Illinois: A History of the Land and Its People

by Roger Biles

Biles' first-rate primer on the state's history will be a useful resource for anyone curious about a state whose residents have played crucial roles in almost every major episode in the nation's history. ― Chicago Tribune Featuring 67 illustrations, Illinois will captivate readers of all ages and interests. Crossroads of the continent, Land of Lincoln, hub of commerce—or, as Charles Dickens viewed it, a landscape "oppressive in its barren monotony"—Illinois boasts a rich and varied past. In this far-reaching but compact history, Roger Biles provides a much-needed, up-to-date account of the state's development, from the early native settlements to the present. Focusing on Illinois' demographic changes over time, he highlights the key figures who contributed to the state's government, economy, culture, and the arts. While devoting attention to the touchstones of history, Illinois illuminates also the achievements of ordinary people, including the women, the African Americans, and the other minorities who—along with the politicians, the captains of industry, and the military heroes—contributed to the state's growth and prosperity. National events shaped the state as well, and Biles explores the impact of such crises as the Civil War and World War II on the people of Illinois. No history of Illinois can ignore the state's largest city, the dynamic metropolis on Lake Michigan—Chicago. Drawing on extensive research, Biles illuminates Chicago's past—its outbursts of labor unrest and racial tensions as well as the splendors of two world's fairs and an artistic renaissance—while at the same time relating Chicago to the larger story of Illinois and its people. Connecting lesser-known stories with the main events of the state's past, Biles writes in an accessible style that is at once entertaining and enlightening.

Genres: History, Nonfiction

351 pages, Hardcover

First published October 6, 2005

About the author

Roger Biles is Professor Emeritus of History at Illinois State University.

Reviews

[Russ Kaminski · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall pretty dry. Some passages are just extended lists of things that happened. Not for fans of sweeping historical narratives.

Not as Chicago-centric as other Illinois books. I did appreciate the vignettes at the end of each chapter that looked at specific people, places, and events more in depth.

[James Gustafson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just a note, this book was published in 2005.

Very readable. Occasionally thematic threads take precedence over the otherwise straightforward chronological narrative without warning. This can cause a double take every now and again, but it's a minor quibble.

[J.M. Hushour · Rating 4 out of 5]

Project Read-a-History-of-Every-State-in-Order-of-Statehood #21

[Paul Heidebrecht · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very fine history of our state. He packs in an amazing amount of history into a little over 300 pages. Gets bogged down a little here and there but a great story. Published before Ryan, Blagojevich and Obama.

[Matt · Rating 3 out of 5]

Required reading for residents of the Prairie State

[Peter · Rating 3 out of 5]

Served its purpose - basic history of Illinois