Lavishly illustrated and full of practical home-entertaining know-how, this book will appeal to everyone from first-time hosts to seasoned party-throwers. Author, designer, and HGTV host Monica Pederson will inspire and teach readers how to entertain at home with her exclusive insider tips. Her book shows readers how to create beautiful, innovative parties for a range of occasions and budgets. Monica Pedersen Make it Beautiful is a step-by-step guide featuring simple, must-know party planning secrets, in addition to social etiquette tips and how to dress for each event. Pedersen explains how readers can work with what they have in their home when planning a party, taking direction from their very own interiors and generating creative ideas. In 10 gorgeous chapters, Pedersen presents 10 separate parties--each for its own occasion and with its own themes--using her accessible approach and distinctive style to set the tone. For each party, Pedersen assembles a presentation board the same way she would for a design client, with dazzling sample fabrics, flowers, colors, renderings, descriptions, invitations and party favors. Each chapter will also feature sample menus from some of the nation’s top celebrity chefs, including the Wynn Hotel’s Paul Bartolotta and Top Chef's All-Star Fabio Viviani. Mike Ditka of Chicago Bears fame and owner of Chicago's fabled Ditkas Restaurant, even provides a special Super Bowl menu. Also included are exclusive wine pairings from Napa Valley’s Rutherford Hill Winery, to round out this reader-friendly guide to all-around entertaining. Pedersen, a former fashion model and popular HGTV host who appears regularly on the Today Show and Live with Kelly &amp; Regis, will feature prominently throughout this inspirational, do-it-yourself party-planning book. Using her mother’s fabulous parties as inspiration, Pedersen offers up her personal take on entertaining--the same know-how that’s made her one of the go-to designer-hosts on HGTV--by pairing old traditions with new opportunities This book is sure to become the go-to guide for those who want to host stylish and beautiful events in their own homes.

Monica Pedersen Make It Beautiful: Designs and Ideas for Entertaining at Home

Arts & Photography

Pedersen, Monica

History & Criticism

Agate Midway

This beautiful new book by 30-year-old writer and photographer Anna H. Blessing introduces readers to the story of the modern heartland farm. The book explores how sustainable practices--and close ties to high-profile chefs and restauranteurs--have propelled the "locally grown" culinary movement into a central feature of life in major cities like Chicago. Blessing lays out the rich histories of 25 midwestern farms through beautiful photography, fascinating anecdotes from farmers and chefs, and up-close looks at what makes each farm so unique. Interest in sustainable farming has been growing rapidly across the country and around the world, emphasizing locally produced and grown foods in place of the mass-marketed offerings from corporate consortia. When inhabitants of major cities choose to purchase food raised in nearby farms, they not only support vital satellite economies, but also improve the social and ecological quality of life along with the environmental sustainability of the world around them. Now there are also innumerable top-tier dining establishments, led by esteemed chefs like Charlie Trotter and Paul Kahan, who scour farmers markets for natural ingredients and develop personal business relationships with small-time farmers to supply their restaurants with the best and most sustainable foods. Locally Grown shows how both long-standing and newly founded farms, along with urban farms and metropolitan nonprofit organizations like Growing Power and City Provisions, are boosting the sustainable food movement throughout Chicago and its neighborhoods. Each chapter profiles a different farm, outlining locale, scale, production, and inner workings while also revealing the captivating backgrounds of each farmer. Blessing shows how each farm and farmer are making efforts to improve sustainability, and describes the behind-the-scenes practices that have made locally grown food an increasingly important part of America's food culture. Contributions from each farmer, and from chefs they work with, are included in every chapter, lending an intimate feel to Locally Grown--recipes, how-to's and Q&amp;As that together create a riveting account of the rapidly changing world of modern farming. Beyond profiling these Midwest farms, Locally Grown points out the best places to find, buy, and eat sustainably grown foods, as well as details on visiting the farms.

