Plunkitt of Tammany Hall: A Series of Very Plain Talks on Very Practical Politics (Signet Classics) Reissue, Anniversary Edition

by William L. Riordan (Author), Peter Quinn (Introduction)

65 customer reviews

ISBN-13: 978-0451526205

ISBN-10: 9780451526205

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This classic work offers the unblushing, unvarnished wit and wisdom of one of the most fascinating figures ever to play the American political game and win. George Washington Plunkitt rose from impoverished beginnings to become ward boss of the Fifteenth Assembly District in New York, a key player in the powerhouse political team of Tammany Hall, and a millionaire.

In a series of utterly frank talks given at his headquarters at Graziano’s bootblack stand inside the New York County Court House, he revealed to a sharp-eared and sympathetic reporter named William L. Riordon the secrets of political success as practiced and perfected by Tammany Hall titans.

The result is not only a volume that reveals more about our political system than does a shelf load of civics textbooks, but also an irresistible portrait of a man who would feel happily at home playing ball with today’s lobbyists and kingmakers, trading votes for political and financial favors.

Doing for twentieth-century America what Machiavelli did for Renaissance Italy, and as entertaining as it is instructive, Plunkitt of Tammany Hall is essential reading for those who prefer twenty-twenty vision to rose-colored glasses in viewing how our government works and why.

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About the Author

Peter Quinn is the author of the novel Banished Children of Eve (winner of an American Book Award) and previously served as speechwriter for New York governors Hugh Carey and Mario Cuomo. A third-generation New Yorker whose granparents were born in Ireland, he is currently Editorial Director for Time Warner and lives in Hastings, New York.

Mass Market Paperback: 98 pages
Publisher: Signet; Reissue, Anniversary edition (November 1, 1995)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 9780451526205
ISBN-13: 978-0451526205
ASIN: 0451526201
Product Dimensions: 4.2 x 0.3 x 6.7 inches
Shipping Weight: 2.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
Average Customer Review: 65 customer reviews
Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #947,536 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #201 in Books > Politics & Social Sciences > Politics & Government > United States > Local
- #630 in Books > Politics & Social Sciences > Politics & Government > Specific Topics > Corruption & Misconduct
- #925 in Books > Politics & Social Sciences > Politics & Government > Elections & Political Process > Political Parties

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He was basically a mobster but he looked after his people--for a vote

November 29, 2016

Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase

There is a long tradition of American politicians using their offices to barter power and influence and to enrich themselves. I know what you’re thinking—I am about to launch into a tirade about Donald Trump. No, actually, he is by no means the most famous such politician. He isn’t the most famous such New York politician. For who can possibly beat Tammany Hall?

Tammany Hall is shorthand for the political machine that controlled New York democratic politics for 150 years. Ed Koch is the man most often credited with ending their mafia-like reign in 1960. You have probably heard of how Tammany Hall stole elections, intimidated political antagonists and shook down businessmen. You have probably read about the Boss Tweed’s antipathy to African-Americans, Hispanics and Jews. (Indeed, it is this antipathy that may at least partially explain Trump’s own discrimination against those same groups—he was a New York contractor after all.)
But Tammany Hall survived for as long as it did not because it hated people but because it provided for them. If you gave Tammany your vote, you could count on social services and a job at a time when the poor had no services and there was no unemployment insurance or a safety net. Tammany Hall provided that safety net in exchange for your vote.

And in a series of frank and disarmingly charming, informal lectures of sorts, Plunkitt revels in this corruption. Plunkitt may or may not be book-educated (in any event, he takes a dim view of people who are) but he does understand people very well. He understands that when you ostentatiously help someone when they’re in a poor way indeed they will remember you at the polls. That (he explains) is why it’s so important to chase fire engines and ambulances. And it’s important to be there when people celebrate life events: from weddings to funerals. That too will get you a vote.

