Since summer is upon us, or at least the June through August school holiday that I still associate with summer, I thought that instead of a traditional Monday morning commentary I would offer a summer reading list. The books I’ve listed below, in no particular order, are those that I would think anyone who is interested in practical politics would be interested in rubbing their eyes against.
PLUNKITT OF TAMMANY HALL by Riordon. The classic American book on politics, it doesn’t get much straighter than Tammany District Leader Plunkitt’s ‘series of very plain talks on very practical politics’. While many aspects of what is considered savory, or legal, have changed, much has stayed the same, including Plunkitt’s observation’s that politics are based on personal loyalties, or that many businessman or good government reformers tend to fail because they fail to learn the business and practice of politics.
TRIBES ON THE HILL by Weatherford. ‘Tribes’ looks at the ‘rituals and realities’ of the United States Congress, often in comparison to various tribal governments. Most of the commentary applies to any level of government. In the least, any new elected official or political aide should read the chapters ‘Gathering a Clan’ and ‘Extending a Clan’.
BOSS by Royko. This book, amusing and readable, tells the story of the late Richard Daley, party leader and Mayor of Chicago. Whether Daley and his machine represent the highest form of city government or the lowest is up to the reader to decide, but either way the sheer organization has to be respected. After all – does anyone think the local branch DMV wouldn’t be more responsive if the workers were appointed rather than protected bureaucrats?
GANG OF FIVE by
TIGERS OF TAMMANY by Connable & Silberfarb. The various sins of William Tweed (he and his pals embezzled some $200 million dollars in the 1860’s and 70’s. That’s $200 million in 1860’s dollars, not converted) are well known, but what folks pay less attention to today is that Tammany Hall was one of the longest lived and most successful political organizations in United States history. It existed from 1756 to, give or take, 1960. Its leaders were men like Martin Van Buren (later President Van Buren), John Kelly (who basically invented the precinct program), and Charles Murphy (one of the most capable leaders in the history of political parties). Worth reading for historical value alone.
NOFZIGER by Nofziger and BARE KNUCKLES AND BACK ROOMS by Rollins.
THE JOHNSON BOOKS by Caro. Reading about President Johnson’s hardscrabble youth in the hills of Texas makes one appreciate his singular drive for personal power, and the sheer discipline and force of will that got him there. He’s actually sort of an anti-hero in the books, like Shakespeare’s Richard III (which should probably also be on the list), self-aware that his relationships are wholly made up and manipulated for political gain. And he is an absolute master of understanding what buttons to push, what levers to pull, to mold an organization to his will. Would I have liked to work for him? Probably not. And even after having read the books a couple times I don’t know the answer: was it all about him and the enjoyment of the use of power or , to him, was it about the various ‘welfare’ programs he enacted in attempt to move large segments of the nation into the economic and social mainstream.
A RAGE FOR JUSTICE by Jacobs. While I can’t say I agree with the politics of Phil Burton, I found the glimpse into the arcane politics of San Francisco – and the death of the old Irish political machine there and the rise of a new one built on diverse coalitions – engrossing. And it’s got to be said: if what the book writes is true Phil Burton was one of the most diligent and well prepared legislators I’ve dealt with or heard of, and if he took the time to learn the details and we didn’t then he deserved to best us. The scenes with former Republican Assembly Leader Bob Naylor are hilarious. Bob is truly a patient man.
THE PENDERGAST MACHINE by Dorsett. There are few written, neutral accounts of the boss-driven form of government that dominated this nation for a hundred years. That’s pretty strange. Anyway, this is the best of what I could find. A couple others that are not as good are: Thomas Taggart by Fadley, Pat McCarran by Edwards, and Tom’s Town by Reddig.
THE SHAME OF THE CITIES by Steffens and THE JUNGLE by Sinclair. Not to put too fine a point of it, but party government had some issues. There is no real need to read the whole of ‘The Shame’ – just pick one chapter at random and you’ll get the flavor of the whole without the tedium. And if you read The Jungle you’ll never look at those cute little cans of deviled ham the same again.
WILLIE BROWN by
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