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Windows on Washington Square
For 40 years, Mayor Joe Riley helped guide Charleston through transformation-reviving its historic core, expanding public spaces, supporting the arts and rebuilding after disaster. But behind every groundbreaking council meeting and crisis response were the unseen decisions, doubts, debates and moments of clarity that shaped the city's path forward.
Windows on Washington Square offers a rare, first-person account of how Charleston became the city we recognize today. Riley reflects on designing Waterfront Park, revitalizing King Street, expanding affordable housing and strengthening the city's preservation ethic-not as a list of achievements, but as lessons in collaboration, conflict and conviction. He recounts leading Charleston through Hurricane Hugo and navigating the profound, collective grief of the Mother Emanuel AME Church massacre, revealing how a city holds itself together when the world is watching.
Alongside these public moments are personal ones-dinner table conversations, afternoon swims with his sons and the steady support of his wife, Charlotte, all of whom shared both the weight and the hope of his work.
This is the story of how a city was built not just in its streets and parks, but in its choices, relationships and belief in what it could become.
Praise for Windows on Washington Square
"This is the story of a mayor who changed not just his city, but the way cities are built in America. Through the Mayors' Institute on City Design, founded in 1986, Mayor Riley has helped more than 1,200 mayors see themselves as their city's chief urban designer. This influence can be found in nearly every major urban design project in the nation, all rooted in the care and conviction that shaped the Charleston we know and love today."
-Trinity Simons Wagner
Executive Director, Mayors' Institute on City Design
"Mayor Riley's recounting of his remarkable career in Windows on Washington Square gives insight into the leadership he provided that transformed one of America's oldest cities into one of its most beloved. This is a beautiful memoir that is a joy to read!"
-Kendra Stewart, PhD
Professor of Political Science and Director, Riley Center for Livable Communities, College of Charleston
"A singular public servant, Joe Riley was the Mayor's Mayor. He is the gold standard that so many of us desired to be measured against. The respect that Mayor Riley has enjoyed is not because of the historic length of his tenure, but because of his principled leadership and the ability to articulate a bold vision in tandem with the technical ability to do the small things that make big visionary things happen. His principled leadership led not only Charleston, but our nation through the natural and man-made disasters of Hurricane Hugo, the tragic Emanuel Nine massacre, and more storied in Windows on Washington Square. He's one of a kind."
-Stephen Benjamin, JD
Mayor of Columbia, S.C. (2010-22); President, U.S. Conference of Mayors (2018-19); Attorney and Principal, The Benjamin Law Firm, LLC (Columbia)
Windows on Washington Square offers a rare, first-person account of how Charleston became the city we recognize today. Riley reflects on designing Waterfront Park, revitalizing King Street, expanding affordable housing and strengthening the city's preservation ethic-not as a list of achievements, but as lessons in collaboration, conflict and conviction. He recounts leading Charleston through Hurricane Hugo and navigating the profound, collective grief of the Mother Emanuel AME Church massacre, revealing how a city holds itself together when the world is watching.
Alongside these public moments are personal ones-dinner table conversations, afternoon swims with his sons and the steady support of his wife, Charlotte, all of whom shared both the weight and the hope of his work.
This is the story of how a city was built not just in its streets and parks, but in its choices, relationships and belief in what it could become.
Praise for Windows on Washington Square
"This is the story of a mayor who changed not just his city, but the way cities are built in America. Through the Mayors' Institute on City Design, founded in 1986, Mayor Riley has helped more than 1,200 mayors see themselves as their city's chief urban designer. This influence can be found in nearly every major urban design project in the nation, all rooted in the care and conviction that shaped the Charleston we know and love today."
-Trinity Simons Wagner
Executive Director, Mayors' Institute on City Design
"Mayor Riley's recounting of his remarkable career in Windows on Washington Square gives insight into the leadership he provided that transformed one of America's oldest cities into one of its most beloved. This is a beautiful memoir that is a joy to read!"