Locally Grown: Portraits of Artisanal Farms from America's Heartland

Science & Math

Blessing, Anna

Nature & Ecology

<div>Frequently recognized as one of the most influential women of the century -- and considered a heroine by social activists around the globe -- Jane Addams struggled to earn her place in history.A Useful Woman is the definitive resource on the early years of the future founder of the Jane Addams Hull House and the 1931 Nobel Peace Prize winner. During the ongoing economic recovery, Addams' core issues of poverty, wealth equity, and social action continue to be discussed at length by our nation's leaders and the media. At the beginning of our national dialogue on this topic is Jane Addams, and this book reveals her life at the outset of her mission to provide for the poor and underserved.A Useful Woman is the ultimate study on the formative years of not only one of Chicago's most formative figures but also one of the most important women in American history. </div>

A Useful Woman: The Early Life of Jane Addams

Biographies & Memoirs

Diliberto, Gioia

Community & Culture

10 Buildings That Changed America tells the stories of ten influential works of architecture, the people who imagined them, and the way these landmarks ushered in innovative cultural shifts throughout our society. From American architectural stalwarts like Louis Sullivan and Frank Lloyd Wright, to modern revolutionaries like Frank Gehry and Robert Venturi, this book examines the most prominent buildings designed by the most noteworthy architects of our time. Also profiled are Americans less noted for their architectural acumen, but no less significant for their contributions to the field. Thomas Jefferson, a self-taught architect, is profiled for designing the iconic Virginia State Capitol. Taking its inspiration from ancient Rome, America's first major public building forged a philosophical link between America and the world's earliest democracies. We see the legacy of the architects profiled like Mies van der Rohe or H.H. Richardson all around us: in the homes where we live, the offices where we work, our public buildings, and our houses of worship. 10 Buildings is the ideal collection to detail the flashes of inspiration from these architects who dared to strike out on their own and design radical new types of buildings that permanently altered our environmental and cultural landscape.

10 Buildings That Changed America

Protess, Dan

Photography & Video

When it comes to hot dogs, Hot Doug's head chef Doug Sohn is the master of the craft. His introduction of gourmet ingredients and professionally trained culinary flair to the world of encased meats has earned him national recognition and praise. In Hot Doug's: The Book, Sohn takes the reader on a fun, irreverent trip through the history of hot dogs, his restaurant, and the many patrons -- both famous and average Joe -- who have declared Sohn the king of dogs. As told through Sohn's own stories, this book will combine photos, favorite anecdotes, lessons learned, and lists ranging from general restaurant etiquette to most-repeated sausage double-entendres (Doug's heard 'em all). Stories included will reveal fact from the folklore of the restaurant's founding, retell the tale of Hot Doug's infamous 2006 run-in with Chicago City Hall, and even provide accounts of Hot Doug's-inspired tattoos, which if presented upon order privilege the bearer to free hot dogs for life. Contributions from some of Hot Doug's biggest fans will be spread throughout the book, with raves from Paul Kahan, Steve Albini, Dan Sinker, Mindy Segal, Homaro Cantu, Aziz Ansari, many other local and national figures, and an introduction from Graham Elliot.

Hot Doug's: The Book: Chicago's Ultimate Icon of Encased Meats

Sohn, Doug

Professionals & Academics

The New Old Bar is a collection of 200 great classic cocktail recipes that takes the fear out of entertaining and demystifies the party-throwing experience. Much more than an assortment of vintage cocktails (plus 25 terrific small dishes to enjoy while you drink them), The New Old Bar is a how-to manual on bringing mid-century cocktail culture to your home bar. Authors Steve McDonagh and Dan Smith comprise the Chicago restaurant and catering duo known as The Hearty Boys, who were the winners of the very first series of The Next Food Network Star. The Hearty Boys have catered events for President Barack Obama, and they have fed notables from Oprah Winfrey to Hillary Clinton. In this fun and beautifully photographed book, McDonagh and Smith tell readers about the proper tools needed for hosting successful cocktail parties, including vital information on bar setup, equipment needs, and proper shaking and blending techniques. The Hearty Boys have charmed the country with their breezy, insouciant take on food and entertaining, and now they bring the same warmth, humor, and easy expertise to the world of classic cocktails. Drink up!

