Sin in the Second City

Set in Chicago’s Levee district at the turn of the 20th century, Karen Abbott's Sin in the Second City tells the story of the influential Everleigh sisters and their luxurious brothel, which attracted prominent figures and aimed to elevate the lives of their courtesans. Against a backdrop of fierce rivalry, societal reform, and cultural clash, the narrative explores the complex dynamics of corruption, morality, and progress in America’s evolving sexual landscape. Featuring a diverse cast of notable personalities, the book offers a vivid look at a pivotal era in American history marked by tension between hedonism and Puritan values.