One of my Christmas gifts this year was a book by Karen Abbott titled Sin in the Second City. Yes, we're a geeky family like that.
It's a well written and engaging read about the two sisters who ran the most notorious brothel in
Chicago's Levee district at the turn of the 20th Century. There must have been a massive amount of research done for this book. Her bibliography was extensive (and has increased my reading list). Even though the book is very factual, it is never dry. If it hadn't been for family obligations associated with the holidays, I would have finished quicker than the day and a half in which I actually read it.
If you have an interest in American history and strong women, I highly recommend it.
