Don't Make No Waves...Don't Back No Losers: An Insiders' Analysis of the Daley Machine (Midland Books: No. 202) (Paperback)

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Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Tis is simply the best book that has been written about politics in Chicago. In the words of Andrew M. Greeley, "It is a very astute and dispassionate analysis of Chicago political life -- far and away the best I have ever seen. Rakove is without illusions about either the right or the left." Rakove brings to his study an intimate knowledge of Chicago and the Daley machine, a practitioner's understanding of street-level politics, and a scholar's background in political theory. Blending anecdote with theory and description in a lively style, Rakove has bridged the gap between scholar and layman in a work that will appeal to both.

Product Details

• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: Indiana University Press (September 1, 1976)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0253202027
• ISBN-13: 978-0253202024
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 5.8 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #661,204 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars An Academician's Inside Look at the Chicago Machine:, August 28, 2000

By	Bruce Anderson (Hinsdale, IL USA) - See all my reviews

An excellent analysis of Chicago politics and government under Richard J. Daley Sr. Describes the underpinnings of "machine" government from the perspective of classic political theory, emphasizing the strengths of its democratic process while acknowledging the negative impact on those who were disenfranchised under Daley's system (principally African-Americans and "reformers".) Best read with Mike Royko's "Boss: Richard J. Daley of Chicago," for two well-written and well-reasearched contrasting views. (Also check out Robert Caro's "The Power Broker," about New York's Robert Moses -- probably the best book available on machine-style politics).

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Insightful Look, March 19, 2008

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

Political scientist Milton Rakove (1918-1983) from the University of Chicago offers insights into the long reign (1955-1976) of Mayor Richard J. Daley (1902-1976) and the political organization (or machine) that Daley ruled but did not create. This book captures some of the cold-hearted, hard-muscled essence of Chicago ward politics. It also shows the winners and losers in that system, and gives a feel of why certain interests (blacks, reformers) felt left-out. This informative book's slightly stiff academic style may lead some readers to prefer journalistic examinations by Mike Royko (BOSS) and Len O'Connor (CLOUT, REQUIM).

This book was written in 1972 or 1973, when the still-powerful machine was early in its decline. At this writing the machine is far weaker and altered, yet still exists with some potency. Also, from 1979-1989 Chicago had a female and two Black mayors, and since 1989 Daley's son has reigned with support from many (but not all) reformers that once opposed his father.

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Good but Flawed Study, June 6, 2000

By	Timothy P. Cleary "tpcleary3" (Hartsville, SC) - See all my reviews

Rakove's study of the late 1960's early 1970's Chicago machine is biased due to the fact that he studied the Mafia-controlled 25th ward, thus studying a ward that had a much higher local authority than most wards.