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Rating: 
Summary: Makes points just for existing
Review: Perhaps one of the fondest memories of any Chicago childhood is the Christmas lights. We love our decorations, and in some parts of the city, we go all out, turning our homes into little "winter wonderlands" for our own pleasure and that of our friends, neighbors, and often carloads of strangers who cruise the more decorated neighborhoods. That's why I snarfed up this book as soon as I knew it existed, and for the most part, I wasn't disappointed. Edsey covers a lot of the best areas for decorations, gives some historical background, and displays a real love for her subject, which strikes a responsive chord in me. However, I was disappointed in the photography which was a bit fuzzy and rather darker than I would have liked. Now, granted, all this has to be shot in the dark for maximum effect, but holiday magazines manage to make their photographs crisp and clear, with little loss of architectural detail. And I know it's not about the architecture, but that always will inform the way the decorations appear to onlookers. To lose those details is to lose some of what makes the lights and decorations so appealing.However, nothing else like this exists, and I have to give high marks to this volume if only on that count. It's way better than nothing! So if you're a Christmas junkie and a Chicago lover, then by all means, buy this book, and enjoy.
Rating:
Summary: Makes points just for existing
Review: Perhaps one of the fondest memories of any Chicago childhood is the Christmas lights. We love our decorations, and in some parts of the city, we go all out, turning our homes into little "winter wonderlands" for our own pleasure and that of our friends, neighbors, and often carloads of strangers who cruise the more decorated neighborhoods. That's why I snarfed up this book as soon as I knew it existed, and for the most part, I wasn't disappointed. Edsey covers a lot of the best areas for decorations, gives some historical background, and displays a real love for her subject, which strikes a responsive chord in me. However, I was disappointed in the photography which was a bit fuzzy and rather darker than I would have liked. Now, granted, all this has to be shot in the dark for maximum effect, but holiday magazines manage to make their photographs crisp and clear, with little loss of architectural detail. And I know it's not about the architecture, but that always will inform the way the decorations appear to onlookers. To lose those details is to lose some of what makes the lights and decorations so appealing. However, nothing else like this exists, and I have to give high marks to this volume if only on that count. It's way better than nothing! So if you're a Christmas junkie and a Chicago lover, then by all means, buy this book, and enjoy.
Rating:
Summary: Makes points just for existing
Review: Perhaps one of the fondest memories of any Chicago childhood is the Christmas lights. We love our decorations, and in some parts of the city, we go all out, turning our homes into little "winter wonderlands" for our own pleasure and that of our friends, neighbors, and often carloads of strangers who cruise the more decorated neighborhoods. That's why I snarfed up this book as soon as I knew it existed, and for the most part, I wasn't disappointed. Edsey covers a lot of the best areas for decorations, gives some historical background, and displays a real love for her subject, which strikes a responsive chord in me. However, I was disappointed in the photography which was a bit fuzzy and rather darker than I would have liked. Now, granted, all this has to be shot in the dark for maximum effect, but holiday magazines manage to make their photographs crisp and clear, with little loss of architectural detail. And I know it's not about the architecture, but that always will inform the way the decorations appear to onlookers. To lose those details is to lose some of what makes the lights and decorations so appealing. However, nothing else like this exists, and I have to give high marks to this volume if only on that count. It's way better than nothing! So if you're a Christmas junkie and a Chicago lover, then by all means, buy this book, and enjoy.
Rating: 
Summary: Great Book!
Review: Some of my fondest memories are of driving around with my parents, and later with my children, to wonder at the displays of those few festive folks that help make Christmas more joyous for us all. My mother and father drove us to the two streets in our small town where people bothered to sparkle as a community in tribute to the birth of love. In Chicago, those communities are in abundance....but who would ever know...unless somebody told them. In her book Mary Edsey tells everybody . She shows them, too. She seems to know everything about Christmas lights in Chicago...the history, the story behind the families that make the displays, the whereabouts, the types of bulbs and figurines used. And she shows us everything in detailed photos. It's like looking at a family album. Plus...She has maps to every display! It's great table entertainment as well as a wonderful guide. I highly recommend this book to any lover of Christmas and the lights that come with it!
Rating:
Summary: A terrific guide to a memorable Christmas outing
Review: This book has it all! It has precise directions and maps that make it easy to find the most spectacular holiday displays; it has fascinating stories about the decorators; and it even has helpful hints on decorating your own home for Christmas. The photographs are beautiful--they really inspire the yuletide spirit! This book helped my family experience a delightful holiday adventure--my kids are still talking about it! I think we've created a new Christmastime tradition with the help of Ms. Edsey''s glorious book!
Rating:
Summary: Chicago Books in Review
Review: This book was reviewed in Chicago Books in Review (Winter 1995-6). The following are some quotes from that review. You may use them with attribution to CBR.: "After reading (the) book, thousands...will discover the joy of touring the wondrous displays that our... industrious and creative fellow Chicagoans have produced for us..." "First, it is an excellent Chicago pictorial..." "Second, this is an extremely 'user friendly' guidebook.." "Third...it's a wonderful collection of history- a history of Christmas lights, histories of neighborhood, histories of individuals and families, and histories of holidays in Chicago..." "No matter your attitude about Christmas, you'll find this book enjoyable. Even the most cynical Scrooge will be tempted to take a tour of these delightful sites on the way to Tiny Tim's with the holiday turkey. This book is a treasure, it should become a Chicago holiday tradition." Robert Remer Publisher Chicago Books in Review
Rating:
Summary: Chicago Books in Review
Review: This book was reviewed in Chicago Books in Review (Winter 1995-6). The following are some quotes from that review. You may use them with attribution to CBR.: "After reading (the) book, thousands...will discover the joy of touring the wondrous displays that our... industrious and creative fellow Chicagoans have produced for us..." "First, it is an excellent Chicago pictorial..." "Second, this is an extremely 'user friendly' guidebook.." "Third...it's a wonderful collection of history- a history of Christmas lights, histories of neighborhood, histories of individuals and families, and histories of holidays in Chicago..." "No matter your attitude about Christmas, you'll find this book enjoyable. Even the most cynical Scrooge will be tempted to take a tour of these delightful sites on the way to Tiny Tim's with the holiday turkey. This book is a treasure, it should become a Chicago holiday tradition." Robert Remer Publisher Chicago Books in Review
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