Plunkitt of Tammany Hall
Subtitle: a series of very plain talks on very practical politics delivered by ex-senator George Washington Plunkitt, the Tammany Hall philosopher, from his rostrum - the New York County Court House bootblack stand
By: recorded by William L. Riordon ; with an introduction by Peter Quinn ; and a new afterword by Philip Freeman
Contributors: Riordon, William L., 1861-1909; Quinn, Peter (Peter A.), author of introduction; Freeman, Philip, 1961- author for afterword
Series: Signet classics
Publisher: Signet
Published: 2015
Language: eng
Number of pages: 97
ISBN-13: 9780451474131
Subjects: Politicians; Tammany Hall (Political organization); Biography
Description: This classic work offers the unblushing, unvarnished wit and wisdom of one of the most fascinating figures ever to play the American political game and win. George Washington Plunkitt rose from impoverished beginnings to become the ward boss of the Fifteenth Assembly District in New York, a key player in the powerhouse political team of Tammany Hall, and a millionaire. In a series of utterly frank talks given at his headquarters at Graziano's bootblack stand inside New York County Court House, he revealed to a sharp-eared and sympathetic reporter named William L. Riordon the secrets of political success as practiced and perfected by Tammany Hall titans. The result is not only a volume that reveals more about our political system than does a shelf load of civics textbooks, but also an irresistible portrait of a man who would feel happily at home playing ball with today's lobbyists and kingmakers, trading votes for political and financial favors. Doing for twentieth-century America what Machiavelli did for Renaissance Italy, and as entertaining as it is instructive, Plunkitt of Tammany Hall is essential reading for those who prefer twenty-twenty vision to rose-colored glasses in viewing how our government works and why.
Notes: Previously published in Dutton and Meridian editions.