Dominic A. Pacyga - "Clout City " - at Robie House
Featured Book
Clout City
"In politics, clout is the Chicago Way: insider access granted or denied, favors given or withheld, payoffs made or received. But Chicago clout is more than that. It's the absolute currency of a social, cultural, and political order that is self-reinforcing, self-dealing, and ultimately self-sealing in its contempt for anything outside of it. Or at least, it was. Here, Dominic A. Pacyga reveals how cultural, ethnic, and religious forces created this distinctive system-and ultimately led to its collapse. Tracing clout's origins in the Irish Catholic neighborhood of Bridgeport, Pacyga shows how communal ties can be a force for good and also the deepest wellspring of corruption"-- Provided by publisher.
This book will be available for purchase at the event.
About This Event
Join author Dominic A. Pacyga for conversation about his book Clout City (University of Chicago Press, 2025). Clout City explores the cultural, ethnic, and religious forces that built the “Chicago machine” of political influence, from the Great Chicago Fire of 1871 and the city’s rise and fall as an industrial center in the early 20th century, up through today’s reshaped political landscape.
He will discuss Clout City and his other works of Chicago social history with Alice Boone, Director of Interpretive Programs at the Frank Lloyd Wright Trust, as part of a Seminary Co-op / Frank Lloyd Wright Trust partnership reading series about Chicago history inside a Chicago historic landmark.
This special program will take place in the Billiard Room of Robie House, located next to the Seminary Co-op at 5757 Woodlawn Avenue, followed by light refreshments and an opportunity for guests who register to explore the House.
Featured Author
Dominic A. Pacyga
Dominic A. Pacyga is professor emeritus of history in the Department of Humanities, History, and Social Sciences at Columbia College Chicago. He is the author of several books including Chicago: A Biography and American Warsaw: The Rise, Fall, and Rebirth of Polish Chicago, also from the University of Chicago Press.
About the Venue
Robie House
Presented by Seminary Co-Op Bookstore
Hyde Park
5757 S. Woodlawn Ave
Chicago, IL 60637
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