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William Cronon

Nature's Metropolis: Chicago and the Great West

William CrononNonfiction | Book | Adult | Published in 1991

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Book Brief

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William Cronon

Nature's Metropolis

Nonfiction | Book | Adult | Published in 1991
Book Details
Pages

592

Format

Book • Nonfiction

Setting

Chicago, Illinois • 19th Century

Publication Year

1991

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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Super Short Summary

Nature’s Metropolis by William Cronon is a historical analysis that explores the intertwined economic and ecological development of Chicago and the American West during the 19th century. Cronon examines how natural resources, the railroad network, and agriculture played crucial roles in transforming Chicago into a pivotal metropolis, detailing its symbiotic relationship with the rural hinterlands and the implications of this interdependence.

Informative

Contemplative

Reviews & Readership

4.4

3,749 ratings

82%

Loved it

13%

Mixed feelings

4%

Not a fan

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Review Roundup

William Cronon’s Nature’s Metropolis is widely commended for its innovative examination of Chicago's environmental history and its role in America's economic expansion. Critics praise Cronon’s interdisciplinary approach and prose, yet some find the narrative dense and overly detailed. Overall, it's a significant contribution to urban and environmental historiography.

Who should read this

Who Should Read Nature's Metropolis?

A history enthusiast or urban studies scholar intrigued by the interplay between environment and economy would relish Nature's Metropolis by William Cronon. Fans of The Death and Life of Great American Cities by Jane Jacobs or The Devil in the White City by Erik Larson may find it equally captivating for its insightful take on Chicago's transformation.

4.4

3,749 ratings

82%

Loved it

13%

Mixed feelings

4%

Not a fan

Book Details
Pages

592

Format

Book • Nonfiction

Setting

Chicago, Illinois • 19th Century

Publication Year

1991

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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