Home to Chicagos Polish Village; impressive examples of sacred and industrial architecture; and the legendary Olson Waterfall; Avondale is often tagged as "the neighborhood that built Chicago." Images of America: Avondale and Chicagos Polish Village sheds light on the little known history of the community; including its fascinating industrial past. From its beginnings as a sleepy subdivision started by a Michigan senator; it became a cultural mecca for Chicagos Polish community; playing a crucial role in Polands struggles for independence. Other people also called Avondale home; such as Scottish proprietors; African American freedmen; Irish activists; Swedish shopkeepers; German tradesmen; Jewish merchants; Filipino laborers; and Italian entrepreneurs; a diversity further enriched as many from the former Soviet Bloc and Latin America settled here. As in other Chicago neighborhoods; change is the one constant; as the arts have brought a renaissance to this working-class corner of the city.
#941348 in eBooks 2014-06-01 2014-06-01File Name: B00LZTEVSW
Review
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Theres No Business like Show Business.....By WordsMusicNot to put too fine a point upon it: one of the best books ever written about the world of the theatre. A wonderful introduction to the ribald; sleazy; corrupt; energetic and wholly unpredictable Regency. Impeccable research; terrific editing instincts and an eye for the telling anecdote; and at the same time; a sense of pathos; this book chronicles the life and times of Joseph Grimaldi; 1788--1837; the clown who gave his name; Joey; to the practice and profession of clowns ever since. Grimaldis life has long fascinated this reader; in some ways I have longed for this book for ten years and it did not disappoint. Moreover; the authors skillful; readable weaving of the influence of current events (it was not then history; they lived it) on the lives of the many characters here; on the theatre itself; on the life and more to the point; the livelihoods of troupes of actors; musicians; clowns who broke their hearts and occasionally their very backs to bring entertainment to a hungry and passionate public. The authors own background as a comic and not a mere academic infuses the narrative with a deep vein of understanding. Even if you care nothing for the Regency; read it as an antidote to Jane Austens Regency. This book will take you far away and fill you with both delight and sadness. A gem.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. FantasticBy Vidalia11Most biographies are so boring and dry. I dont mind scholarly books but I do mind boring books. But this book is excellent. I was so moved by the story of Joe Grimaldi. He was such a likeable person. The book made me long to see him perform. He sacrificed his life for his craft by punishing his body with falls and stunts until he couldnt even stand up. His last performance (he was only in his late 40s) was done from a chair. He sang his "hit song;" Hot Codlins. Oh; how I wish I could have been there. Im grateful that he got a rousing and cheering send-off from the audience. Andrew Stott tells a fascinating story here. I knew zero about pantos. And he really made me fall in love with Joey Grimaldi. P.S. I also recommend the Dickens edited version of Grimaldis memoirs.2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. Excellent!By N. LoweThis truly is an entertaining read - Not only does the book chart the biography of one of Englands theatrical inventors but it lays out the history of modern English theater. Grimaldis story crosses almost half a century and with it we get an insight into how audiences behaved; into the importance of theater as a public space and free speech and also the regulations imposed upon theater as the site of public opinion. Reading this volume alongside the biography of Grimaldi by Charles Dickens shows two related sides of the story. A great read!
