In "Social Settlement Movement in Chicago," Josephine Hunt Raymond provides a comprehensive analysis of the social settlement movement in Chicago during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The book explores the history of settlement houses and their impact on urban social reform, focusing on the pioneering efforts of Jane Addams and her colleagues at Hull-House.

Raymond's research is thorough and well-documented, drawing on a variety of primary sources to paint a vivid picture of life in Chicago's impoverished neighborhoods. She examines the motivations of settlement workers, the challenges they faced, and the lasting legacy of their work on Chicago's social welfare system.

One of the strengths of the book is Raymond's ability to place the settlement movement in its larger historical context, connecting it to broader trends in urbanization, industrialization, and social reform. She also provides valuable insights into the debates and controversies surrounding settlement work, highlighting the tensions between charity and activism, assimilation and cultural preservation.

Overall, "Social Settlement Movement in Chicago" is a valuable contribution to the literature on urban social reform and the history of social work. Raymond's thoughtful analysis and engaging writing style make this book a must-read for anyone interested in the history of social movements and the struggle for social justice.

Book Description:
This is Ms. Raymond's thesis submitted for the awarding of her master's degree from the University of Wisconsin Raymond clearly knows her subject well and describes the aims and practices of the various social settlements established in disadvantaged districts in the City of Chicago and with detail enough to offer a brief but comprehensive view of the social settlement ideal then in place at the turn of the 19th Century in Chicago and other major American cities. - Summary by KevinS