Book Review: The Loop: The “L” Tracks that Shaped and Saved Chicago

The Loop: The “L” Tracks that Shaped and Saved Chicago. Patrick J. Reardon. Southern Illinois University Press, December 17, 2020, Trade Paperback, 304 pages.

Reviewed by David Steven Rappoport.

The Loop is a meticulous and captivating Chicago tale of visionary ambition seasoned with corruption; a “biography of a structure that has shaped and saved Chicago,” a “stumpy 2.1-mile-long rectangle of railroad tracks that runs twenty feet . . . above four downtown streets.”

Reardon, “Chicago’s pre-eminent urban affairs journalist” and now a freelance writer and poet, discusses “how the elevated Loop came to be, how it rooted Chicago’s downtown in a way unknown to other cities, how it played an important role in unifying the ‘schizophrenic’ three-sided city, and how it protected Chicago’s downtown—and the city itself—from the full effects of suburbanization . . . during the second half of the twentieth century.” In so doing, he argues the Loop has become as iconic to Chicago as the Brooklyn Bridge is to New York City.

The chaotic history of transportation in Chicago includes horse-drawn conveyances and cable car “loops” that preceded the “L” system with frequent and dangerous sudden stops and starts and occasional collisions. The cable cars were replaced by trolleys and then by “Union Loop” elevated trains in 1897.

The book is comprehensive and full of anecdotes and Chicago characters. One character is Charles T. Yerkes, a man proclaimed a “proud and haughty bandit” by one commentator and a “five-star, aged-in-oak, 100-proof bastard" by another. Yerkes maneuvered the Union Loop into existence for personal gain but, in so doing, transformed Chicago. Yerkes was also a central figure in the development of the London tube. It seems he is remembered for this accomplishment in England but perhaps because of his veniality – excessive even by Chicago standards – he is forgotten here. Canadian-born John Alexander Low Waddell, a man with a “robust constitution…not known for his humility,” was a civil engineer hired by Yerkes in 1894. Waddell, who is considered a seminal figure in his field, designed the system and went on to be decorated in four countries for his work on other projects. Curiously, his work on the Loop is also apparently largely forgotten.

In the latter parts of the book, Reardon describes how the “Union Loop” became “the Loop.” He discusses the impact of the “elevated structure on the central business district” as well as more broadly on Chicago, detailing a complex tale of planning, happenstance, and politics as the Loop misses expansion and avoids removal.

The Loop will engage the casual Chicago reader as well as the academic, and serves as an important contribution to Second City history. With Reardon driving, The Loop reliably and entertainingly takes us where we need to go.

Book Review: The Biscuit & Timely Tales

The Biscuit & Timely Tales. T. L. Needham. Outskirts Press, June 16, 2020, Trade Paperback and E-book, 164 pages.

Reviewed by Charles Kuner.

In The Biscuit & Timely Tales, T. L. Needham uses a mixture of art, poetry, factual stories, photography, and his excellent skill as a storyteller to weave together a living expression of his family. The reader can easily identify with the Needham family as they live and seek dreams that most Americans can easily recognize. Needham's writing style is sparse, simple, and straightforward, reflecting the people of whom he writes. The result is a clear and living portrait of the Needham Family, free of guile and secrets. 

The “timely tales” within this volume show that the family has simple and clear rules of conduct and behavior that are exhibited throughout and consistently reveal the old values of trust, independence, responsibility, love, respect, kindness, and morality. Additionally, there are ideas of hard work, empathy, and redemption, and the family bonds depicted reflect a philosophical humanism. Needham tells stories that embody universal experiences and feelings that are relatable and easily compare to the reader's personal experiences and families.

Time, its uses and misuses, is a thematic connection running through all of the stories, as is illustrated by the title and the cover photograph showing a man holding a “biscuit” or pocket watch. However, as used in these stories, time is more profound than merely checking the time of day. They include stories and poetry dealing with various kinds of time, such as wasting time as life’s meter is running, the time travel of memory, and running out of time. Throughout The Biscuit, time is of the essence, especially if we hope to make a difference and find accomplishment in our lives before our time is up, as there is no do-over and childhood cannot be regained, even for a night.

For the Needham Family, the suffering inflicted by living is part of their legacy, which leads to wisdom and strengthens familial bonds. In the long run, it is how we deal with the tougher aspects of living, which determines who we really are.

A secondary theme of this volume of stories is one of abstract mystical spirituality. The final story in the collection, “The Ring," deals with the circle of life. Here, Needham listens to his friends and family's spiritual guidance as he closes his own circle in the quest to be reunited with his family and his ancestors. A man goes from dust to dust and from the spirit world back to the spirit world—this is the metaphorical significance of "The Ring." Is this merely the author’s imagined and hoped for reality, or is it simply coincidental? Is it just something that Needham stubbornly wants to believe to be true? As Needham would say, only time will tell.

