In reading Mike's articles I was reminded of my favorite sportswriter, the late Jim Murray of the Los Angeles Times. Unless you know my feelings on Jim Murray, you can't appreciate the high praise this is. The reason I didn't give it five stars is a cheap reason, I suppose. It didn't contain my all time favorite Royko column, that of a so-called know-it-all Cubs' fan who had the answers to everything until he was caught in his ignorance of the Cubs' history. I'll have to attach the column I have to the book.

Mike Royko was the best American newspaper columnist ever. Like Johnny Carson did for late night television, Royko DEFINED what it means to be a columnist. Even if you do not reside in Chicago, your heart cannot help but be moved by the columns in which he tried to help the little people against whatever force (bureaucratic, criminal or otherwise) that was trying to trample them. Sometimes humorous, sometimes disdainful, but always full of life, a Royko column was always a treasure. His loss is much lamented and this book is a fitting tribute.

Whether Mike Royko was writing about the mayor of Chicago, tongue-in-cheek apologies to the Irish population, or the unveiling of a Picasso sculpture, he was always captivating. My favorite piece happens to be his remembrance of his first wife (who died unexpectedly in the late 70s). I shared that piece with my wife and we couldn't stop crying. Not only is this some damn fine writing, it's a valuable document of the last forty years in American life (not just Chicago). I am so glad I bought this book. It's the type of book I'll refer to endlessly for years. It's a sensational book to give as a gift. Can't wait for the next volume.

Wille opens a window into the usually closed back room dealings behind major urban renewal projects. Having apparently unlimited access to the developers allows her to see the entire process of urban renewal from conception to fruition from the inside. The size of this project is unique for a private development: Dearborn Homes originally was meant to encompass the entire area directly south of Chicago's loop. Its backers were alos unique--the real movers and shakers of Chicago's business community between the late 60's and the early 80's.

The fact that deveklopment of Dearborn park spanned so many administrations in Chicago (including Daley I, Harold Washington, and Daley II) means that the politics involved were complex. Dearborn Park also became the focus of several intense community struggles--sometimes directly related to the development, and sometimes the development was only part of a much larger struggle over the general direction of development in Chicago.

The weakness of Wille's book derives directly from its strength. While Wille provides an unmatched view of the development porocess from the developer's prospective, Wille gives short shrift to the perspective of politicians and other City officials (who come accross as shallow people who stand in the way of the development for no apparent reason), and woefully short shrifts the very powerful grass roots movement which challenged the City's concentration on developing middle and upper income housing, at the expense of low cost housing.

Ultimately, Dearborn Park can only be understood as part of this larger debate on the direction of the City of Chicago. Wille has produced a book unmatched for its insights into the actions and motivations of one set of players in this debate--Chicago's major financial and real estate institutions. The book does not, however, tell the story from any other perspective.

I have loved every minute of this book. This is a great summary of the entire South Loop development, including Printers Row, Dearborn I and II, Central Station, River City...

What has been most fascinating is the insight into Chicago politics beginning with Richard M. Daley's administration and continuing to Richard J. Daley's current City Hall. Readers gain a real appreciation for what goes on in Chicago to get neighborhood projects developed and financed.

While certainly an informative read for South Loop denizens, this book offers great Chicago development stories that any Chicago area resident will appreciate. Plus, anyone that doubts the clout of City Hall in Chicago will quickly learn otherwise.

This book is every bit as good as "Boss" without Mike Royko's acid pen. It should be required reading for urban planners, architects, city zoning officials, and anyone who thinks they know how people should live better than the people themselves.

It's a graphic depiction of how a wonderful, noble idea (the transformation of abandoned railyards and boarded-up industrial and skid-row buildings into the vibrant residential neighborhoods known as Dearborn Park and Printers Row) was nearly destroyed by partisan politics and petty differences. I had the opportunity to see the physical changes firsthand over the last 25 years, and they were painfully slow. I had no idea of the behind-the-scenes sleight-of-hand that made it all possible, and Lois Wille makes what could have been something boring into a page turner.

I won't give away the climax. I will say that the children of this brand-new central-city neighborhood were robbed, and "robbed" is the only word that adequately describes what happened.

If you're a longtime city resident you already care about our cities. If you're a NIMBY suburbanite or small-town resident, or if you live on a farm and can see the half-finished frames of yet another subdivision marching toward you, you should care. Why? When cities become unlivable and people pack up and leave, guess where they go?

Whoever you are, buy and read this book.