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Out of a clear blue sky, amid a wave of terrorist bombings, a commercial airship crashes among the skyscrapers of the financial district, burning victims alive at their desks. But this catastrophe was not the work of Al Qaeda. It happened on July 21, 1919 in Chicago.
The gin-guzzling, jazz-swinging, Lindy-hopping 1920s gave rise to the most notorious era in Chicago history, and we’re going to learn all about it at EPL this spring.
Our Elmhurst Reads book for 2014 is City of Scoundrels by Gary Krist. This book details the fateful events during a two-week period in 1919, from a dirigible crashing into a busy downtown bank to one of the worst urban riots in American history—all against the backdrop of speakeasies, jazz music, flappers, and political wrangling. Krist’s crisp writing captures the tumultuous birth of the modern American city in our backyard.
We’ll also be highlighting the book Deadly Valentines by Jeffrey Gusfield, which chronicles the story of Jack McGurn, Al Capone’s notorious henchman who along with his blond alibi, Louise Rolfe, eluded the Chicago police following the St. Valentine’s Day Massacre in 1929.
Feature Event
Gary Krist, author of City of Scoundrels and Jeffrey Gusfield, author of Deadly Valentines, present the final Elmhurst Reads: Notorious Chicago event of 2014. The two authors will finish their presentations with Q & A and book signing.Presented by Elmhurst Public Library, Elmhurst College, and The Friends of the Elmhurst Public Library.
April 24, 2014 • 7 p.m. • Hammerschmidt Chapel on the campus of Elmhurst College
This event is free and open to the public. No tickets or registration required.
More Information: Directions to Elmhurst College • Parking Map
All Elmhurst Reads Events
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Mustache MondaysMonday, March 3-31 • All Day Wear a mustache and stop by to get a prize and to get your picture taken for our website. Draw it on, stick it on, smoosh it on, and let us see your best mustache every Monday in March. Both individual and family portraits are encouraged. More info. |
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Ardent Spirits: Prohibition and Gangster ChicagoWednesday, March 19 • 7 p.m. • Large Meeting Room Richard C. Lindberg, Chicago author and historian, takes us on a journey to Prohibition Era Chicago and a look back at how the “Noble Experiment” gave rise to an organized crime structure that is still with us today. From the earliest stirrings of Temperance crusaders in the 1850s, up through Frances Willard and Al Capone, Chicago earned its reputation as “that toddlin’ town” during these pivotal years. No registration required. |
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Chicago’s Sweet Candy HistoryThursday, March 20 • 4-5 p.m. For most of its history, Chicago produced about one-third of the nation’s candy. You probably know some of the candies made or invented here—Brach’s caramels, Mars’ Snickers bars, Wrigley’s gum, Cracker Jack, Curtiss Baby Ruth bars, Tootsie Rolls, Frango Mints, Dove chocolates. Sample some candies and explore the history behind Chicago’s tasty treats. Delicious! Register starting March 1 in person, by phone, or online. |
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Illinois Ghosts and the AfterlifeFriday, March 28 • 7-9 p.m. Readers of The Diviners by Libba Bray know that the 1920s was a high point for interest in the supernatural. Terry Fisk of Unexplained Research LLC will tell us about Chicago and Illinois hauntings he has personally investigated. Register starting March 1 in person, by phone, or online. |
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Early Chicago BluesWednesday, April 2 • 7 p.m. Blues music in Chicago began in the 1920’s and 1930’s. Join us for live music peppered with the fascinating history of the first blues in Chicago as Donna Herula sings and plays acoustic slide guitar along with husband Tony who sings and plays guitar and harmonica. They have played all around the country, have won awards, and regularly play at Buddy Guy’s Legends in Chicago. No registration required. |
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Film Screening: Cities of the Underworld – Mob UndergroundSaturday, April 5 • 2 p.m. • Large Meeting Room This fascinating History Channel documentary explores the secrets that reside underground in Chicago, with an emphasis on the city’s criminal history, including vice dens, secret railroad lines, and mob escape routes. 50 minutes. [TV PG] No registration required. |
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The Chicago MobSaturday, April 12 • 1-2:30 p.m. The Chicago Mob wants to get its hands on you. Join us for an informal chat with author T.M. Goeglein, whose Cold Fury trilogy is packed with insider secrets about the Chicago Mob. Learn all about it—before it’s too late. Register starting March 1 in person, by phone, or online. |
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Al Capone Does My Shirts, Shoes, and HomeworkMonday, April 14 • 4-5 p.m. If you like the Al Capone book series by Gennifer Choldenko, you won’t want to miss this! Join in activities, talk with other kids about your favorite book in the series, and find out interesting facts about Chicago and Al Capone. We’ll provide snacks. Register starting March 8 in person, by phone, or online. |
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City of Scoundrels by Gary KristWednesday, April 16 • 1 p.m. or Chicago was rocked by 12 days of events in July 1919: a downtown blimp crash, a missing girl, a transit strike, and deadly race riots. All the while political enemies wrangle for power in Cook County, in Illinois, and in the entire country behind the scenes. Don’t miss this amazing history of the city in our backyard. Register starting March 19 in person or by phone. |
