In "A History of the Chicago Portage," Benjamin Sells delivers a captivating narrative that sheds light on one of the most significant yet often overlooked sites in early American history. Spanning seven miles, the Chicago Portage served as a crucial link between the Chicago and Des Plaines Rivers, shaping the destiny of a region and a nation.

Sells's meticulous research and engaging storytelling skillfully unveil the layers of history embedded in this vital waterway. From its origins as a trade route for indigenous peoples to its strategic importance in the geopolitical struggles between European powers, the Chicago Portage emerges as a microcosm of America's complex past.

While some sections may be dense for casual readers, such as the geological history of the land formations, the core narrative of the portage's history is both accessible and compelling. Despite the challenges of preservation and restoration, Sells's work ensures that the legacy of the Chicago Portage will not be forgotten.

Disclosure: A free advanced electronic copy was provided by Northwestern University Press via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I live in the Chicago area and had heard of the Portage, but never really knew its importance or where it was. This well-researched book cleared up all that for me. The author explains the geography of the area and how the portage was formed, discusses the indigenous peoples who lived in the area, and details the arrival of the French and English explorers who saw the potential for enhancing the fur trade and laid the foundation for Chicago. I frequently found myself saying I've been there and never realized its significance. This is a great book for history lovers.

As a lifelong Chicagoan, I thought I knew Chicago history better than most, but I am aware that there will always be more to learn. “A History of the Chicago Portage: The Crossroads That Made Chicago and Helped Make America” by Benjamin Sells helps to fill in some of the gaps about when and how Chicago got its start.

We always hear about Jean Baptiste Point du Sable, Jacques Marquette, and Louis Joliet, but this book makes it clear why they were all focused on this area: the Chicago Portage, a seven-mile-long connection between the Chicago and Des Plaines Rivers, a link between the Mississippi River and the Atlantic Ocean. The Native Americans saw the value in this area, followed by the French, British, and finally the US.

Mr. Sells does a great job following the various sources to tell the story of the portage – from the natives using the portage to move from place to place, to the French fur traders selling their merchandise, to the British trying to control the Midwest, and finally to the US attempting to forge a nation. As usual, as the land becomes more valuable the Native Americans get pushed out, a sad history that is repeated over and over. With the building of the I&M Canal, the portage becomes a forgotten bit of history, with many of the sites disappearing and soon forgotten. Mr. Sells tells us about some restoration efforts, but it may be too late to save this bit of Chicago (and US) history.

I have to admit that parts of this book were hard for me to get through – the opening geographical history of the land formations was a bit tedious, the ending detailed discussions of plans for site preservation and interpretation centers that went nowhere could have been trimmed a bit, some of the historical document quotations were a bit long. But the main part, the history of the portage and early Chicago, was well done and great to read and learn about.

I requested and received a free advanced electronic copy from Northwestern University Press via NetGalley. Thank you!

A History of Chicago Portage: The Crossroads That Made Chicago and Helped Make America by Benjamin Sells is a fascinating account of one of the most important yet forgotten sites in not only early Chicago's history, but that of the United States of America. Sells' thoroughly researched and fascinating account of the Chicago Portage brings new life to the waterway that made the city of Chicago possible, detailing the history of the Chicago Portage from the time of ice sheets and glaciers to the present. Illustrated with detailed maps and figures, this book is a fascinating read for anyone who is interested in the city of Chicago and history of the Midwest United States.

As a Chicago native, local librarian, and genealogist, this book has given me a deeper understanding and appreciation of the region that I call home.

Thank you to Benjamin Sells, Northwestern University Press, and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of this book for my honest review.