Customer Reviews

Mr. Chairman: Power in Dan Rostenkowski's America

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Author Jim Merriner covered politics for the Chicago Sun-Times, and he brings that insight -- and razor-sharp writing -- to this book. There are two biographies of Rostenkowski out right now, and for some reason, reviewers and bookstores have given more prominance to the other book. But Merriner's book is the better of the two. It is written by a pro who knows politics, knows Chicago and, despite his years as a newspaperman, has an aversion to cliches. Rostenkowski's story is an engrossing one, and Merriner does it justice.

This book is a great read for those interested in how Congress operated from the 60s until the early 90s, and how it changed over that time. It is also a good primer on Chicago politics, particularly the years between the two Mayor Daleys.

Rostenkowski was a product of the fabled Chicago Democratic machine. He used the lessons he learned in machine politics to work his way into intimacy with the House leadership and then to the chairmanship of Ways and Means. In the 1980s, Rostenkowski had a great impact on US tax policy working with President Reagan to enact a series of tax reforms. These included several tax increases that most conservatives and Republicans who venerate Reagan have forgotten.

The book spends a good deal of time on Rostenkowski's scandals. The big ones that took him down, as well as smaller ones that just tripped him up a bit. As for what finally did Rostenkowski in, his actions were certainly unethical and illegal in the early 90s. But they were the regular order of business when he arrived in Congress. Most of the other old bulls were gone by that time and never had to adjust to the new, more ethical way of operating.

The book has a few flaws. The author tends to use unnecessarily large words that left me grabbing for the dictionary instead of reading on. The author also referred to Rostenkowski as a "Korean veteran," which gives the misimpression that he served in the Korean War. As the book explains, Rostenkowski served in the Army in Korea but it was before the war.

The book is a good read on Congressional history and power politics.

This book is very well written. Easy to read for even those of us who may not be "politicaly oriented". Gave me a great insight and understanding of American politics. Definitely would recomend it! Covers a time span from early Chicago to present day.