*Starred Review* Famous for his profanity, energy, and astute sense of political opportunity, Emanuel as mayor of Chicago may well be the face of the new Democrat, argues journalist Lydersen. If so, the new Democrat is breaking strong alliances with the unions in favor of wealthy business interests. In his career as a political operative, adviser to the Clinton and Obama administrations, and congressman, Emanuel forged a broader political perspective on issues from the financial crisis to immigration to welfare reform. His investment banking career gave him financial security and a perspective and relationships at odds with those of more traditional Democratic mayors. As mayor, he has bumped heads with the teachers’ and city workers’ unions, famously provoking the anger of the Occupy Movement during Chicago’s hosting of the NATO summit and earning the tag Mayor 1%. Lydersen chronicles the tempestuous Emanuel administration, focused on privatization of the public sector and facing fierce push-back from citizens who see themselves as representing the 99 percent. Drawing on interviews with community activists and vivid scenes of confrontation with the mayor, Lydersen also offers a portrait of resistance to privatization. This is a fascinating look at a fascinating political figure and the broader issues of a changing Democratic Party. --Vanessa Bush
Review
"I urge everyone to read Lydersen's book. Over the last few months, many Chicagoans have told me they didn't realize who they were voting for when they cast a ballot for Emanuel. Thanks to Lydersen, they'll have no excuse in 2015."
Ben Joravsky, Chicago Reader
"This book provides deep insight into the political career of Rahm Emanuel. Painstakingly researched, Mayor 1% provides the reader with the ability to understand the hard line, neoliberal mindset that blinds the man to the harsh realities of entrenched poverty and disenfranchisement. The relentless attacks on Chicago's working class, from the janitors at O'Hare to the librarians, mental health workers and members of the Chicago Teachers Union have shown the true nature of a man who will have plenty of money from the billionaires to run his re-election campaign, but none of the love of the people who will not pull the lever for him. Kari Lydersen ends on a hopeful note. That Mayor 1%'s brutal reign can actually lead to a better Chicago as people get up, stand up and fight the 'power.'"
Karen Lewis, President, Chicago Teachers Union
"While banks and corporations continue to enjoy record-breaking profits, working families across Chicago continue to face school closings, foreclosures, and devastating privatization. Lydersen's book lifts up the extraordinary power of everyday people to stand up, fight back, dream big, and join together to make transformative change. Rarely does a journalist do such justice to the in the trenches organizing work that is vital to undermining oppressive city policies and abusive corporate influences."
Amisha Patel, Executive Director, Grassroots Collaborative
Lydersen’s book demonstrates the type of thorough investigative journalism we need in Chicago to keep all politicians and public servants accountable. It exposes the public policy that the City of Chicago and its constituents didn’t expect from a Democratic Mayor of the City that Works. Lydersen’s book shows the real Rahm Emanuel, leading the race to the bottom by killing off good middle class jobs instead of upholding job standards that help build a strong workforce and the robust economy our city desperately needs.”
Tom Balanoff, President, SEIU Local 1 and SEIU Illinois State Council
In Mayor 1% Kari Lydersen surveys the expansive and deeply contested first term record of Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel. Her work touches every flashpoint of Emanuel’s kinetic drive to govern the city as he sees fit. Along the way, Lydersen admirably and poignantly gives voice to the activist community that has become the mayor’s fiercest critic, while calling out his staunchest business allies.”
Robert Bruno, University of Illinois at Chicago
"If you want to understand how a Democrat became so reviled among the middle and working class citizens in modern day Chicago, please read this book. This is the story of organized money vs. organized people in the Second City, and the impact of what happens here ripples across the nation in our public schools, in our healthcare centers, and in our streets. It might be that Obama brought the Windy City to the Potomac, but Emanuel attempts the reverse in Chicago, and as Lydersen notes in great detail, 'Rahm' might be a master at fundraising and manipulating the image of his public office, but confrontations are unavoidable when a city manager doesn't respect his electorate."
Adam P. Heenan, Chicago Public Schools Civics Teacher
"I urge everyone to read Lydersen's book. Over the last few months, many Chicagoans have told me they didn't realize who they were voting for when they cast a ballot for Emanuel. Thanks to Lydersen, they'll have no excuse in 2015."
―Ben Joravsky, Chicago Reader
"This book provides deep insight into the political career of Rahm Emanuel. Painstakingly researched, Mayor 1% provides the reader with the ability to understand the hard line, neoliberal mindset that blinds the man to the harsh realities of entrenched poverty and disenfranchisement. The relentless attacks on Chicago's working class, from the janitors at O'Hare to the librarians, mental health workers and members of the Chicago Teachers Union have shown the true nature of a man who will have plenty of money from the billionaires to run his re-election campaign, but none of the love of the people who will not pull the lever for him. Kari Lydersen ends on a hopeful note. That Mayor 1%'s brutal reign can actually lead to a better Chicago as people get up, stand up and fight the 'power.'"
―Karen Lewis, President, Chicago Teachers Union
"While banks and corporations continue to enjoy record-breaking profits, working families across Chicago continue to face school closings, foreclosures, and devastating privatization. Lydersen's book lifts up the extraordinary power of everyday people to stand up, fight back, dream big, and join together to make transformative change. Rarely does a journalist do such justice to the in the trenches organizing work that is vital to undermining oppressive city policies and abusive corporate influences."
―Amisha Patel, Executive Director, Grassroots Collaborative
“Lydersen’s book demonstrates the type of thorough investigative journalism we need in Chicago to keep all politicians and public servants accountable. It exposes the public policy that the City of Chicago and its constituents didn’t expect from a Democratic Mayor of the City that Works. Lydersen’s book shows the real Rahm Emanuel, leading the race to the bottom by killing off good middle class jobs instead of upholding job standards that help build a strong workforce and the robust economy our city desperately needs.”
―Tom Balanoff, President, SEIU Local 1 and SEIU Illinois State Council
“In Mayor 1% Kari Lydersen surveys the expansive and deeply contested first term record of Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel. Her work touches every flashpoint of Emanuel’s kinetic drive to govern the city as he sees fit. Along the way, Lydersen admirably and poignantly gives voice to the activist community that has become the mayor’s fiercest critic, while calling out his staunchest business allies.”
―Robert Bruno, University of Illinois at Chicago
"If you want to understand how a Democrat became so reviled among the middle and working class citizens in modern day Chicago, please read this book. This is the story of organized money vs. organized people in the Second City, and the impact of what happens here ripples across the nation in our public schools, in our healthcare centers, and in our streets. It might be that Obama brought the Windy City to the Potomac, but Emanuel attempts the reverse in Chicago, and as Lydersen notes in great detail, 'Rahm' might be a master at fundraising and manipulating the image of his public office, but confrontations are unavoidable when a city manager doesn't respect his electorate."
―Adam P. Heenan, Chicago Public Schools Civics Teacher
About the Author
Kari Lydersen is a Chicago-based journalist, author and journalism instructor who has written for The Washington Post, The New York Times, The Progressive, In These Times and other publications. She is the author of four books, including The Revolt on Goose Island: The Chicago Factory Takeover and What it Says About the Economic Crisis. She specializes in coverage of labor, energy and the environment. She has taught at Columbia College Chicago and Northwestern University and also works with youth from low-income communities through the program We the People Media. karilydersen dot com.
