Illinois: Crossroads of a Continent

by Lois Carrier

With Chicago a major port on the Great Lakes and with a river system including the Mississippi, the Illinois, and the Ohio, Illinois has long been the link between East Coast industrial cities, the agricultural heartland, and the Gulf Coast. In Crossroads of a Continent, Lois Carrier chronicles major events in Illinois from prehistoric times to the present.
Whether she is telling of the Cahokia Mounds, acknowledged as the largest prehistoric earthen structure in North America, or Chicago as both a literary and cultural center and the birthplace of the National Baseball League, Carrier brings the state and its history to life in fascinating detail.
The changes in location of the state's capital, the nation's first atomic experiments, rural and small-town life, the excitement and turbulent politics of one of the world's largest cities - all of these are here. Jane Addams, Louis Armstrong, Jack Benny, Gwendolyn Brooks, Walt Disney, Red Grange, Ulysses S. Grant, Ernest Hemingway, Abraham Lincoln, Carl Sandburg, Frank Lloyd Wright, and many other famous people who were born or lived in Illinois are part of the mosaic of Illinois history the author presents. The only comprehensive history of the state now in print, Crossroads of a Continent is a clearly written volume that will appeal to students and general readers.

283 pages, Hardcover

First published July 1, 1993

Reviews

[Kyle D. · Rating 4 out of 5]

A simple, comprehensive look at Illinois history, from the native settlers to the early 90s. At times the reading level and basic knowledge covered implied that this was written for younger audiences than I expected from a university press book; if I were in 8th grade writing a history of Illinois, it would be golden.

In the end, exactly what I hoped for: a quick breeze through time.

[Vicky · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm finding this topic fascinating, especially some of the earlier cultures and communities.