47 pages • 1 hour read
William CrononNature's Metropolis: Chicago and the Great West
Nonfiction | Book | Adult | Published in 1991A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
Nature’s Metropolis by William Cronon is a historical analysis that explores the intertwined economic and ecological development of Chicago and the American West during the 19th century. Cronon examines how natural resources, the railroad network, and agriculture played crucial roles in transforming Chicago into a pivotal metropolis, detailing its symbiotic relationship with the rural hinterlands and the implications of this interdependence.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
William Cronon’s Nature’s Metropolis is widely commended for its innovative examination of Chicago's environmental history and its role in America's economic expansion. Critics praise Cronon’s interdisciplinary approach and prose, yet some find the narrative dense and overly detailed. Overall, it's a significant contribution to urban and environmental historiography.
Who Should Read Nature's Metropolis?
A history enthusiast or urban studies scholar intrigued by the interplay between environment and economy would relish Nature's Metropolis by William Cronon. Fans of The Death and Life of Great American Cities by Jane Jacobs or The Devil in the White City by Erik Larson may find it equally captivating for its insightful take on Chicago's transformation.