Northsiders: Essays on the History and Culture of the Chicago Cubs

This collection of 19 essays examine the role of baseball’s Cubs in the history and politics of Chicago. They focus on topics such as the rise of a nationwide fan base through the long reach of superstation WGN; the local uses and views of icons Ernie Banks, Ron Santo, and Ryne Sandberg; historical divides along lines of race (on the field) and class (in the stands); Wrigley Field as a public space both sacred and cursed; the importance of local and nationwide media coverage; and the Cubs’ impact on Chicago music and literature.

Gerald C. Wood is chair of the English department and dean of the School of Humanities at Carson-Newman College in Jefferson City, Tennessee. He lives in New Market, Tennessee. Andrew Hazucha is the chair of the Humanities Division and English Department at Ottawa University in Ottawa, Kansas. He lives in Lawrence, Kansas.