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Fire on the Prairie: Chicago's Harold Washington and the Politics of Race
Explains how Harold Washington and his associates overcame the Daley political machine and built an administration that crossed racial lines and transformed Chicago politics
442 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1992
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
January 17, 2014
Along with American Pharoah, this is required reading for anyone who seeks to understand modern Chicago politics. Rivlin is a former Chicago Reader reporter and he brings that pedigree to bear here with a critic's view of the daily newspapers' reporting and a columnist's sense of detail. Gives a rounded view of all the players, including Washington, who is treated not as a savior but as a politician who understood the rules of the game and how to work within them and without them. In doing so, he brought hope to a population who had been ignored for decades and refused to turn back.
March 24, 2023
Chronicles the election and administration of Harold Washington, Chicago's first black mayor in the face of virulent racism, an openly obstructionist city council, and a press corps seemingly devoid of any level of integrity. Washington served as mayor from 1983-1987, when he won reelection but died suddenly in the early days of his second term. Rivlin chronicles in painstaking detail the horrible treatment Washington faced from nearly all sides throughout his campaign and tenure as mayor, yet despite all obstacles, presents Washington as perhaps the only honest mayor Chicago ever had. Washington's election was the first consequential defeat of the Chicago political machine, and had he not died so suddenly, it might have been defeated for good. Instead, the book ends with the harried race to name Washington's successor: the meek Eugene Sawyer who machine insiders viewed as little more than a rubber stamp to the politics Washington had represented a break from. The final aldermanic tally to elect Sawyer was 29 votes; the same number of votes, although the names had changed, that had been a symbol of the anti-Washington faction during his mayoralty.
I'm not going to weigh this review down by trying to connect the political situation in Chicago in 1983 to 2023, but there are striking symmetries. The unpopular incumbent loses the primary (even if it's not a primary in name anymore) and the remaining candidates represent two radically different views for the city's future. We'll see which way things go, but I personally will always be rooting for the Washingtons of the world over the Eptons, Byrnes, or Vrodolyaks.
I'm not going to weigh this review down by trying to connect the political situation in Chicago in 1983 to 2023, but there are striking symmetries. The unpopular incumbent loses the primary (even if it's not a primary in name anymore) and the remaining candidates represent two radically different views for the city's future. We'll see which way things go, but I personally will always be rooting for the Washingtons of the world over the Eptons, Byrnes, or Vrodolyaks.
October 2, 2022
Wow. What a legacy. There is no better way to understand Chicago politics than to learn about Harold Washington. What an incredible story.
And what an incredible treatment of this story. Broad enough to capture many considerations, contemporary enough to call a spade a spade, this biography offers a full picture of Washington and the Chicago he rose through. Wonderful side chapters on his contemporaries. I could use more on him as a kid and would love to hear about how what happens next fits into his legacy / think this is a bit too campaign focused, but reaalllllly good.
And what an incredible treatment of this story. Broad enough to capture many considerations, contemporary enough to call a spade a spade, this biography offers a full picture of Washington and the Chicago he rose through. Wonderful side chapters on his contemporaries. I could use more on him as a kid and would love to hear about how what happens next fits into his legacy / think this is a bit too campaign focused, but reaalllllly good.
March 12, 2022
I am a Chicagoan who lived through these times. This book is incredibly even handed. There is no cheerleading for Harold. His opposition is portrayed as the obstructionists they were.
I just love how the so called "Lakefront" liberals were described as utterly useless to anybody.
Harold Washington was a top notch politician, but a poor manager once elected Mayor.
I just love how the so called "Lakefront" liberals were described as utterly useless to anybody.
Harold Washington was a top notch politician, but a poor manager once elected Mayor.
June 11, 2023
Highly recommend. Good book for my life in 2023
February 8, 2020
Mr. Rivlin did a wonderful job capturing the passion that swept the sweets among the Black community in the 80's. I wore the buttons and went to the rallies. No more than 6 years old all I can remember is that something special was happening in our communities. What I did not understand was the vitriol outside our communities. I heard of the Council wars, but for all a 6 year old knew, it was video game!
Recently, I have been engrossed with Chicago political history... How the hell did we get here. This, along with Rokyo's Boss is perhaps the most engrossing read on this question that I have encountered. I have some sense of who Harold was after reading this. I have some sense of how deeply entrenched the machine was and the wreckage that it has left. I have a better sense of the 29 and how their grip and approach has shaped the city. The question for me now is...what can I do?
I have only one complaint about the work and that is the end. After a passionate and fiery reading, it ends suddenly, anti-climatically with no real sense of why. But so too did Harold.