And sure, Plunkitt made money off the deal and he provided jobs for his friends (why would he provide jobs for people who were political ingrates?). But as he saw it, there was nothing wrong with that. After all, his business was politics and, since people depended on him doing well in his business (and he did; he did quite well) and people rely on him doing well for their livelihoods, the people’s interests and his interests coincide. What is wrong with that, he repeatedly asks in his disarming and funny way?

The fact that Tammany Hall lasted for 150 years and that we have now elected Trump (who asks that exact same question often in exact same words Plunkitt uses) indicates that we have yet to come up with a good answer to that question.

Are you OK with political corruption if you get something out of it too?

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Kiwiwriter

The Definitive work on politics in America or any nation

October 26, 2013

Verified Purchase

Forget about political theory, right- or left-wing approaches, grandiose philosophies, demographics, and so on.

If you want to know how to get yourself elected to public office, maintain that office, get re-elected, and expand your power base, "Plunkitt of Tammany Hall" is THE book to read. Regardless of the century.

Mr. Plunkitt was a Tammany politician, State Senator, and holder of a number of critical posts in the Tammany organization during the late 19th century. He grew rich on deals, brokered issues, and was a walking example of an organization (machine) politician of the day. He gave a bunch of speeches from his rostrum, the New York County bootblack stand, on how Tammany and politicians should and did operate, and everything he says (except maybe about excise and "blockades on the elevated roads") is still true today.

He told his Boswell, a reporter named William Riordan, the following:

Study human nature and act accordingly.
Reach out to all elements in your district.
You cannot succeed simply through degrees and book-learning -- you have to understand people.
The most important commodity in politics is being able to deliver votes for the organization. The more you can command, the better.
Reciprocity is critical in patronage.
Do not violate the penal code -- that's how organization politicians get in trouble.
See your opportunities and take them.
Do not wear a dress suit when dealing with residents in the district.
Provide services for your constituents or outlets for their abilities.
Display patriotism at all times.
"Reformers are only morning glories."
Support the organization at all times.
Ensure that your supporters turn out to vote.

Everything that Senator Plunkitt said in 1886 is still absolutely true today.

If you want to understand politics in America, or make a career of it, read this book, cover to cover, front to back, keep it on your desk, refer to it, read it again, and do what it tells you.

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Jj McGIllicutty

Awesome book with an insider's prospective on machine politics

March 27, 2017

Format: Mass Market PaperbackVerified Purchase

Awesome book with an insider's prospective on machine politics. It reads like a series of how-to essays that let you know what it takes to be a political boss. Of course most of the stuff in the book is now illegal. As a bonus, it is very short and quick to read. I'd recommend it to anyone interested in history, politics, or local government.

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mousebelt

This Edition Of Plunkitt Is Strange

April 18, 2012

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

This is not to review the work "Plunkitt Of Tammany Hall" by William L. Riordon, but this particular edition.

First of all, this work has no editor or publisher listed, which is very strange. It has (very) numerous typos and stylistic errors (e.g. four instances where a line or two was continued unnecessarily on to a new page). But most disturbing of all (besides the fact that an "author/editor" - not Riordon - is listed above in the Amazon listing, but nowhere in the book) is that at the very end of the book, on the last page facing the inside cover, is a barcode, and the following: "Made In The USA; Lexington, KY; 13 April 2012." Mind you: I *ORDERED* this book late on 12 April 2012. You may imagine my total confusion at this point.

Did they receive my order and print this book the next day?

I was dubious at first, but I'm beginning to think they did!

For $5.99, next time I'll order ten! They should just READ the text before they print it, for goodness sake. Periods and commas are easy things to get right!

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P. Turner

He saw his opportunities and took them, and didn't lie about it

July 30, 2015

Format: Mass Market PaperbackVerified Purchase

A Tammeny Hall ward boss of a bygone era speaks with a bluntness that people crave in politicians today. He is open about his involvement in what he calls "honest graft," in contrast to the high-sounding but even more corrupt politicians of today. His words also have a subtle humor and cleverness that make this book entertaining as well as informative.

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Plunkitt of Tammany Hall: A Series of Very Plain Talks on Very Practical Politics (Signet Classics) Reissue, Anniversary Edition

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