Keri's review
Sin in the Second City: Madams, Ministers, Playboys, and the Battle for America's Soul
by Karen Abbott
Keri's review
Sin in the Second City: Madams, Ministers, Playboys, and the Battle for America's Soul by Karen Abbott
Keri's review
rating:
bookshelves:
recentlyread
recommended for: anyone who loved Devil in the White City
I absolutely loved this book. I found it in my local library by chance and I'm glad I did. I love historical books about Chicago. Sin in the Second City has much in common with Devil in the White City as it takes place roughly during the same time period in Chicago (around 1900).
Although the subject matter may turn some people off, I loved learning about the history of prostitution in Chicago. It was surprising to discover that this is a true story. Maybe it is naive of me but I kept having to check if this stuff was for real while reading the book.
The Everleigh sisters were true entrepreneurs to have created the pre-eminent brothel in the U.S. Even so, I couldn't help but be shocked by the so-called respectable men who frequented such places...from the scions of the wealthy Chicagoans like Marshall Field Jr. to politicians and even princes. And of course, the stories of murders, robberies, drinking, and other illicit activities were interesting. After reading this book, I fe...more
Although the subject matter may turn some people off, I loved learning about the history of prostitution in Chicago. It was surprising to discover that this is a true story. Maybe it is naive of me but I kept having to check if this stuff was for real while reading the book.
The Everleigh sisters were true entrepreneurs to have created the pre-eminent brothel in the U.S. Even so, I couldn't help but be shocked by the so-called respectable men who frequented such places...from the scions of the wealthy Chicagoans like Marshall Field Jr. to politicians and even princes. And of course, the stories of murders, robberies, drinking, and other illicit activities were interesting. After reading this book, I fe...more
