«d'Eramo's book examines different institutions that originated in or flourished in Chicago ... rather than narrating a straightforward history. But he does so not just to understand the city or the United States, but also what it means to be 'modern.'»

In These Times

«A serious-minded and insightful social analysis of Chicago as the penultimate example of the modern metropolis ... A fascinating, in-depth account.»

Bookwatch

«For anyone concerned to gain a full-frontal view of 'capitalism without a G-string,' this is compelling reading.»

Socialist Review

«d'Eramo looks to Chicago both as a guide to what the future might be like for European and other cities, but also as a warning about what to avoid.»

Chicago Tribune

«Chicago, America's megalopolis-as-metaphor, has found its leftward de Toqueville in Marco d'Eramo. His book is as rare as an Indian Head penny and as hard as truth. It is a book that Algren, Dreiser, Altgeld and Darrow would have acclaimed as 'on the button.'»

Studs Terkel

«Little in the urban scene escapes his attention, and his polemic is a fascinating and wide-ranging contribution to contemporary social thought.»

Choice

«d'Eramo's demonstration of the transfiguring power of capital is compelling.»

Guardian

«This kaleidoscope of a book, with its ability to surprise at every turn of the page, to excite the reader with a fresh insight, a new way of seeing, is to be strongly recommended.»

Frontline