Chicago's Grand Midway: A Walk around the World at the Columbian Exposition

author: Norman Bolotin
name: Wayne
average rating: 3.00
book published:
rating: 3
read at: 2019/02/21
date added: 2019/02/21
shelves: non-fiction
review:
'Chicago's Grand Midway: A Walk Around the World at the Columbian Exposition' by Norman Bolotin is a walk through history at one of the last world's fairs of the 19th century.

The 1893 world's fair in Chicago had to follow the fair in Paris, and that was the one to bring the world the Eiffel Tower. Chicago tried to one up things with a giant Ferris wheel, and it was quite popular. Also popular along the midway, or plaisance, were exhibits, restaurants, and souvenir stands featuring items from around the world. This book explores what it was like to walk this area of the fair and explains what was seen and heard.

The idea of midway evolved quite a bit after this, so entertainments of this age seem a bit tame compared to more modern amusements. The curiosity of the fair goers and their willingness to interact with other cultures was interesting to me.

I've read a couple other similar books about other fairs, and I enjoy the voyeuristic look at places that were around before I was born. The writing is interesting.

I received a review copy of this ebook from University of Illinois Press and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this ebook.


via Wayne's bookshelf: read https://ift.tt/2VcLOom