The Great Books Movement, 1920–1948

Abstract

Chicago Mayor Martin Kennelly proclaimed ``Great Books Week'' for the city late in September 1948. Historians note that Kennelly, known as a ``squeaky-clean'' reform mayor, had overseen some lean times, culturally, after World War II and into the early Cold War years. Those barren times caused A. J. Liebling to designate Chicago ``The Second City'' for its lesser achievements in relation to New York City. The down times no doubt fed into enthusiasm for even lesser celebrations such as ``Great Books Week.'' The Chicago Tribune proclaimed the designation recognized ``the Great Books Foundation's cultural and recreational'' contributions to the city. Illinois Governor Dwight Herbert Green and President Harry S. Truman endorsed the event. The week's top attraction was a great books discussion demonstration in Orchestra Hall.1