I Never Did Like Politics, Terry Golway
I Never Did Like Politics, Terry Golway
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I Never Did Like Politics
How Fiorello La Guardia Became America's Mayor, and Why He Still Matters

Author: Terry Golway

Narrator: Jon Vertullo

Unabridged: 9 hr

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Publisher: Tantor Media

Published: 02/20/2024


Synopsis

Fiorello LaGuardia was one of the twentieth century's most colorful politicians—on the New York and national stage. He was also quintessentially American: the son of Italian immigrants, who rose in society through sheer will and chutzpah. Almost one hundred years later, America is once again grappling with issues that would have been familiar to the Little Flower, as he was affectionately known. It's time to bring back LaGuardia, argues historian and journalist Terry Golway, to remind us all what an effective municipal officer (as he preferred to call himself) can achieve . . .

Golway examines LaGuardia's extraordinary career through four essential qualities: As a patriot, a dissenter, a leader, and a statesman. He needed them all when he stood against the nativism, religious and racial bigotry, and reactionary economic policies of the 1920s, and again when he faced the realities of Depression-era New York and the rise of fascism at home and abroad in the 1930s. Just before World War II, the Roosevelt administration formally apologized to the Nazis when LaGuardia referred to Hitler as a "brown-shirted fanatic."

There was nobody quite like Fiorello LaGuardia. In this immensely listenable book, as entertaining as the man himself, Terry Golway captures the enduring appeal of one of America's greatest leaders.

About Terry Golway

Terry Golway was a senior editor at Politico and the author of several works of history, including Frank and Al and Machine Made. He has been a columnist and city editor at the New York Observer, a member of the editorial board of the New York Times, and a columnist for the Irish Echo. He holds a PhD in United States history from Rutgers University and has taught at the New School, New York University, and the College of Staten Island.


Reviews

Goodreads review by Nancy on November 27, 2023

Sure, I knew the name. La Guardia. It was an airport. Ok, I recall hearing about the Little Flower here and there. Oh, and he was connected to New York City. So I was in for a big surprise reading this biography. It was such a fun, upbeat read, and I was impressed by this rumpled man’s character and......more

Goodreads review by Mima. on January 17, 2024

I’m reading a book about a politician from decades ago, so why am I noticing jabs at Trump slipping in? I’m not reading the book for the writers current political opinions, I’m reading it to learn about La Guardia.......more

Goodreads review by Brendan on July 27, 2024

An excellent biography of Fiorello LaGuardia. Terry Golway is a great, engaging and funny writer. The book is not linear or chronological, but tells you about his main accomplishments. It is also concise for readers that want to know about perhaps New York’s best mayor but don’t want a massive biogr......more

Goodreads review by Felicia Roff Tunnah on May 08, 2024

Seems like it could have been better researched. Also I’m sure there was a lot more to be said about Robert Moses and La Guardia’s relationship with him professionally and personally. Finally, could have done without the author’s commentary on politics today. I feel like I need to read a better biog......more

Goodreads review by Chris on April 13, 2024

Fiorello La Guardia is a competent role model for our age, in the terms of being a real "public servant." He focused on people of lesser means, not an ideologue, and often showed great skepticism for the American capitalist project. I often wonder why he ran as a Republican because many of his cause......more