The success of this collection is in part due to its format. There is a cohesion that links quotations, poetry, factual stories, and photographs into a whole. This format gives a rhythm and flow to the memories with the poetry serving as prelude or overture to many stories. In this collection, everything has its place.

At this time in America, we need to feel solace, empathy, guidance, comfort, and a sense of justice. Needham’s collection of family memories and poetry helps to provide that solace and inspiration with its upbeat stories and lessons. The Needhams do not emerge from tragedy emptyhanded, but bonded to one another, as their factual stories emphasize the importance of family ties. They refuse to see people as tribal groups as they judge each person as an individual. 

Some of the stories in this collection moved me emotionally, and readers will find an affinity with this family. Considering the current hard times, the Needham family and their ancestors remind me of my beloved parents. We were poor and yet managed to survive on our love for each other. This book was a needed reminder of just how creative, tender, and kind human beings can be, and these are all exemplified by the Needham family.

We may not know how our current “Age of Anxiety” may end, but the Needhams teach us that we are not helpless puppets and that we can rise above the turmoil and survive these dark and rough times, as we have in the past. Shakespeare reminds us, “Those who make the worst use of their time most complain of its shortness.” The clock of life is always ticking, so do not waste the time given to you. 

Book Review: The Unplanned Life

The Unplanned Life: The Journey of Roger Badesch. Roger Badesch. Eckhartz Press, June 25, 2020, Trade Paperback and E-book, 340 pages.

Reviewed by Gerry Souter.

Perhaps a more apt title would be "The Unplanned Book of Roger Badesch." Normally, this would signal the retelling of a tedious ego trip that offers neither lessons nor entertainment for the reader. The book is mostly a chronological recitation of Roger's life, and therein lies the hook. He's had a damned interesting roller coaster life, a life summed up in a quote early on in the journey: “Man makes plans, God Laughs.”

His huge fan base comprises everyone who has met him, listened to him on the radio, learned from him in the classroom, or drawn upon his wisdom by osmosis. What staggered me as a reader was his mirror image of my life. As I read, place names pelted me like a spring shower. It was spooky. His love affair with radio shows, the newspaper route, a gang of kids living in the shadow of tougher Polish and Irish kids from steel mill families who perfected their pounding skills on us—I was there before him. It gave me a vivid image of my neighborhood's future life as I read his anecdotes and life tales from 10 years later.

Roger's journey is divided into two major parts, with a little bit of both parts suffused into each other.

The first half is a patchwork of anecdotes about his ascending the ladder of low wattage student radio-music and interview shows to arrive at Chicago’s City Hall Press Room at WKQX-FM as a street reporter and sometimes news anchor, ultimately serving in the Mayor’s Press Office for five years under Jane Byrne and Harold Washington. After a private-sector stint in advertising and public relations, the now-husband and father could fulfill a secret yearning—to return to school as a teacher. Making use of school radio and TV facilities, first at Downers Grove North, then migrating to Chicago Vocational Career Academy, he took that student raw material and, during a “whirlwind summer vacation,” assembled a 17-minute film titled “The Last Stain,” that went on to win an Emmy Award. In 2013 Badesch was re-elected Communications Chair of the Two Year/Small Schools Division of the Broadcast Education Association. He had achieved his childhood dreams of being on the radio and so much more.

The second part of this book is titled “Chapter Nine—The ‘C’ Word,” a title that says it all. On August 2012, Roger began another fight, this time for his life, battling cancer. He wanted to keep teaching at Roberto Clemente Community Academy and covered the pain as well as he could. At home, he had his dog, Rufus, to comfort him. In the next to last chapter, his son, David, took over typing for Roger as the insidious disease attempted to eviscerate his father. Courage runs deep in the Badesch family. But you don’t accomplish what Roger did without grit, and the next goal he had set was to finish this book. And here it is, all 362 pages, told with that straight-from-the-shoulder news anchor’s voice.

Live long, Roger. You’ve set a high bar, unplanned or not.

Book Review: The Scheduler

The Scheduler: A Howard Watson Intrigue. Joann Fastoff. Self-published, June 15, 2020, Trade Paperback and E-book, 104 pages.

Reviewed by Opal Freeman.