Recently, I have been engrossed with Chicago political history... How the hell did we get here. This, along with Rokyo's Boss is perhaps the most engrossing read on this question that I have encountered. I have some sense of who Harold was after reading this. I have some sense of how deeply entrenched the machine was and the wreckage that it has left. I have a better sense of the 29 and how their grip and approach has shaped the city. The question for me now is...what can I do?
I have only one complaint about the work and that is the end. After a passionate and fiery reading, it ends suddenly, anti-climatically with no real sense of why. But so too did Harold.
January 16, 2026
This is not an 'if you read one book' book about Chicago, Chicago politics, or the Harold Washington era, but it is stuffed with good material.
The '84 Chicago mayoral race and "Council Wars" era is one of the points of history that I have read the most about. This is a worthy inclusion to the list.
The book has both a narrow and wide focus. Narrow to the extent that it gets pretty deep into the working of the Washington political operation, but wide in the extent that it plays out from the election to the appointment of his successor following his death in office. In other paradoxes, this is a rare instance where the lack of a strong thesis makes it a better book.
The picture here is Washington as rationally mercurial. Having good intentions but also wise to realpolitik, he tries different things in adaptation to what is going on in Chicago, where he is continually dealing with the expectations of whomever he just let down. The whole thing feels both relevant to the current day and completely historical.
It is, however, notable how nakedly racist the opposition was. I do not even mean his election contenders, where that gets maybe too much press, but the fights that he had during his tenure.
There is one irritating quirk about the writing, which is that sometimes the author will cite to a person who said something, and sometimes the author will only reference the type of person who said something. It does not seem to be a source thing, so I do not know why it is, and I found myself spending a lot of time trying to decode that.
The '84 Chicago mayoral race and "Council Wars" era is one of the points of history that I have read the most about. This is a worthy inclusion to the list.
The book has both a narrow and wide focus. Narrow to the extent that it gets pretty deep into the working of the Washington political operation, but wide in the extent that it plays out from the election to the appointment of his successor following his death in office. In other paradoxes, this is a rare instance where the lack of a strong thesis makes it a better book.
The picture here is Washington as rationally mercurial. Having good intentions but also wise to realpolitik, he tries different things in adaptation to what is going on in Chicago, where he is continually dealing with the expectations of whomever he just let down. The whole thing feels both relevant to the current day and completely historical.
It is, however, notable how nakedly racist the opposition was. I do not even mean his election contenders, where that gets maybe too much press, but the fights that he had during his tenure.
There is one irritating quirk about the writing, which is that sometimes the author will cite to a person who said something, and sometimes the author will only reference the type of person who said something. It does not seem to be a source thing, so I do not know why it is, and I found myself spending a lot of time trying to decode that.
April 18, 2023
Though some of the language is outdated, this book is a really fascinating account of a truly skilled politician. I started out wanting to understand more about Washington himself and finished having also gotten a better grasp of Chicago politics and some of its most famous names, the increasingly difficult task of American city governance post- Reagan's budget slashing, etc etc.
Rivlin does a nice job characterizing Washington, as well as with his asides profiling characters from Vrydolyak and his cronies to journalist Leanita McClain that really brought to life the intense climate of racism Washington was burdened with. The book is long but I felt like these profiles really kept it interesting and even injected some humor into the story as Rivlin side-eyed some of the city's more ridiculous political personalities.
I was inspired read Fire on the Prairie recently by its being utilized in comparisons between Washington's campaign and Johnson's - while they seem to be quite different men in their demeanors and political backgrounds, as I read I definitely was struck with how much of the racialized language and fearmongering lobbed against Washington is still being used today against Johnson, barely even updated in some cases.
Rivlin does a nice job characterizing Washington, as well as with his asides profiling characters from Vrydolyak and his cronies to journalist Leanita McClain that really brought to life the intense climate of racism Washington was burdened with. The book is long but I felt like these profiles really kept it interesting and even injected some humor into the story as Rivlin side-eyed some of the city's more ridiculous political personalities.
I was inspired read Fire on the Prairie recently by its being utilized in comparisons between Washington's campaign and Johnson's - while they seem to be quite different men in their demeanors and political backgrounds, as I read I definitely was struck with how much of the racialized language and fearmongering lobbed against Washington is still being used today against Johnson, barely even updated in some cases.
December 30, 2022
People have told me this book, alongside American Pharoah, are the best books about Chicago politics ever written. So I figured I'd check it out, even though I felt I was quite familiar with the story of Mayor Harold Washington.
Those folks were right about this book, it is an absolute tour de force. Gary Rivlin does an excellent job relaying the dynamics and characters that made up the famous rise and tumultuous mayorship of Harold. There were so many little details I was unaware of, and this book really fleshed it out and made me feel like I was living it right there with these folks. My only complaint is this book ends very suddenly, without a proper conclusion (very similar to what happened to Harold and his movement).
