Step into the perfumed parlors of the Everleigh Club; the most famous brothel in American history–and the catalyst for a culture war that rocked the nation. Operating in Chicago’s notorious Levee district at the dawn of the last century; the Club’s proprietors; two aristocratic sisters named Minna and Ada Everleigh; welcomed moguls and actors; senators and athletes; foreign dignitaries and literary icons; into their stately double mansion; where thirty stunning Everleigh “butterflies†awaited their arrival. Courtesans named Doll; Suzy Poon Tang; and Brick Top devoured raw meat to the delight of Prince Henry of Prussia and recited poetry for Theodore Dreiser. Whereas lesser madams pocketed most of a harlot’s earnings and kept a “whipper†on staff to mete out discipline; the Everleighs made sure their girls dined on gourmet food; were examined by an honest physician; and even tutored in the literature of Balzac.Not everyone appreciated the sisters’ attempts to elevate the industry. Rival Levee madams hatched numerous schemes to ruin the Everleighs; including an attempt to frame them for the death of department store heir Marshall Field; Jr. But the sisters’ most daunting foes were the Progressive Era reformers; who sent the entire country into a frenzy with lurid tales of “white slaveryâ€â€”—the allegedly rampant practice of kidnapping young girls and forcing them into brothels. This furor shaped America’s sexual culture and had repercussions all the way to the White House; including the formation of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.With a cast of characters that includes Jack Johnson; John Barrymore; John D. Rockefeller; Jr.; William Howard Taft; “Hinky Dink†Kenna; and Al Capone; Sin in the Second City is Karen Abbott’s colorful; nuanced portrait of the iconic Everleigh sisters; their world-famous Club; and the perennial clash between our nation’s hedonistic impulses and Puritanical roots. Culminating in a dramatic last stand between brothel keepers and crusading reformers; Sin in the Second City offers a vivid snapshot of America’s journey from Victorian-era propriety to twentieth-century modernity.Visit www.sininthesecondcity.com to learn more!“Delicious… Abbott describes the Levee’s characters in such detail that it’s easy to mistake this meticulously researched history for literary fiction.†—— New York Times Book Review “ Described with scrupulous concern for historical accuracy…an immensely readable book.†—— Joseph Epstein; The Wall Street Journal “Assiduously researched… even this book’s minutiae makes for good storytelling.†—— Janet Maslin; The New York Times“Karen Abbott has pioneered sizzle history in this satisfyingly lurid tale. Change the hemlines; add 100 years; and the book could be filed under current affairs.†—— USA Today“A rousingly racy yarn.†–Chicago Tribune “A colorful history of old Chicago that reads like a novel… a compelling and eloquent story.†—— The Atlanta Journal-Constitution “Gorgeously detailed†—— New York Daily News“At last; a history book you can bring to the beach.†—— The Philadelphia Inquirer “Once upon a time; Chicago had a world class bordello called The Everleigh Club. Author Karen Abbott brings the opulent place and its raunchy era alive in a book that just might become this years “The Devil In the White City.†—— Chicago Tribune Sunday Magazine (cover story) “As Abbott’s delicious and exhaustively researched book makes vividly clear; the Everleigh Club was the Taj Mahal of bordellos.†—— Chicago Sun Times “The book is rich with details about a fast-and-loose Chicago of the early 20th century… Sin explores this world with gusto; throwing light on a booming city and exposing its shadows.†—— Time Out Chicago “[Abbott’s] research enables the kind of vivid description à la fellow journalist Erik Larson's The Devil in the White City that make what could be a dry historic account an intriguing read."– Seattle Times“Abbott tells her story with just the right mix of relish and restraint; providing a piquant guide to a world of sexuality†—— The Atlantic “A rollicking tale from a more vibrant time: history to a ragtime beat.†– Kirkus Reviews“With gleaming prose and authoritative knowledge Abbott elucidates one of the most colorful periods in American history; and the result reads like the very best fiction. Sex; opulence; murder — What's not to love?†—— Sara Gruen; author of Water for Elephants“A detailed and intimate portrait of the Ritz of brothels; the famed Everleigh Club of turn-of-the-century Chicago. Sisters Minna and Ada attracted the elites of the world to such glamorous chambers as the Room of 1;000 Mirrors; complete with a reflective floor. And isn’t Minna’s advice to her resident prostitutes worthy advice for us all: “Give; but give interestingly and with mystery.â€â€™ —— Erik Larson; author of The Devil in the White City “Karen Abbott has combined bodice-ripping salaciousness with top-notch scholarship to produce a work more vivid than a Hollywood movie.†—— Melissa Fay Greene; author of There is No Me Without You “Sin in the Second City is a masterful history lesson; a harrowing biography; and - best of all - a superfun read. The Everleigh story closely follows the turns of American history like a little sister. I can't recommend this book loudly enough.†—— Darin Strauss; author of Chang and Eng “This is a story of debauchery and corruption; but it is also a story of sisterhood; and unerring devotion. Meticulously researched; and beautifully crafted; Sin in the Second City is an utterly captivating piece of history.†—— Julian Rubinstein; author of Ballad of the Whiskey Robber
#1312075 in Books 2011-02-02 2015-09-01Original language:English 8.50 x .64 x 5.51l; 1.10 #File Name: 812911755X272 pages
Review
