Describe Books Concering The Rascal King: The Life And Times Of James Michael Curley (1874-1958)
| Original Title: | The Rascal King: The Life and Times of James Michael Curley (1874-1958) |
| ISBN: | 0306810026 (ISBN13: 9780306810022) |
| Edition Language: | English |
| Characters: | James Michael Curley |
| Literary Awards: | Laurence L. & Thomas Winship/PEN New England Award (1993), American Book Award (1993), National Book Critics Circle Award Nominee for Biography/Autobiography (1992) |
Jack Beatty
Paperback | Pages: 620 pages Rating: 4.11 | 138 Users | 11 Reviews
Mention Containing Books The Rascal King: The Life And Times Of James Michael Curley (1874-1958)
| Title | : | The Rascal King: The Life And Times Of James Michael Curley (1874-1958) |
| Author | : | Jack Beatty |
| Book Format | : | Paperback |
| Book Edition | : | Anniversary Edition |
| Pages | : | Pages: 620 pages |
| Published | : | August 24th 2000 by Da Capo Press (first published August 21st 1992) |
| Categories | : | Biography. History. Politics. North American Hi.... American History. Nonfiction |
Chronicle In Pursuance Of Books The Rascal King: The Life And Times Of James Michael Curley (1874-1958)
"A truly brilliant biography."--John Kenneth Galbraith, Chicago TribuneTwice jailed while serving in office yet a champion of the people, builder of schools yet a shameless grafter, James Michael Curley was the stuff of legend long before his life became fiction in Edwin O'Connor's classic novel The Last Hurrah. As mayor of Boston, as a United States congressman, as governor of Massachusetts, Curley rose from the slums of South Boston in a career extending from the Progressive Era of Teddy Roosevelt to the ascendancy of the Kennedy sons. While Curley lived, he represented both the triumph of Irish Americans and the birth of divisive politics of ethnic and racial polarization; when he died, over one million mourners turned out to pay their respects in the largest wake Boston had ever seen.
Nominated for a National Book Critics Circle Award in Biography, Beatty's spellbinding story of "the Kingfish of Massachusetts" is also an epic of his city, its immigrant people, and its turbulent times. It is simply biography at its best.
"Beatty's book is a delight--rich, witty, flowing, and full of insight about the nature of political corruption."--Constance Casey, Los Angeles Times
"A panoramic, exquisitely incisive biography that illuminates the triumphs, debacles, and personal sorrows of the irrepressible man known as Boston's 'Mayor of the Poor.'"--Robert Wilson, USA Today
Rating Containing Books The Rascal King: The Life And Times Of James Michael Curley (1874-1958)
Ratings: 4.11 From 138 Users | 11 ReviewsWrite Up Containing Books The Rascal King: The Life And Times Of James Michael Curley (1874-1958)
James Michael Curley, what else needs to be said? Rascal King is a well written, comprehensive, entertaining read. The Purple Shamrock is another great book on Curley. Not the most ethical politician, but a true character.Finally finished this VERY long book! For some reason got stuck around the 1st World War. There is a lot of great material in this book, but I surely could have used a timeline and a family tree (both biological and political). When an octogenarian spends 60 of his years in politics, the story can really get convoluted! I did find the places where the author decided to draw parallels between Curley's politics/philosophy and modern politicians a little forced, and dated (the book was published in
This book is a classic political biography about James Michael Curley of Boston, the corrupt and lively mayor, governor and congressman who defined an era in Irish Massachusetts politics. I'd rank it No. 2 of books about local pols -- just behind "The Prince of Providence," on Rhode Island's equally colorful Buddy Cianci.
A well-researched and -written look at the career of the legendary Boston mayor. It drives home the point that, back in the day, politicians were just as corrupt as they are now, but they were a lot more fun.
I've been reading a lot of presidential biographies and this book made me want to read more about the lesser known political figures of america.
This is a beautiful book. Beatty writes about a lovable rogue, but a rogue still, with balancing degrees of probity, admiration, disdain, outrage, reasoned analysis, and stunned humor, sketching a rich and fairly comprehensive picture of the great colonial city Boston from the postbellum era to the Kennedy administration in the bargain. A master longform writer, there are touches of real brilliance in the text that elevate this work from strong political biography to one in the class with Caro,
A comprehensive portrait of one of the most controversial and most storied mayors of Boston (and later governor of MA), whose monumental self-interest spurred many of the reforms that made the city the way it is today. Beatty does a wonderful job separating fact from fiction while still allowing the colorful Curley myths time to demonstrate what it is that caused them to be told and passed along. In addition to the deft portrayal of the complexity of Curley and the issues of his times, this book
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