The railroad create a “Second Nature” that molded economic and urban growth as much as “First Nature”, or its natural geography.Ĭronon claims that Chicago was central to the development of the Midwest.The technological innovation of the railroad and the odd economics of rail transportation, that it is cheap to ship in one direction, but expensive in the other direction, made it essential to have one transportation entrepot for the entire region.The building of the Erie Canal, one of America’s greatest infrastructure projects, was essential to the early development of Chicago.Chicago evolved in the one location in North America that offered access between the two great inland waterways, the Mississippi/Ohio/Missouri river basin and the Great Lakes/St.The development of the American Midwest would not have been possible without a major city such as Chicago.

Chicago from the 1830s through the 1860s saw one of the most dramatic urban growths in world history.

They are part of a larger economic system.

Cities and their rural hinterlands are not opposites.Anyone interested in the role of cities in human history should read this book. While narrowly focused on the history of Chicago and the American Midwest, Cronon gives compelling testimony to the important role that trade-based cities have on economic development and progress. My Comments:Ĭronon’s book was a Finalist for the Pulitzer Prize and Winner of the Bancroft Prize. If you would like to learn more about the importance of cities, read my book From Poverty to Progress: How Humans Invented Progress, and How We Can Keep It Going.

Topic of BookĬronon writes about the history of one of the world’s great metropolis, Chicago, and how it was intimately linked to geography and economic growth of the entire Midwest. If you enjoy this summary, please support the author by buying the book. This is free download Nature’s Metropolis: Chicago and the Great West by William Cronon complete book soft copy.Title: Nature’s Metropolis: Chicago and the Great West Click on below buttons to start Download Nature’s Metropolis: Chicago and the Great West by William Cronon PDF EPUB without registration. If you are still wondering how to get free PDF EPUB of book Nature’s Metropolis: Chicago and the Great West by William Cronon. Nature’s Metropolis: Chicago and the Great West Download

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Full Book Name: Nature’s Metropolis: Chicago and the Great West.

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Nature's Metropolis by William Cronon