As we prepare for another mayoral election exactly 40 years after Harold's momentous victory, this will be on my mind as the progressive movement here continues the work that we began under Harold's tenure. Rest in power, Mayor Washington.
Those folks were right about this book, it is an absolute tour de force. Gary Rivlin does an excellent job relaying the dynamics and characters that made up the famous rise and tumultuous mayorship of Harold. There were so many little details I was unaware of, and this book really fleshed it out and made me feel like I was living it right there with these folks. My only complaint is this book ends very suddenly, without a proper conclusion (very similar to what happened to Harold and his movement).
As we prepare for another mayoral election exactly 40 years after Harold's momentous victory, this will be on my mind as the progressive movement here continues the work that we began under Harold's tenure. Rest in power, Mayor Washington.
January 20, 2025
There was so much to appreciate in this book’s political analysis and narrative building. Fascinating discussions of, intra-black nationalist vs reformer debates, white liberal vs black liberal debates, different flavors of racism in Chicago, and the general triumphs and tribulations of Washington’s dream of building a multiracial coalition.
But where was the policy analysis? I was surprised by how little Rivlin discussed city services and operations in this period. Schools, transit, and economic development, for example, were all but ignored. Even CHA was excluded from most of the book, until it got 10 pages towards the very end of the book.
At the same time the book under-focused on policy, it seemed to overfocus on the politics at times. Did we need so many pages of Vrdolyak and Washington hitting each other over the head with sledgehammers while the media sensationalizes it all? Decades later, these are hardly the parts of Washington’s mayoralty that matter most.
So as strong as some components of the book were - the writing was excellent too - the book’s heavy prioritization of politics over policy is one that reduces the book’s gravitas and staying power as I read it 40 years after the Washington era.
But where was the policy analysis? I was surprised by how little Rivlin discussed city services and operations in this period. Schools, transit, and economic development, for example, were all but ignored. Even CHA was excluded from most of the book, until it got 10 pages towards the very end of the book.
At the same time the book under-focused on policy, it seemed to overfocus on the politics at times. Did we need so many pages of Vrdolyak and Washington hitting each other over the head with sledgehammers while the media sensationalizes it all? Decades later, these are hardly the parts of Washington’s mayoralty that matter most.
So as strong as some components of the book were - the writing was excellent too - the book’s heavy prioritization of politics over policy is one that reduces the book’s gravitas and staying power as I read it 40 years after the Washington era.
September 1, 2023
It kinda cracks me up that Rivlin’s updated edition of this is 25% shorter. I’m not sure what he took out, but I can definitely see why - the original version, which I read, goes on some big ol tangents. (For example, the chapter about Leanita McClain, although interesting and heartbreaking, reads as pretty strange considering it’s posthumous. She deserves the chance to speak for herself in this context, imo.) still, it’s fascinating and disheartening to see so much of the rhetoric Washington faced resurfaced about Brandon Johnson. I do think Johnson is dealing with a less intransigent council - but, hell, Ed Burke was still an alderman until this year! Essential reading for any Chicagoan.
August 7, 2025
A very riveting read about Washington, yes, but also 1980s Chicago. Amazing the number of these dudes who are still in power (or their sons are) 40 years later.
There's a lot that doesn't really apply anymore: lots of the book is about journalism and spin, which is very different nowadays. Hell, Chicago is very different nowadays. But the stories of coalition politics were fascinating, and really do still seem to ring true. Great stuff.
There's a lot that doesn't really apply anymore: lots of the book is about journalism and spin, which is very different nowadays. Hell, Chicago is very different nowadays. But the stories of coalition politics were fascinating, and really do still seem to ring true. Great stuff.
July 1, 2025
A fascinating book about the complexities of Chicago politics and the nature of race. I learned about this book from a mod for the Campaign Trail that went over Harold Washington's 1983 campaign, and this book exceeded my expectations. I found especially interesting the way White people in the book constantly were fearful of Washington, telling of how deeply racial resentment can manifest.
January 20, 2019
I enjoyed this book and appreciated the thoroughness of it. At times there was such a density of information that it almost became dry and it did end up taking me awhile to finish, but definitely not for lack of interest. A great book for anyone interested in Chicago history and politics.
September 16, 2020
Great book. It is a great history not only on Harold Washington and Chicago politics but also gives a pretty good overview of the Racial Structures in place in chicago in the late 70s and 80s. Many of those foundations chicago has still not dealt with today.
July 17, 2025
Too granular for my tastes; lacked temporal distance from the time period under consideration and therefore lacked analytical depth. My overall impression of Harold Washington was of someone who was gifted politically but lacked vision and discipline.
November 25, 2022
Was a fascinating look at that period of time with a lot of familiar faces, but I wanted more on the actual governing process than what the book provided.
