Comment

American Pharaoh

Mayor Richard J. Daley : His Battle for Chicago and the Nation
May 16, 2011jeffstilwell rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
I came across a study recently that named Daley the most effective mayor in US history. This work explains why and how. Almost a primer on how to build and maintain a big city machine, this work is also nicely written. Cohen takes the time to flesh out the man and where he meets the myth. I found myself cheering along as the story of Daley's rise unfolded, cringing at the worst excesses of his public projects deals, pondering why Chicago Blacks stayed with him to the end, and mourning a bit, his fall. Was Daley a great man? Or was he an average guy who figured out how to do great things? I really enjoyed this book.