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Boss: Richard J. Daley of Chicago
 
 
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Boss: Richard J. Daley of Chicago (Paperback)

~ (Author) "The workday begins early..." (more)
Key Phrases: ward committeeman, ward committeemen, patronage army, City Hall, South Side, Cook County (more...)
4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (30 customer reviews)

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  Hardcover, December 31, 1970 -- $41.84 $0.22
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Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

First published in 1971 when the late Daley was mayor of Chicago, this classic "provides a detailed and, for some, eye-opening account of Daley's rise to absolute control of the Chicago Democratic political machine," said PW , finding the book "sardonic and sometimes hilarious reading."
Copyright 1988 Reed Business Information, Inc.


Product Description

Mike Royko's scathing expose of Chicago's iron-fisted mayor Richard Daley was a national bestseller in its original hardcover and Signet editions. Now published in trade paperback, Boss continues to stand as a classic in American investigative reporting.

Product Details

  • Paperback: 224 pages
  • Publisher: Plume (October 1, 1988)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0452261678
  • ISBN-13: 978-0452261679
  • Product Dimensions: 7.9 x 5.3 x 0.6 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
  • Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (30 customer reviews)
  • Amazon.com Sales Rank: #33,146 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

    Popular in these categories: (What's this?)

    #2 in  Books > History > United States > State & Local > Midwest
    #12 in  Books > History > United States > State & Local > Illinois
    #98 in  Books > Biographies & Memoirs > Leaders & Notable People > Presidents & Heads of State

More About the Author

Mike Royko
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Customer Reviews

30 Reviews
5 star:
 (16)
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 (10)
3 star:
 (3)
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Average Customer Review
4.3 out of 5 stars (30 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
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15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars A Seattle Royko Fan, March 21, 2000
By A Customer
You don't have to be from Chicago to appreciate this book andRoyko's genius as a writer and wry political observer.

His almostmatter-of-fact accounting of the machine corruption in Chicago under Daley is eye opening. Those who analogize it to the Mafia are on point, except its power the politicians are after, rather than just money. It's unbelievable to me that all of the venality was so out in the open and tolerated by the populace.

Particularly interesting was his account of the ethnic and racial evolution in this melting pot of a city. Italian, Polish, Irish, German, and Slavic neighborhoods whose only common theme was their hatred of the blacks. The paradox being that despite the white hatred, the segregation and appalling living conditons, those same white people could count on the black vote come election time, largely because of unscrupulous black ward bosses who cared more about power than helping their constituents.

One of the many things I like about Royko is that after reading his columns for years, I couldn't tell you whether his politics are liberal or conservative. He didn't deal in bromides, just reality. When something wasn't right, he called it on the perpetrators and wasn't hesitant to name names. I really miss the guy.

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17 of 20 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars A great civic lesson, May 11, 2000
Royko's "Boss," lamentably the only book-length work of his brilliant career, is also one of the absolute best books ever written about urban politics. Royko knew Chicago. The city was in his blood. As such, he knew Mayor Daley the elder better than anyone who was not a family member or a member of his administration. Royko shows how the since-deceased Democratic machine ran Chicago, both for the good and the bad. Read it, and you will understand the likes of Congressman Dan Rostenkowski, who ended up in jail because he continued to practice machine politics long after the machine had died. Hats off to Mike Royko. This book is his masterpiece.
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6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars IIt's ALL TRUE!, April 17, 1998
By A Customer
I was born and raised in Chicago, and was an adult at the time of most of the events portrayed in the book. Although some reviewers seemed to find the characterization of Daley far-fetched, it was absolutely on target!
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Most Recent Customer Reviews

3.0 out of 5 stars Inside look in the political machine that continues today
I recommend this book for anyone to learn how American politics works (not just in Chicago). The fact is that the majority, if not all, politicians want only one thing - your... Read more
Published 12 days ago by Thamanjimmy

5.0 out of 5 stars A MUST READ
Upon finishing this book, I was sad to see it end; I wanted more; I wanted the storytelling to never end. Read more
Published 5 months ago by Vanessa Allmon

5.0 out of 5 stars Like Watching Sausage Being Made. It Isn't Pretty
The late Mike Royko knew Chicago and how it worked. His writing style is a perfect match for the subject matter. Read more
Published 8 months ago by Franklin the Mouse

4.0 out of 5 stars The Lord Mayor from Bridgeport
When "Boss" was originally released, the late Eleanor "Sis" Daley, the wife of Mayor Richard J. Daley, decried Mike Royko as a "hater." That was high praise, indeed. Read more
Published 9 months ago by Borowy26

5.0 out of 5 stars Don't overlook the Midwest!
I moved to Chicago six years ago and this was quite the insight for someone that grew up outside of the city. Read more
Published 10 months ago by K.

3.0 out of 5 stars Decent, eye-opening, still relevant
Royko's a solid writer in the old mode of honest journalists. He takes any bias or subjectivity out of his work, which is good. That makes this book eye-opening. Read more
Published 16 months ago by NA Miles

4.0 out of 5 stars Boss
Book came quickly. It was just a little bit more weathered than I expected, but it's an old book so I'm not complaining
Published 22 months ago by Katie R. Smiljanich

4.0 out of 5 stars Chicago's Troll King!
Yup, I too was alive and kicking during most of The Mayor's reign, and I have to agree, it's got the ring of truth to it. Read more
Published on August 24, 2006 by Hammock Rider

4.0 out of 5 stars Machine politics and corruption: Chicago style.
A great read (though dated) of the political machine Richard J Daley enhanced in Chicago. Though Daley himself never pursued the money end of the corruption, his machine enhanced... Read more
Published on July 10, 2006 by Kevin M Quigg

5.0 out of 5 stars Independent Journalism at its best
This is a serious and ambitious coverage of the internal workings of Chicago government. This book didn't make me laugh as Royko's "Sez Who? Sez Me! Read more
Published on March 5, 2006 by Robert Reid

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