Clout: Mayor Daley and His City [Paperback]

Len O'Connor (Author)

Product Details

• Paperback: 288 pages
• Publisher: Contemporary Books (March 1984)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0809254247
• ISBN-13: 978-0809254248
• Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 5.1 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,311,155 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Dated but Realistic, April 5, 2005

By 

K.A.Goldberg (Chicago) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Clout: Mayor Daley and His City (Hardcover)

This solid look at Mayor Richard J. Daley (1902-1976) of Chicago is critical, informative, and realistic. Author Len O'Connor (1912-1991) was a local reporter who covered the local political scene for nearly four decades. Here he begins by covering Daley's youth and steady rise to the top, then his long tenure as mayor (1955-1976) and political leader. O'Connor finds fault with Daley and the corrupt Chicago political machine, yet also acknowledges the man's achievements. This book is often critical of Daley, but it never drops down to a hatchet job. Overall it's a rather realistic look at the politics of the nation's second city.

This book came out shortly before Daley's years in office ended with his passing in late 1976. Readers should also consider BOSS by Mike Royko, a more harshly critical but engaging look at the mayor.