13 of 13 people found the following review helpful. and sets out the history and the supporting evidence in an easy to follow logical mannerBy annettejThis is a well researched and written account of a true story I knew little about. It discusses the relationship between the aging Queen Victoria and her beloved companion and teacher of urdu; Abdul Ma a young Indian man who travelled to England as part of the Golden Jubilee celebrations and rose from the status of a royal servant to become one of the Queen's most beloved and trusted companions; a relationship which lasted right up to her death. The friendship seemed unlikely; and was often criticised by her family and other members of the Royal Household; and even somewhat hushed up after her death.The book is clearly and concisely written; and sets out the history and the supporting evidence in an easy to follow logical manner. The writer is very balanced and does present the full story; including details about the opposition to the unlikely friendship. This was a quick and interesting read; and one I would recommend to anyone with an interest in the Victorian era; or Royal History.11 of 12 people found the following review helpful. I would recommend it to anyone keen to fill in more detail ...By davidreadsI read this book with interest as I had previously been looking at Victoria's life story. The author has done a very thorough job of describing events in the final stages of the reign. Through this work we see a clearer picture of the elderly queen as she comes once more to rely on a male figure in her life; this time what turns out to be a controversial character who provokes a high degree of prejudice and racism from both the monarch's advisors and staff. Just how this affects the royal situation and compares with today's attitudes is very interesting and it gives us further insight to Victoria's personality.The book is somewhat long and the detail becomes a little repetitive but the author certainly covers the ground meticulously. I would recommend it to anyone keen to fill in more detail about the life and times of a great historical figure.15 of 15 people found the following review helpful. A MUST READBy Simrit SinghVictoria Abdul is a wonderful account of Queen Victoria of England with one of her closest confidante's Abdul Karim.The author Shrabani Basu has obviously researched the topic; in depth and her work has paid off. This book is quite capturing and gives a wonderful look into the personality of Queen Victoria; as well as; the amazing rise and fall of Abdul Karim's social status and power.In 1887; Queen Victoria requested for some Indian servants to be on attendance as she expected many of the Indian Royals for her Jubilee Celebrations. Along with Abdul; another servant Muhammed Buksh came. However; as soon as Queen Victoria saw Abdul; she was almost in awe of him. Almost immediately; he was singles out to become her Hindustani (Urdu) tutor and as he must have hardly known English; he was given tuition for that.From being a hand help; he started doing secretarial jobs and soon afterwards became known as The Munshi.Prior to Abdul coming to England; the Queen had a servant; John Brown; with whom she was extremely close. There have been strong suggestions throughout history that they may have had a sexual relationship and might have married secretly; as well. As would have been obvious; the Household disliked him. He was a rude; course man but was completely devoted to the Queen. Unfortunately for her; John Brown died in 1883 and left a void in her heart which seemed to heal after Abdul's arrival.The household became jealous of Abdul's position and they all tried desperately to open the Queen's eyes to his faults. But no matter how hard they tried; she was completely blinded by Abdul.Abdul was obvious of the power he held over the Queen and in fact; he took advantage of his position. In 1890; only 3 years after his arrival; the Queen became determined to grant the 'Munshi' a generous amount of land in his home town Agra. In order to achieve this ; she began a long drawn out communication with the Viceroy of India - Lord Landsdowne; and the secretary of state for India; Lord Cross. It was to the point of harassment for the 2 gentlemen. Her purpose was to ensure that Karim and his family would be comfortable after her death. Finally; the land grant was given and his father was given a title equivalent to the Knighthood; i.e. 'Khan Bahadur'.In 1894; The 'Munshi' had further climbed the social ladder. When the Queen travelled; he was never placed with the Indian servants. In Europe; he was given his own carriage with a footman on board. By now; his wife and mother in law were also in England and every time there were female visitors for the Queen for the Queen ; she made it a point that they must also call upon the Munshi's wife ; which further enhanced his social status.Abdul Karim was decorated with many medals and honours. He was given the CIE ( Companion of the Indian Empire) and the CVO ( Companion of the Royal Victorian Order) despite much outcry from the Royal Household.There must have been prejudice against him as well. Indians were still looked down upon by the British. Yet; he was further given a few cottages and homes in England.Not only was Abdul unaffected by all the ill well directed at him; he became extremely arrogant and made it a point to correct media reports whenever he was referred to as a servant. And he made it a point that he was mentioned specifically; in the Queen's entourage; with his full decorations.After the Queen's death in 1901; as per her wishes; after her family and members of the household; the Munshi was allowed to spend a moment alone with his Queen. He was the last person to see her alone. He was given the further privilege of walking in her funeral procession along with her family.Those were the last of the privileges seen by Abdul; as the new King - Edward VII; sent him back to Agra after burning whatever correspondence they found between Abdul and the Queen.In 1909; at the age of 46; Abdul Karim passed away childless. He had spent the last few years of his life comfortably in Agra; near the lands granted to him by the Queen. It must have been hard after all the power he had held back in England.I found this book absolutely fascinating and not to be missed if one likes historical books.
