Legend: The Only Inside Story About Mayor Richard J. Daley
These are insider accounts by the press secretaries of Daley, who ruled Chicago for 21 years, and Washington, the city's first black mayor, who unexpectedly died in 1987 in the middle of his second term. Ironically, Daley's son, Richard M. Daley, has been elected to complete Washington's term.-- Ed. Journalist Sullivan's book is an anecdotal, repetitive, and disorganized attempt at describing Daley, a man the author feels few understood. Though contradictory rhetoric worked for Daley, it doesn't for Sullivan. He defends Daley against a host of media and political criticism, but excoriates him for tolerating police corruption and mismanagement. He defends Daley against charges of racism, but admits his boss "wasn't comfortable with Jews and blacks." Some of the author's stories add aura and authenticity to a fragmented narrative, but this is a far cry from Mike Royko's colorful Boss: Richard J. Daley of Chicago ( LJ 6/1/71). Miller's book is more sustained and much better written, and it creates a more coherent (if more favorable) view of his subject than Sullivan's. Discussing in detail how Washington appointed Miller press secretary despite limited political experience (Miller had been a dance company manager), Miller proceeds to paint a complimentary portrait of an earthy and complex figure whose mayoral career was permeated with constant fighting with alderman, the media, and various ethnic groups. This book gives readers a clear and partisan sense of Chicago's weirdly fractured politics. Other books to consult include Paul Kleppner's Chicago Divided (Northern Illinois Univ. Pr., 1985) and Melvin G. Holli and Paul M. Green's Bashing Chicago Traditions: Harold Washington's Last Campaign , published by Eerdmans this month.- Ed. -- Jack Forman, Mesa Coll. Lib., San DiegoCopyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc.