Arnold Hirsch

Arnold R. Hirsch (1945-2018) was an influential American urban historian known for his groundbreaking research on race, housing, and segregation in twentieth-century Chicago. His most significant work, "Making the Second Ghetto: Race and Housing in Chicago, 1940-1960," published in 1983, became a seminal text in urban studies and African American history. Hirsch served as the Ethel and Herman L. Midlo Chair for New Orleans Studies and professor of history at the University of New Orleans. His research fundamentally changed scholarly understanding of how institutional policies, government actions, and private practices shaped racial segregation in modern American cities. Throughout his career, Hirsch focused on documenting how white resistance to racial integration, combined with urban renewal programs and public housing policies, reinforced patterns of racial segregation in post-World War II Chicago. His work demonstrated that the "second ghetto" was not a natural development but rather the result of deliberate policies and actions. Hirsch's scholarly contributions extended beyond Chicago, as he also conducted significant research on race relations and urban development in New Orleans, particularly in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. His analytical framework continues to influence contemporary discussions of urban policy, racial segregation, and social justice in American cities.

Academic readers consistently highlight Hirsch's "Making the Second Ghetto" for its detailed research and clear explanation of how Chicago's housing segregation developed through institutional policies. Readers appreciated: - Thorough documentation of specific policies and decisions - Clear connections between government actions and racial segregation - Accessibility of complex historical analysis - Relevance to current urban issues Common criticisms: - Dense academic writing style - Heavy focus on policy details over personal stories - Limited coverage of community resistance movements Goodreads ratings average 4.27/5 from 182 ratings Amazon ratings average 4.5/5 from 31 reviews One reader noted: "Hirsch meticulously traces how Chicago's power structure actively created segregation." Another mentioned: "The writing can be dry, but the research is invaluable." Most academic reviews cite his work as foundational for understanding urban segregation, though some suggest it could better incorporate resident perspectives.

Making the Second Ghetto: Race and Housing in Chicago 1940-1960 A historical examination of how Chicago's housing policies and urban renewal programs created and reinforced racial segregation patterns during the post-World War II era.

Making the New Urban History: Paradigm and Perspectives An edited collection of essays analyzing methodological approaches to studying urban history, with emphasis on quantitative methods and social science perspectives.

Urban Policy in Twentieth Century America A compilation of scholarly works exploring the development and implementation of urban policies across major American cities throughout the 1900s.

"E Pluribus Duo: Thoughts on Urban History and Race" A detailed article examining the intersection of race relations and urban development in American cities during the twentieth century.

"Less Than Plessy: The Inner City, Suburbs, and State-Sanctioned Residential Segregation in the Age of Brown" An analysis of how residential segregation persisted and evolved in American metropolitan areas after the Brown v. Board of Education decision.

Roger Biles writes urban history focused on race relations and politics in American cities during the 20th century. His work examines how local government policies shaped racial segregation and neighborhood transformation.

Thomas Sugrue analyzes housing discrimination and civil rights activism in northern cities from the 1940s-1970s. His research documents how economic restructuring and institutional racism created and maintained urban inequality.

Kenneth Jackson studies suburbanization and metropolitan development in the United States. His work traces how federal policies and social forces drove white flight and urban decline.

Douglas Massey examines residential segregation and racial stratification in American metropolitan areas. His research quantifies how discriminatory practices in housing markets perpetuate racial separation.

Kevin Kruse focuses on white resistance to civil rights and the politics of suburbanization in the postwar South. His work connects local struggles over segregation to broader changes in conservatism and race relations.