The Scheduler is a well-written book full of suspense, surprises, and excitement. The story reminds me of a rollercoaster ride—ups, downs, turns, but daring. JoAnn Fastoff has created a scenario with developing events while linking a group of people to solve a serial murderer's shootings. I really enjoyed reading the book. I also gained a better understanding of the book's cover with a clock, a rifle, and tennis racket. The sixth novel in the Howard Watson Intrigue series is very entertaining and held my attention as I read page to page, from beginning to end. Fastoff writes with excitement and intensity as she educates the reader in the world of investigation and research in the truest form. She educates the reader by demonstrating in great detail the culture, workmanship, and collaboration of the CIA, FBI, and the military as they all work to solve a serial killer's crimes. 

Howard Watson was a participant in a friend and colleague's wedding, which was interrupted when his friend was shot at the ceremony. He is challenged with questions as to why someone would want to shoot his friend. He supports his friend through his recovery and is committed to reaching a conclusion about why the incident occurred.  He is respected by his colleagues and friends for his expertise in criminal investigations and solving cases and leads the investigation as an FBI Supervisory Agent.

To properly investigate and solve this shooting, Howard collaborates with colleagues from Criminal Investigative Division (CID), Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI), Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), military personnel, local police departments, and other resources to facilitate several meetings and distribution of documents highlighting facts relative to the case.  This communication is essential to ensure everyone is on the same page. All participants receive assignments with schedules regarding how to proceed. While reviewing what has happened to their CIA colleague, they are notified of four other shootings. The other shootings occurred in Dallas, Chicago, Detroit, and Tempe, Arizona. After receiving this information, they use all resources available to determine what the shooters have in common. All hands are on deck to discover as much as possible about the victims, dead or alive. The story's framework provides the reader with an in-depth history of all participating agencies as they work with efficiency to identify and capture the serial murderer.

The uncertainty and excitement of what will happen next propel the reader to keep reading and turning the pages while staying engaged in the resolution to the unknown shooter's methods. A thorough investigation provides a link to why these five men are targets.

The presentation of each character as they performed their duties clearly demonstrated the knowledge of their jobs, and their individuality, motivation, and commitment to complete the tasks at hand. The author was able to bring the characters to life successfully.

I had fun reading this book, and I recommend this book to other readers who enjoy suspense and excitement.

Book Review: Kind Eyes: Gentle Reading for Troubled Times

Kind Eyes: Gentle Reading for Troubled Times. Mary Hutchings Reed. Ampersand, Inc., June 22, 2020, Trade Paperback and E-book, 144 pages.

Reviewed by Lisa Sherman.

In Kind Eyes: Gentle Reading for Troubled Times, Reed presents a collection of short stories that shine a light on the intricacies of the human experience. Reed’s stories are written with depth and thoughtfulness, and explore everyday people wrestling with unique yet relatable situations.

Reed’s collection contains fourteen stories, each impactful in a unique way. One of my favorites was “Kind Eyes,” the title story in which Reed tells the tale of a homeless teenager who cons the protagonist into giving him money. Aware she is being duped, she struggles to reconcile her feelings of being taken advantage of and helped by the con. This contrast provides a fascinating look at the complexity of our reactions to events that arise in our lives.

In “Herbert Saffir, Measurer of Hurricanes,” Reed presents a man visiting his aging mother in an assisted living facility, and examines the challenges of coming to terms with the changes the man sees in his mother due to her deteriorating memory while showcasing his continuing love for her.

“Boone’s Rules” discusses the extent to which we want to know about our mortality. A man turns to an old friend’s rules to live by as he struggles with the decision of whether he should open an envelope containing his fiancée’s test results and learn if she carries a gene for a fatal hereditary disease, or if it would be best to go on with their lives without that knowledge. 

“Like Manna from Heaven” discusses the conflicted feelings of a building fire survivor who receives a sizable settlement award. The protagonist struggles with a desire to protect the award from people trying to get their hands on it. She struggles with requests from her brother, who she wants to help navigate a dangerous situation while suspecting he is taking advantage of her.

In “Even Monkeys Fall from Trees,” an attorney deals with issues of worthiness as his peers give him a high honor, and in “Sweet Prince,” a chaplain whose reputation has been wrongfully smeared, turns to his faith for guidance.

I very much enjoyed reading the stories in this collection. Each story highlights elements of the human condition and portrays the characters with warmth and compassion. Reed’s empathy for her characters shines through and enables the reader to relate to them deeply. I also appreciated the references to Chicago that the author weaves into many of the stories. Her descriptions of Chicago buildings and locations pulled me into the stories and were so vivid that I felt as if I might have been there at one time or another. I also enjoyed Reed’s references to aspects of the legal system. Each subtle nod to the legal profession highlighted her vast knowledge. 

Kind Eyes: Gentle Reading for Troubled Times is a fantastic read. In today’s times, when many people feel disconnected from others, the stories in Reed’s book will leave readers feeling like they just shared a conversation over a coffee with a close friend.