Chronicles of Old Chicago ─ Exploring the History and Lore of the Windy City

Discover the fascinating history of Chicago, home to President Obama, Al Capone, the Chicago Cubs, politicians, mobsters, and more, told through twenty-four dramatic true stories. Known as an expert on Chicago’s folklore and crime stories, Adam Selzer takes readers through Chicago’s history from the 1800s to the present with tales of the politicians, eccentrics, and the famous and infamous who shaped the city. Essays explore historic events from the Great Chicago Fire of 1871 to the beginnings of the film era (Chicago was home to film long before Hollywood); speeches by Abraham Lincoln and Barack Obama; the historical contributions to the birth of rock ‘n roll of Chess Records, who signed Howlin’ Wolf, Chuck Berry, Bo Diddley, Etta James, Little Walter, and Willie Dixon; and baseball legends and curses. Learn about the city’s legendary ghosts and haunted hotels. Also included are guided walking tours around many of the sites mentioned, illustrated with color photographs and maps.

Adam Selzer, a historian and tour guide, was born in Des Moines and lives in Chicago, with his wife, stepson, and cats in the west Loop. The passionate Chicago-lover appears regularly on TV and radio talking about Chicago history, and he has published fifteen books, ranging from young adult novels to books on the history of the Windy City, including the recent Ghosts of Chicago. He can often be found writing in coffee shops or poking around old buildings, empty alleyways, and dusty libraries around the city.