I, Koch: A Decidedly Unauthorized Biography of the Mayor of New York City, Edward I. Koch [Hardcover]

Arthur Browne (Author), Dan Collins (Author), Michael Goodwin (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Written by three New York reporters, this book was originally conceived as a rebuttal to Mayor (LJ 5/1/84). The authors contend that Mayor `` distorted reality by omitting facts that did not fit Koch's view of himself . '' Indeed, the champion of Mayor bears little resemblance to the opportunist depicted by Browne and Co. From the earliest days of his career, the authors contend, Koch has singlemindedly pursued political power to the point of neglecting social relationships entirely. They dismiss the recurrent innuendoes concerning the mayor's sexual preference, portraying Koch as asexual because he devotes himself so completely to self-aggrandizement. More seriously, they quote the mayor of the world's most ethnically diverse city as calling a black congressman a ``Watusi'' and a ``Zulu warrior.'' An essential purchase for libraries that own Mayor . Kathleen Hoeth, NYPL
Copyright 1985 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 304 pages
• Publisher: Dodd Mead; 1st edition (November 1988)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0396086470
• ISBN-13: 978-0396086475
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,919,504 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Flamboyant and Talkative, January 2, 2006

By 

Mike B (CANADA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: I, Koch: A Decidedly Unauthorized Biography of the Mayor of New York City, Edward I. Koch (Hardcover)

This is a somewhat biased and humourous account of Ed Koch. It was published before his 3 terms as mayor were completed; therefore the book is not a full appraisal of Koch's reign in office. At times this book comes off as a personal assault on Koch - is it necessary to describe Koch's eating habits? The fact that he is overweight is mentioned a few too many times. One wonders if the authors have been victimized by Koch's many diatribes against reporters. Are they following Koch's motto (page 285) - " the most important thing in life is getting even"? Do they really expect a mayor to take the subway to work instead of his personal limousine? Do they not realize that New Yorker's prefer a flamboyant talkative mayor instead of a wall-flower? What's so wrong about Ed Koch pointing out in China that Stalin had massacred millions of his own people - I am glad someone can tell the truth instead of dumb diplomacy?
Nevertheless the author's do gain points by describing Koch's chameleon shifts between liberalism and conservatism. Koch also overlooked problems of New York's many `minority' groups. Koch had the view that if he could make it - so could everyone else. Koch was divisive towards people of colour - a mayor should be for all people, not just some of the people. The authors detail Koch's rise to power and the inconsistencies of his career - what prompted Koch to run for governor when he had just been re-elected as mayor of New York? They point out that Koch did balance the budget but missed out on trying to resolve transit problems and the growing number of homeless people in New York.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A comprehensive look at a man just won't seem to go away, December 31, 1997

By A Customer

This review is from: I, Koch: A Decidedly Unauthorized Biography of the Mayor of New York City, Edward I. Koch (Hardcover)

The book is written by three veteran New York City reporters who were immersed in Koch's politics during his administration. Now, on the eve of his successor's inauguration for a second term, Koch is still in the news almost daily, making this book on his City Hall past -- what he does and doesn't want you to know -- a must for interested parties.