Sin in the Second City by Karen Abbott

This book was very fascinating. The title is enough in itself to attract and the story definitely lived up to my expectations. It is a work of non-fiction (that means not true for those of you who have not been to a library or bookstore since 3rd grade). It's based on the battle for morality in Chicago during the first 2 years of the 20th century.

The Everleigh Club (pronounced ever-lay) is perhaps the most famous American legacy that most of us have never heard of. Minna and Ada Everleigh (one of many last names they have used) opened the most luxurious and exclusive brothel the world had ever seen (and perhaps ever will see) in 1900. It was a mansion filled with all the best things, the things that could be found in any Newport Mansion at the time. They picked only the best girls and trained them in decorum, music, literature, and other gentle arts. They let only the best customers through their doors. In no time the whole country was abuzz with news of this decadent house in the notorious Chicago Levee neighborhood. The name "Everleigh" became synonymous with sexual pleasure, eventually making it's way into American slang ("getting laid"). Local madams were jealous, religious leaders were furious, middle class citizens were appalled. Soon the Everleigh Club became to scapegoat for the Levee and the poster child for reform.

Although the book obviously sides with the sisters, Abbott represents both sides of the battle. The story is written so well that it often read like a novel, rather than research. I highly recommend this book to any history buff, or those just interested in interesting incidents.

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