The City of Lakes takes a fresh look at Minneapolis' remarkable history from the time centuries ago when it was a remote wilderness, to the present city of finance, industry, and culture, whose residents enjoy a quality of life rarely found in an urban metropolis. ... Joseph Stipanovich's topical presentation of the history of Minneapolis also accounts for the unique character of the community, looking at the contributions of the men and women who settled in the city - the New Englanders and the Scandinavian, German, Polish, and other immigrants - and explaining how seemingly disparate groups struggled to create educational, cultural, social, and political institutions that work well for the entire city. .... Complementing the narrative is a profusion of more than 400 vintage photographs, lithographs, paintings, maps, and 44 pages of brilliant color plates, many of which have never been seen before. These illustrations show in a very special way how the appearance of the city has changed over the centuries, as well as how the people of Minneapolis have integrated their lakes, trees, and open spaces into their everyday lives. (from the dust jacket) Editorial consultant, Harold Chucker; sponsored by the greater Minneapolis Chamber of Commerce. CONTENTS: Introduction by John C. Bailey The First Thre Hundred Years: An Historical Survey From Mills to Microchips: the Triumph of Enterprise Politics in the City of Lakes Yankees and Immigrants: The Making of a Community Partners in Progress by Dick Schaaf