Graveyards of Chicago : The People, History, Art, and Lore of Cook County Cemeteries

The first update in fourteen years of one of Lake Claremont Press's top sellers ever, the second edition of Graveyards of Chicago has all new photography, almost twice as many photos (300+), almost twice as many pages (400+), includes footnotes (almost 500), and contains QR codes for each cemetery leading to additional photos and bonus material.

Advocates for the Dead When the first edition of Graveyards of Chicago was published in 1999, taphophiles (cemetery enthusiasts) were still often considered morbid or disturbed. Matt Hucke and Ursula Bielski's regional bestseller did its part in changing that, revealing cemeteries to be fascinating repositories of history, art, culture, and folklore, tranquil spots for exploration, reflection, and discovering who we are. Feeling that their original work was never finished, Hucke and Bielski have continued to deepen their knowledge of and dedication to our local burial grounds, returning with this entirely revised and updated edition.

Memento Mori--Remember You Will Die History buffs, researchers, students of sociocultural and ethnic issues, biography and art lovers, as well as new and veteran taphophiles, will find Graveyards of Chicago an immersive experience and invaluable tool. Covering seven geographical regions (three city, three suburban, and one outlying), this field guide celebrates distinct types of Chicago burial grounds, along with changing styles of funerary customs and art.

Some of the departed, their lavish tombs now tourist attractions, live on in enduring fame. Others, poor and forgotten, were relegated to potter's fields, their remains sometimes lost to shifting urban landscapes. Touring these sites lets you travel through time to mark the lives of those who, for better or worse, shaped Chicago and reflected the American mindset of their day.

Whether marveling at the graves of celebrities, visionaries, and movers and shakers, paying your respects to victims of Chicago's many tragedies, or locating the final resting places of the city's more notorious figures, you'll discover a treasury of sites to explore.

Discover a Chicago That Exists Just Beneath the Surface--About Six Feet Under Grab a camera and plan your own visits. Join this incredible tour of Chicago and American history and culture with authors who unearth and share with you the best there is to know and appreciate about the graveyards of Chicago.