In this illustrated, 8.75x11" history, Shortridge (geography, University of Kansas) offers a scholarly treatment of the city's responses to national, regional, and local economic factors. A wealth of historical and contemporary b&w photos, illustrations, plans, and maps will appeal to general readers as well as historians. Shortridge describes the impact of the city's railroads, meat packing industry, and river traffic, and examines the reasons why some urban districts eventually became upscale neighborhoods while others turned into slums. Annotation ©2013 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)