The Jewish community has long influenced and shaped Chicago, helping the city grow from its humble beginnings to the metropolis it is today. But too often, their contributions are forgotten. In , author James J. Finn documents the lives and achievements of Chicago Jews from 1832 to 1920. The stories of more than five hundred people are included, complete with their own biographies and explanations of how they contributed to Chicago's Jewish and secular communities. Vital statistics such as date of birth, marriages, children, and date of death are also provided when possible. Explore the deep relationship between Jewish pioneers and the first days of Illinois settlement, from the establishment of Chicago to the early 1900s-with Prohibition, the Red Scare, and the resurgence of the Ku Klux Klan gathering on the horizon. Supporting this impressive collection are two indexes, the first of which is a list of events by date and topic. The second allows readers to search for influential Jews by their vocations. Of interest to anyone with a passion for Chicago and Jewish history, is a meticulously researched companion to Hyman Meite's .