In 1952 the New Yorker published a three-part essay by A. J. Liebling in which he dubbed Chicago the "Second City." From garbage collection to the skyline, nothing escaped Liebling's withering gaze. Among the outraged responses from Chicago residents was one that Liebling described as the apotheosis of such criticism: a postcard that read, simply, "You were never in Chicago." Neil Steinberg has lived in and around Chicago for more than three decades-ever since he left his hometown of Berea, Ohio, to attend Northwestern - yet he remains fascinated by the dynamics captured in Liebling's anecdote. In You Were Never in Chicago, Steinberg weaves the story of his own coming-of-age as a young outsider who made his way into the inner circles and upper levels of Chicago journalism with a nuanced portrait of the city that would surprise even lifelong residents. Throughout, Steinberg never loses the curiosity and close observation of an outsider, while thoughtfully considering how this perspective has shaped the city, and what it really means to belong. Intimate and layered, You Were Never in Chicago will be a welcome addition to the bookshelves of all Chicagoans - be they born in the city or forever transplanted.

About the Author
Neil Steinberg is a columnist at the Chicago Sun-Times, where he has been on staff since 1987. He is the author of seven books, including Drunkard: A Hard-Drinking Life and Hatless Jack: The President, the Fedora, and the History of American Style.

Reviews
"A rollicking newspaperman's memoir... and a strong case for Second City exceptionalism." (New York Times) "A triumph." (Toronto Star) "Like Studs Terkel before him, Neil Steinberg mixes memoir, history, and travelogue in You Were Never in Chicago as he takes readers along on an engaging tour of the characters-and character-of his adopted city, past and present." (American Way)"



Book Information
ISBN 9780226104157
Author Neil Steinberg
Format Paperback
Page Count 256
Imprint University of Chicago Press
Publisher The University of Chicago Press
Weight(grams) 397g
Dimensions(mm) 23mm * 16mm * 2mm