March 31, 2023
incredibly detailed look at chicago politics. a bunch of people in here that are still relevant today, or at least the alliances are in the same general shape. what a fascinating city
November 9, 2024
my jaw dropped at the twist at the end (that harold was on spironolactone)
November 23, 2007
As a white American, it is easy to think about the civil rights movement as something that happened back in the 60's and that most of our racial problems were put to rest back then. If anyone begins to think in that way, I recommend that they read Gary Rivlin's book. This is the story of Chicago, one of the most segregated cities in the country, and how its first African-American mayor, Harold Washington, beat the vaunted Chicago political machine against great odds.
Harold got his start with the machine, but he was not of the machine. His independence won him many allies in the black community, but scared whites, even those professing to be open-minded liberals. In the general election many white democrats abandoned their party's candidate and voted for the Republican (Harold received 8% of the white vote in his initial victory), people showed their dislike of Harold by wearing buttons with a watermelon with an x through it. He was turned away from a rally at a catholic church when the 200 people gathered in this white neighborhood cursed at him. Someone had written the words "Die N_____" across the wall of the church. The Republican candidate's slogan read "Before It's Too Late".
Incidents like this were tragically commonplace. Perhaps this could have been rationalized had it happened in the 1950's, but the year was 1983. It amazes me that Harold was able, largely, to keep himself to the standards of fairness and reform that he set out to accomplish. Formerly, mayors used patronage to give jobs to their cronies as a manner of establishing their clout and controlling politics in the city, Harold refused to do so, often to the consternation of those that elected him.
Gary Rivlin does a fine job with the incredibly moving subject matter he is working with. He alternates between the telling anecdote and analysis of the media coverage received by the Washington administration, interspersed with the history. He criticizes and praises, interviewing many of the subjects of the story to get a fuller portrait of the people involved.
Harold got his start with the machine, but he was not of the machine. His independence won him many allies in the black community, but scared whites, even those professing to be open-minded liberals. In the general election many white democrats abandoned their party's candidate and voted for the Republican (Harold received 8% of the white vote in his initial victory), people showed their dislike of Harold by wearing buttons with a watermelon with an x through it. He was turned away from a rally at a catholic church when the 200 people gathered in this white neighborhood cursed at him. Someone had written the words "Die N_____" across the wall of the church. The Republican candidate's slogan read "Before It's Too Late".
Incidents like this were tragically commonplace. Perhaps this could have been rationalized had it happened in the 1950's, but the year was 1983. It amazes me that Harold was able, largely, to keep himself to the standards of fairness and reform that he set out to accomplish. Formerly, mayors used patronage to give jobs to their cronies as a manner of establishing their clout and controlling politics in the city, Harold refused to do so, often to the consternation of those that elected him.
Gary Rivlin does a fine job with the incredibly moving subject matter he is working with. He alternates between the telling anecdote and analysis of the media coverage received by the Washington administration, interspersed with the history. He criticizes and praises, interviewing many of the subjects of the story to get a fuller portrait of the people involved.
August 26, 2008
I am amazed with the struggle and determination of this man. I am excited to finish it when i have time.
well I had the time and finished it. I truely am amazed at how much hope of changed can be shattered when the current faulty system will not give up and die. I would recamed the book to anyone. A good read especially considering the up coming election.
well I had the time and finished it. I truely am amazed at how much hope of changed can be shattered when the current faulty system will not give up and die. I would recamed the book to anyone. A good read especially considering the up coming election.
August 21, 2008
Find this book, fire up the This American Life episode about Harold Washington, and think of the many more things Harold Washington could have done had it not been for his death... and the Daleys, and the Democratic machine, and the city council...
February 16, 2015
Rivlin does not shy away from Washington's foibles -- his sloppiness, his carousing, his often less-than-magnanimous approach to opponents -- but he paints a narrative of a person and movement that overcame absurd, unwavering, mostly racist opposition to bring some needed reforms to Chicago's city government.
April 12, 2008
Great insight into Harold Washington as a mayoral candidate and Chicago politics and its machinery, in general. In light of today's presidential race, it is fascinating to see how far we have come (or perhaps not) since the Washington days. If you live in Chicago - you must read!
July 7, 2011
Started to feel a little long, but I don't think anything should've been left out. Excellent analysis - not just a chronological retelling of events. I especially enjoyed reading about the 1980s political life of my current alderman.
July 21, 2008
This is a must read for anyone interested in Chicago politics. Interesting and very entertaining. You will not want to put it down.
September 5, 2008
been wanting to read history of washington and how he defeated the machine, oh so briefly.
July 9, 2009
I loved this book. I absolutely adored this book.
This is the story of a man who defied an indefatigable political machine to become the first black mayor of Chicago. Great story well told.
This is the story of a man who defied an indefatigable political machine to become the first black mayor of Chicago. Great story well told.
March 25, 2010
amazing book.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews