The Mayor: Joe Riley and the Rise of Charleston

by Brian Hicks

In his 40 years as Mayor of Charleston, Joe Riley has led the historic port city through its greatest period of growth, economic development and unity. His authorized biography, The Mayor: Joe Riley and the Rise of Charleston, is the inside story of his life and how he built — and forever transformed — one of the nation’s oldest cities.

Genres: Politics

374 pages, Hardcover

Published November 23, 2015

Reviews

[Justinmmoffitt · Rating 2 out of 5]

You could write a trilogy of books on Riley’s tenure as mayor—Hicks, who had more practice as a columnist than as a book writer, tried his best to do it in one. You cannot blame him for that, that is the book market after all.

But, you can blame him for how his book often felt like a hagiography. Riley is presented with all of his grace and none of his flaws—like an alien who descended to Earth to become the most perfect mayor ever. I like Joe Riley. I think you’re a lunatic if you do not like Joe Riley. But, this book was just OK.

[Michael Stein]

Joe Riley Jr. might be the CHS Goat (behind Pat Conroy ofc).

[Jim · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great Mayor. The book has a lot of good ideas for Mayors everywhere. I particularly like the part of how he created great waterfront park in Charleston. I have read many books about Mayors-- for obvious reasons. Joe Riley will go down as one of the great mayors of all time. The book is ok but not great.

[Joseph J. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Joe Riley's story is the story of modern-day Charleston, S.C. His story is one of a man who found his place and thrived, bringing the tradition heavy and moss laden city into the 20th and 21st. century, while retaining the best of its history. He is a rarity in South Carolina politics as a successful Democrat, who opposed the waving of the stars and bars before it became the popular thing (not to all down here) and years before it was drenched in the blood of nine martyrs at Mother Emmanuel Church. He has been called America's Best Mayor, and in these pages, we can see why as we celebrate his service to the city he loves and bettered during his leadership.

[Adair · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading about Riley's influence on the development of Charleston. I like Brian Hicks' work. As you might think, this is very pro-Riley but he covers a lot of issues that Riley dealt with over his long term.

[Joe Debney · Rating 5 out of 5]

An amazing book about an amazing man! Brian Hicks recounts the life of one of the greatest mayors in America.

The story of his life and work is admirable, compelling, and inspiring.

[James Gale · Rating 5 out of 5]

Political biographies may be the best way to learn about the history of a place

[Cindy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brian Hicks' marvelous tribute to Charleston's ten-term mayor is effectively bookended by his principled stand against the Confederate flag's presence on government property.

It starts and ends with the emotional, intellectual leadership of a true Charlestonian. These are the book's strengths. In between is a finely crafted, if necessarily tedious reciting of the challenges Mayor Riley faced in 40 years.

Charleston's growth between 1975 and 2015 is directly the result of a distinctive blend of a man who loves its history, but not at the expense of its future.

[Michael Belfanti · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent biography.