The New Old Bar: Classic Cocktails and Salty Snacks from The Hearty Boys

Cookbooks, Food & Wine

Smith, Dan

McDonagh, Steve

Beverages & Wine

Today basketball is played above the rim” by athletes of all backgrounds and colors. But 50 years ago it was a floor-bound game, and the opportunities it offered for African-Americans were severely limited. A key turning point was 1963, when the Loyola Ramblers of Chicago took the NCAA men’s basketball title from Cincinnati, the two-time defending champions. It was one of Chicago’s most memorable sports victories, but Ramblers reveals it was also a game for the history books because of the transgressive lineups fielded by both teams. Ramblers is an entertaining, detail-rich look back at the unlikely circumstances that led to Loyola’s historic championship and the stories of two Loyola opponents: Cincinnati and Mississippi State. Michael Lenehan’s narrative masterfully intertwines these stories in dramatic fashion, culminating with the tournament’s final game, a come-from-behind overtime upset that featured two buzzer-beating shots. While on the surface this is a book about basketball, it goes deeper to illuminate how sport in America both typifies and drives change in the broader culture. The stark social realities of the times are brought vividly to life in Lenehan’s telling, illustrating the challenges faced in teams’ efforts simply to play their game against the worthiest opponents.

Ramblers: Loyola Chicago 1963

Lenehan, Michael

Wisconsin Supper Clubs is a resource for and about supper clubs throughout Wisconsin that includes beautiful photographs of the unique supper club interiors, proprietors, and customers, as well as fascinating archival materials. Also recorded in this book are the regional specialties served at these clubs, ranging from popovers and fried pickles in the northern part of the state to Shrimp de Jonghe in the south. One Northwoods supper club even features fry bread, a traditional Native American dish uncommon to most any restaurant. The "supper club experience" is a tradition embodied by many long-standing restaurants scattered throughout the small towns of Wisconsin. It is based around a bygone idea that going out to dinner is an experience that lasts an entire evening. The clubs emphasizing food made from scratch, slow-paced dining, and family-run businesses. Combine this with stately dark-panel decor, complimentary relish trays, and the best brandy Old Fashioned sweet you'll ever have, and you have barely scratched the surface of the Wisconsin supper club's appeal. Author Ron Faiola is the critically acclaimed director and producer of the documentary by the same name. Supper clubs are hugely popular with Wisconsin locals and regularly frequented by all Midwestern foodies "in the know." With Wisconsin Supper Clubs as a guide, these establishments are primed to be choice summer road trip destinations for anyone looking for low-cost vacations this summer. After the successful debut of Faiola's documentary, this book is sure to be a hit throughout the region and beyond.

