Summary

Early Chicago park advocates dared to dream that vast stretches of swampy wasteland could be transformed into magnificent parks rivaling any in the world.

Early Chicago park advocates dared to dream that vast stretches of swampy wasteland could be transformed into magnificent parks rivaling any in the world. Bachrach's tale is filled with heroes and scoundrels, idealism, Chicago-style politics, and the sad decline caused by years of neglect-- but with a hopeful twist of restoration in recent years.