One of the great accomplishments of The Adventures of Augie March is how author Saul Bellow integrates Depression-era Chicago into Augie’s life. Listen in to Chicago historian Dominic Pacyga (author of Chicago: A Biography) for an exploration of the era as represented by Augie’s adventures—labor strikes, welfare, odd jobs, and the refuge sought in pool halls and at boxing matches. This program is presented as part of One Book, One Chicago.

Recorded Wednesday, September 21, 2011 at Chicago Public Library.