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

"In our current dismal passage of American politics, it’s exhilarating to read about a politician who exemplified all the qualities―courage, honesty, vision, energy, disdain for hypocrisy, concern for the downtrodden―that we were taught to revere....Remarkable." ― Wall Street Journal 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 readable book, as entertaining as the man himself, Terry Golway captures the enduring appeal of one of America’s greatest leaders. A hugely entertaining celebration of one of Americas greatest politiciansa source of inspiration for our equally challenging times... Fiorello LaGuardia was one of the twentieth centurys most colorful politicianson the New York and national stage. He was also quintessentially 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. Its 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 LaGuardias extraordinary career through four essential 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 readable book, as entertaining as the man himself, Terry Golway captures the enduring appeal of one of Americas greatest leaders. Title Page Copyright Notice Introduction Part One: Patriot 1. New Americans 2. Army Brat 3. The Flying Congressman 4. In Defense of Democracy 5. At War, Again Part Two: Dissenter 1. The Anti-Politician Politician 2. The Immigrant’s Friend 3. Ideas Before Party 4. Roaring Against the Twenties 5. He Doth Protest Part Three: Leader 1. Before He Ran City Hall 2. Now We Have a Mayor 3. A Day in the Life of a Mayor: His First 4. Taking Command 5. Model Homes 6. The City Takes Flight 7. Working for Justice 8. Comic Relief Part Four: Statesman 1. Foiling Henry Ford 2. Mediating Civil Rights 3. The Refugees’ Advocate Epilogue: Final Days Acknowledgments Notes Index Also by Terry Golway About the Author Newsletter Sign-up Copyright