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Plunkitt of Tammany Hall: A Series of Very Plain Talks on Very Practical Politics
This classic work offers the unblushing, unvarnished wit and wisdom of one of the most fascinating figures ever to play the American political game and win. George Washington Plunkitt rose from impoverished beginnings to become ward boss of the Fifteenth Assembly District in New York, a key player in the powerhouse political team of Tammany Hall, and a millionaire.
In a series of utterly frank talks given at his headquarters at Graziano’s bootblack stand inside the New York County Court House, he revealed to a sharp-eared and sympathetic reporter named William L. Riordon the secrets of political success as practiced and perfected by Tammany Hall titans.
The result is not only a volume that reveals more about our political system than does a shelf load of civics textbooks, but also an irresistible portrait of a man who would feel happily at home playing ball with today’s lobbyists and kingmakers, trading votes for political and financial favors.
Doing for twentieth-century America what Machiavelli did for Renaissance Italy, and as entertaining as it is instructive, Plunkitt of Tammany Hall is essential reading for those who prefer twenty-twenty vision to rose-colored glasses in viewing how our government works and why.
In a series of utterly frank talks given at his headquarters at Graziano’s bootblack stand inside the New York County Court House, he revealed to a sharp-eared and sympathetic reporter named William L. Riordon the secrets of political success as practiced and perfected by Tammany Hall titans.
The result is not only a volume that reveals more about our political system than does a shelf load of civics textbooks, but also an irresistible portrait of a man who would feel happily at home playing ball with today’s lobbyists and kingmakers, trading votes for political and financial favors.
Doing for twentieth-century America what Machiavelli did for Renaissance Italy, and as entertaining as it is instructive, Plunkitt of Tammany Hall is essential reading for those who prefer twenty-twenty vision to rose-colored glasses in viewing how our government works and why.
98 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1905
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598 people want to read
About the author
George Washington Plunkitt
10 books1 followerGeorge Washington Plunkitt was an American politician from New York State, who served in both houses of the New York State Legislature. He was a leader of the Tammany Hall political organization, a vehement critic of the Civil Service, and notably responsible for a series of colloquial and practical short talks recorded in "Plunkitt of Tammany Hall," which comprise his observations and successful mastery of machine politics.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 106 reviews
March 19, 2021
2021-03-19 This was one of the books assigned by the "New Left" professor I had for Into to Government class in college (~1974-5). It was a very candid account of the head of the Tammany Hall "machine" in NY City in the late 1800s, George Washington Plunkitt, who explained the different between "Honest Graft and Dishonest Graft."
I will never forget the professor answering my query toward the end of the class or afterwards as to why he did not assign any good "conservative" or pro-individual liberty books in the class, and with a straight face, he said something like "but I thought I did - Plunkitt of Tammany Hall."
Incredible! He really thought that conservative or pro-individual liberty meant honest or dishonest graft!!!! I was so dumbstruck that I was not able to engage him on the topic.
Of course, all the ideas of the great classical liberals from Montesquieu, Adam Smith, Jefferson, De Tocqueville, Herbert Spencer, Mises, Ayn Rand, Hayek, etc. were no-where to be found in that class.
As to this book, there may be different types of graft, but honest and dishonest don't begin to explain how it is all bad, but part and parcel of how governments that are trying to do things beyond the basic functions of protecting lives and property, dole out their "take."
I will never forget the professor answering my query toward the end of the class or afterwards as to why he did not assign any good "conservative" or pro-individual liberty books in the class, and with a straight face, he said something like "but I thought I did - Plunkitt of Tammany Hall."
Incredible! He really thought that conservative or pro-individual liberty meant honest or dishonest graft!!!! I was so dumbstruck that I was not able to engage him on the topic.
Of course, all the ideas of the great classical liberals from Montesquieu, Adam Smith, Jefferson, De Tocqueville, Herbert Spencer, Mises, Ayn Rand, Hayek, etc. were no-where to be found in that class.
As to this book, there may be different types of graft, but honest and dishonest don't begin to explain how it is all bad, but part and parcel of how governments that are trying to do things beyond the basic functions of protecting lives and property, dole out their "take."
April 23, 2009
A fantastic introduction by Terrence MacDonald puts Plunkitt in his place. This most infamous of early 20th century "ward bosses" consciously created his image as an anti-reform picaresque machine politician because he knew it would get him copy, and Evening Post reporter William Riordon was only too happy to give it to him, along with some journalistic embellishments of his own.
Although it is sometimes difficult to tell where Plunkitt's insights end and Riordon's writing begins, this book gave me a more realistic perspective on old city politics than almost any I've read. And the additional articles by Jane Addams and Lincoln Steffens also demonstrated how crucial the debates over civil service reform and urban jobs were to national politics.
March 20, 2021
This book gives an enthralling account of the New York City Democratic Party machine around the time of the turn of the century. Plunkitt seems to be the most personable man ever, and understands everything around him very well. He is incredibly honest about how he wins elections, and his not always altruistic reasons for doing so. Although following the directives of this book today would certainly lead to lengthy sittings of the ethics committee, it still has very relevant advice for the modern politician. Plunkitt wins by helping his constituents, and by being there for their ever need. He, in turn gets to profit off his office through "honest graft". Plunkitt is a big proponent of patronage as a political reward, and sees it as a way of promoting patriotism and virtue. Throughout the book he addresses the new civil service laws so often and so consistently that it started getting a chuckle out of me whenever he mentioned them. His exaggerations and stories are genuinely hilarious. Plunkitt understands politics, he understands human nature, and he certainly puts the work in to succeed in politics. A fascinating account of turn of the century politics which almost makes one wistful for the politics of the time.
December 1, 2020
This guy really hates civil service reform.
Plunkitt was saying out-loud, in public, from his permanent “office hours” spot at the boot black stand in the County Courthouse, what most politicians were doing in secret (and still do).
Excellent pick for any political, Union, or activist reading group. Moderate CW because of his liberal use of racial epithets (which was probably par for the course at the time, as these were all public talks, out in the open).
Gives you a good picture of the closed-door business of patronage and appointments and “honest graft” back in those days at Tammany and in modern-day Albany and in Washington D.C.
But also, it’s like 80% of him absolutely shitting on civil service reform.
Plunkitt was saying out-loud, in public, from his permanent “office hours” spot at the boot black stand in the County Courthouse, what most politicians were doing in secret (and still do).
Excellent pick for any political, Union, or activist reading group. Moderate CW because of his liberal use of racial epithets (which was probably par for the course at the time, as these were all public talks, out in the open).
Gives you a good picture of the closed-door business of patronage and appointments and “honest graft” back in those days at Tammany and in modern-day Albany and in Washington D.C.
But also, it’s like 80% of him absolutely shitting on civil service reform.
July 8, 2010
George Washington Plunkitt was a solid foot soldier in the Tammany Hall machine at its peak, in the latter 1800s etc. This book is laced with his observations: "I seen my opportunities and I took them." Or his analysis of the distinction between honest and dishonest graft. Down to earth, amusing, and insightful. When I lectured on the political machine, examples from this book always got students' attention!
March 4, 2023
An insider's view of how to win hearts, minds and votes in New York during the heyday of the early 20th century Tammany Hall machine. Plunkitt's reflections on politics and its rewards are downright hilarious. As you might expect from a Tammany ward boss, his hatred of civil service reform is unsatiable. Great entertainment (as well as boots-on-the-ground history) in a slim volume. Thanks to my friend, Ed, for the recommendation.
August 13, 2024
campaign season so... had to pick up this book again haha. brings me back to ps 102 but honestly, this has stuck w me since i read it the first time all those years ago... anyway. i would consider this a quintessential read to understanding the american political system
January 23, 2025
I have my doubts as to how verbatim this account is — it just seems a bit *too* on the nose. But even if 20% is invented it’s such a compelling, savvy, and interesting document. Still very relevant to contemporary American politics, especially as the federal government is right now seriously re-engaging with the old civil service reforms and perhaps reverting to an earlier and uglier version of Executive Branch patronage staffing across the board. Feels important to ask the question "why do people bother getting involved in politics?" and its corollary "what do people expect to get out of it?" Tammany had an answer, it was a clear one. The reformers? It gets muddy quick.