Wisconsin Supper Clubs: An Old-Fashioned Experience

Faiola, Ron

Kitchen Appliances

When Paula Haney first opened the Hoosier Mama Pie Company on March 14, 2009 (Pi day, appropriately enough), she worried whether her new business could survive by specializing in just one thing. When she opened her storefront that morning and saw a line around the block, she realized she had a more immediate problem: had she made enough pie? The shop closed early that day, but it has been churning out plenty of the Chicago's most delectable pies ever since. Since starting her career as a pastry chef at Trio, one of Chicago's top fine-dining restaurants, Haney dreamed of opening her own pie shop. Exhilarating and exhausting days spent creating fabulous new desserts to keep up with the restaurant's head chef--a then-unknown Grant Achatz, who would go on to culinary superstardom--left Haney in search of classic comfort food on her days off. Her disappointment in being unable to find a good slice of pie in all of Chicago led her to one conclusion: she needed to open her own store. Specializing in hand-made, artisanal pies that only use locally sourced and in-season ingredients, Hoosier Mama Pie Company has become a local favorite and a national destination gaining praise from Bon Appetit, the Food Network, and Food &amp; Wine as one of the top pie shops in the country. Now, The Hoosier Mama Book of Pie delivers all the sumptuous secrets of buttery crusts, fruity fillings, creams and custards, chess pies, over-the-top pies, and even the stout and hearty savory pie. The practically oriented, easy-going, and accessible style of this book will help bakers both new and old make the perfect pie for every occasion. On top of all of this, The Hooser Mama Book of Pie also includes tips on technique, fascinating historical anecdotes, and an emphasis on special seasonal recipes, as well as quiches, hand pies, and scones. This beautifully photographed and designed book has the classic retro feel of the mid-20th century golden age of pie, and all the warmth and personality of the Hoosier Mama Pie Co.'s cozy Chicago storefront. The focus on using local produce and employing the farm-to-table philosophy gives the book a contemporary twist, helping home bakers make the freshest, most delicious pies imaginable. Now readers can take a little piece of the Hoosier Mama Pie Company anywhere they go.

The Hoosier Mama Book of Pie: Recipes, Techniques, and Wisdom from the Hoosier Mama Pie Company

Haney, Paula

Baking

The city of Chicago, the state of Illinois, and the nation at large were captivated by the arrest, trial, and general public embarrassment of Illinois governor Rod Blagojevich. Shortly after Blagojevich's arrest in December 2008, award-winning Chicago Sun-Times federal courts reporter Natasha Korecki began writing "The Blago Blog" to capture the seemingly endless stream of surreal moments, shady political maneuvers, and salty sound bites emanating from the embattled governor, who was accused of trying to sell President Barack Obama's vacated Senate seat, among many other acts in what prosecutor Patrick Fitzgerald called Blagojevich's "political corruption crime spree." Only in Chicago is derived from the best of Korecki's work on the Blagojevich scandal, weaving together years of reporting as well as never-before published details into one straightforward, fast-paced narrative. From the infamous audio tapes released of Blagojevich to the strange public relations campaign he and his wife, Patti, waged throughout the trial, this is one of the most bizarre true political tales ever told. In many people's minds, there was an unprecedented degree of obliviousness to the part played by the eventually impeached Illinois governor, especially given the explicit and seemingly damning audio evidence released to the public. Korecki's reporting reveals inside information from the arrest, trial, and sentencing. Interviews with Blagojevich, his wife, and countless other sources offer lucid insight to this often baffling, frequently humorous, and occasionally tragic epic. Also embroiled in this scandal were some of the most infamous players in Chicago and Illinois's sordid political scene. But beyond the slew of backroom deal-makers who were sucked into the Blagojevich imbroglio, many Illinois Democratic leaders felt the scandal's toxic fallout seep dangerously near. President Barack Obama himself, while never accused of any wrongdoing, was interviewed by federal prosecutors, and union leader Tom Balanoff claimed Obama called him the day before he was to be elected president, giving him the green light to talk to Blagojevich about Obama confidante Valerie Jarrett's potential appointment to his Senate seat. Only in Chicago includes details about now-mayor Rahm Emanuel's discussions with Blagojevich as well. But the other powerful political figure who became most entangled with the scandal was since-resigned Congressman Jesse Jackson Jr., who is accused of offering Blagojevich $6 million for the Senate seat through an intermediary. The investigation was colored by the revelation that Jackson's mysterious months-long medical leave was due to his reported in-patient treatment at the Mayo Clinic for bipolar disorder. Only in Chicago is filled with incredible details from inside and outside the courtroom. Korecki is the authoritative voice on all things Blagojevich, having followed and reported on the story from its very beginning. Her story is focused and engrossing, and this book will prove to be one of the most important—and entertaining—accounts of this indelible scandal ever written.

Only in Chicago: How the Rod Blagojevich Scandal Engulfed Illinois and Enthralled the Nation

Korecki, Natasha

Leaders & Notable People

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