Customer Reviews

The Life & Times of Jersey City Mayor Frank Hague: "I Am the Law" (The History Press)

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Leonard Vernon has masterfully balanced scholarly research with entertaining writing. Of particular interest is how he exposed how one biased source, when cited by other biographers, can create a misleading portrait of the subject. The character of a person cannot be fairly assessed outside the cultural and moral context of the time. Vernon made this clear. Frank Hague was not an angel or a devil. Vernon's biography brings meaning to the phrase "fair and balanced."

What's great about this book is that it highlights the complexities of Hague's legacy, complexities which echo that of the man himself. For example, I was shocked to learn that the famous "I am the law" quote, which is typically used to show Hague as a dictator, was actually uttered when the mayor was arguing to get delinquent kids back into school. Hague used his nearly unlimited powers to consolidate his political kingdom; he also used them to provide nearly-universal healthcare, fund special education, and streamline police and fire services, putting him decades ahead of his time. By reading this book you see both sides of Hague - the scheming politician and the benevolent despot. It's fascinating.

This book is one of the first that I have read that actually treats Hague fairly. As a matter of fact it is really the only thing I have ever read that acknowledges many of the good things that he did. Vernon makes a point of spelling out how men like Curly of Boston, who were at least if not more corrupt than Hague are now idolized in Boston, while Hague's reputation is that of a dirty politician. The other interesting item was the fact that Hague's well oiled machine was so good that he really never had to resort to voter fraud to win elections. A FANTASTIC READ FOR ANYONE FROM OR WHO HAS AN INTEREST IN NEW JERSEY HISTORY AND/OR POLITICS.