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A Nice Little Place on the North Side Review
I have never been a beer drinker, I have never been fond of the taste or after taste. When I was 20 years old my brother took me into Chicago, I was unaware at the time why we made this trip from his home in Naperville. We parked, walked a couple blocks and I patiently waited as he spoke to a gentleman at the gates and got us two tickets – I was about to enter the famous Wrigley Field. My brother bought me a beer, and although it was still 30 days until my 21st birthday I accepted it. I was never a fan of beer but this beer was special – maybe because I was sharing a moment and beer with my older brother, or because I knew I was standing amongst history.
When I had the chance almost 19 years later to read George F. Wills new book A Nice Little Place on the North Side, I wanted to learn more about this institution in Chicago. According to the subtitle, this book is “a history of triumph, mostly defeat, and incurable hope at Wrigley Field” and this is an accurate description of the books contents. This New York Times Bestseller covers the 100 plus year history of Wrigley Field and of the Cubs in Chicago. This book has many stories about the Cubs and the many possible reasons for the lack of wins. The Cubs have not had the most winningest record in history, rather the opposite spanning a 105 year streak with no World Series wins and despite this they have sold out games more often than not.
Wrigley Field is simultaneously a Cubs fans most loved and most hated place, and George F. Wills delves into this dichotomy. At times the books language and tree branch writing make the book difficult to follow although it always ends up making sense within the central thesis. The book would be enhanced by having photo’s of Wrigley throughout the years, instead of the one that graces the cover. This book covers the 100 year history and includes an extensive bibliography that is a must have reference for any Chicago Cub’s fan.
I have been in San Diego since I was 5 years old, but I have always felt a connection to Chicago and the Cubs. The day I had that beer at Wrigley Field it was the culmination of years of hearing and wishing I could see this historic landmark at the corner of Clark and Addison. This book reaffirms that feeling of culmination and historical reverence among those ivy covered walls that I felt that day.
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