world for readers in general. . Former owner's small label on ffep, very small white stain on cover, else fine; unmarked, tight, square, and clean. VERY GOOD. 8vo 8" - 9" tall. xii, 508 pp.…