-Kendra Stewart, PhD
Professor of Political Science and Director, Riley Center for Livable Communities, College of Charleston
"A singular public servant, Joe Riley was the Mayor's Mayor. He is the gold standard that so many of us desired to be measured against. The respect that Mayor Riley has enjoyed is not because of the historic length of his tenure, but because of his principled leadership and the ability to articulate a bold vision in tandem with the technical ability to do the small things that make big visionary things happen. His principled leadership led not only Charleston, but our nation through the natural and man-made disasters of Hurricane Hugo, the tragic Emanuel Nine massacre, and more storied in Windows on Washington Square. He's one of a kind."
-Stephen Benjamin, JD
Mayor of Columbia, S.C. (2010-22); President, U.S. Conference of Mayors (2018-19); Attorney and Principal, The Benjamin Law Firm, LLC (Columbia)
Hardcover
Published January 6, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
January 31, 2026
Windows on Washington Square is a love letter to Charleston, written by Mayor Riley, our beloved mayor for forty years! He championed his hometown of Charleston, SC into one of the most beloved international cities! His commitment to preservation, was instrumental in restoring and beautifying downtown Charleston with a keen eye for detail. Every little decision was made with care, craft and consideration for a city with outward beauty and pride while respecting its complicated and layered history.
His leadership helped create the Spoleto Festival, the South Carolina Aquarium and most recently, an International African American Museum build on sacred ground. His vision and hard work helped rebuild downtown Charleston into the vibrant and beautiful city it is today! Riley worked tirelessly building bridges between different communities and giving everyone a voice.
He navigated two national tragedies with grit and grace. He build partnerships and built bridges between community members across all areas. Each decision was made in creating and cultivating a world class city that would stand the test of time! He is beloved in his city and around the country for his dedication and his innovation. Riley is a trailblazer! His brilliant memoir is written in his distinct voice and captures his love of Charleston and most importantly his love for the people who call it home. A treasure!
His leadership helped create the Spoleto Festival, the South Carolina Aquarium and most recently, an International African American Museum build on sacred ground. His vision and hard work helped rebuild downtown Charleston into the vibrant and beautiful city it is today! Riley worked tirelessly building bridges between different communities and giving everyone a voice.
He navigated two national tragedies with grit and grace. He build partnerships and built bridges between community members across all areas. Each decision was made in creating and cultivating a world class city that would stand the test of time! He is beloved in his city and around the country for his dedication and his innovation. Riley is a trailblazer! His brilliant memoir is written in his distinct voice and captures his love of Charleston and most importantly his love for the people who call it home. A treasure!
July 25, 2026
one of the best books I have read, hands down. It was absolutely fascinating to hear about mayor Riley’s journey through his childhood in Charleston to his amazing tenure as major of the city. Similar to “the first eight,” I find it such an honor to learn about the history of Charleston, and read about streets and locations that I’m on every single day!!! Reading this book was an amazing reminder of the roots of this city, built on connection and culture blended together. I thank mayor Riley for his efforts, and I hope I get to meet him some day around town ❤️
I wish he had talked more about the recent culture change in Charleston, but i can understand he is not mayor anymore!
I wish he had talked more about the recent culture change in Charleston, but i can understand he is not mayor anymore!
May 23, 2026
Charleston owes more to this man than anyone else in its recent history. It would not be anything remotely resembling what it is today without him.
The book rambles a bit when describing his childhood but it is a very interesting first hand account of the transformation of Charleston during his 40 year tenure as mayor. I wish he had talked some about gentrification and some of the other downsides of that transformation but all in all it is a very good memoir.
The book rambles a bit when describing his childhood but it is a very interesting first hand account of the transformation of Charleston during his 40 year tenure as mayor. I wish he had talked some about gentrification and some of the other downsides of that transformation but all in all it is a very good memoir.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews