A fascinating memoir from Pulitzer Prize-winning writer Margo Jefferson – her story of growing up black on the Chicago south side of the 50s and 60s – a world that's far richer and more complicated than most stereotypes of the city usually represent! Jefferson's father was a doctor, and her mother a socialite – and her stories of her upbringing highlight the complexity of African-American society in the postwar years – with personal details that are as illuminating as the larger cultural context. The book has been praised by the New York Times, Washington Post, and many other publications – and this softcover volume is 248 pages, with some black and white images. Book

One of the most unique books we've ever gotten from John Corbett – an author who's given us some fantastic music writing over the years! This book is completely different – not written, but "salvaged" – as the contents are a lost manuscript from the early 30s – one that offers up a rundown of 140 different figures in the Chicago mob – some famous, some obscure – all written in this sharp style that's very to the point! The anonymous author offers no judgement in most cases, but provides a surprising amount of detail on each figure – from territory covered, to methods, to some of their important crimes – and their fates, if they ended up dead or in jail. The original manuscript is reproduced here exactly as it was found in a Chicago junk shop by Corbett – yellowed, brittle pages, each given a large page reproduction, with original typeface and typos – which makes it feel like you're handling the whole thing yourself. Corbett provides an introduction to the material – and then at the end, the book has some very cool features – a collection of all the locations referenced in the pages, 400 in all, most of which are presented on a pull-out map of Chicago that comes with the book! 232 pages, softcover, in full color. Book