July 23, 2010
An enchanting look at the old Tammany Hall political machine at the turn of the 20th century. Through the eyes of one of the machine politicians--George Washington Plunkitt. His discussions of honest versus dishonest graft, reformers, how to advance in the system, how to be a successfully elected politician, and so on are keen observations about the operation of a machine.
Fun and enlightening at the same time. . . .
Fun and enlightening at the same time. . . .
December 26, 2017
The reporter William L. Riordan's recording of informal talks given by George Washington Plunkitt, one of the leading Tammany Hall politicians in late 19th century New York City. Famous for his phrase "honest graft", you get a glimpse for the feel of the machine politics going on at the time. A unique book and very entertaining.
April 26, 2021
"Well the way I sees it, we don't need no regulation on no garbage trucks, we just pick of the garbage of the people we like, and damn the folks that we don't."
March 15, 2025
Plunkitt is personable, hilarious and makes you long for simpler political times. Although written so long ago, this surprisingly modern man gives relevant advice to modern politics!
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April 14, 2021I had never seriously considered opposition to the "meritocratic" civil service system before, but I think Plunkitt might have a point. If he saw what congressfolks today have to go through to get anything out of the intelligence agencies, he'd laugh and tell us he told us so. Civil service can have an accountability problem, and while the spoils system has problems too, accountability of appointed officials to elected officials (and to the public through them) is not one of them.
And to the extent that qualified, examined civil servants are good at their functions, the problem of their lack of accountability to elected officials is magnified by that competence.
I don't think Plunkitt's distinction between honest and dishonest graft is baseless either. In his practice of "honest graft" in purchasing real estate which he has inside information to believe may soon be of interest to the city, he maintains skin-in-the-game; he takes risks and sometimes loses. He never compels or coerces, but makes voluntary exchanges across an information gap, which is true in many voluntary transactions typically considered perfectly ethical. And it seems like the sort of thing where, if it became commonly known as his practice, one might offer to sell only at unusually high prices when Plunkitt came knocking to buy your land, on the assumption that he has inside information and you can get a slice of the pie.
In any case, definitely the cleanest sort of graft I've ever read about.
I find a lot agreeable in Plunkitt's views on patriotism ("It is hard to be patriotic when the wolf is at your door"), saloon licensing (if it's criminal to deal liquor, arrest saloon owners. If it isn't criminal to deal liquor, don't go imposing taxes on them alone that you wouldn't impose on vendors of other beverages, like milkmen. A high license fee will just drive centralization of saloons under a few big owners, the driving out of business of many honest saloon owners, and the driving underground of the rest), campaign literature (don't bother, no voter is won by campaign literature and some are lost because they get fed up with all of the spam), and making New York City a city-state and a full member of the Union.
Outside of Plunkitt's opinions, this book is also interesting as a window into the lively American civic life at the turn of the century. Plunkitt names many civic society organizations - the Civil Union, "the Good Government clubs", "the County Democracy, which was the only real opponent Tamanny has had in my time, the Irving Hall Democracy, the New York State Democracy, the German-American Democracy, the Protection Democracy, the Independent County Democracy, the Greater New York Democracy, the Jimmy O'Brien Democracy, the Delicatessen Dealers' Democracy, the Silver Democracy, and the Italian Democracy", the Charity Organization Society, and of course Tamanny Hall itself (complete, naturally, with a big society hall where they hold events, including four hours of speeches on the 4th of July followed by a big party). It's sort of a remarkable glimpse into a foreign country, and a damn sad contrast with the state of American civil society today.
Definitely an interesting book to read alongside Take Back Your Government: A Practical Handbook for the Private Citizen Who Wants Democracy to Work, where some decades later Heinlein discusses how to fight machine-politics. But Heinlein and Plunkitt both largely agree on how to be effective as a small citizen-politician.
And to the extent that qualified, examined civil servants are good at their functions, the problem of their lack of accountability to elected officials is magnified by that competence.
I don't think Plunkitt's distinction between honest and dishonest graft is baseless either. In his practice of "honest graft" in purchasing real estate which he has inside information to believe may soon be of interest to the city, he maintains skin-in-the-game; he takes risks and sometimes loses. He never compels or coerces, but makes voluntary exchanges across an information gap, which is true in many voluntary transactions typically considered perfectly ethical. And it seems like the sort of thing where, if it became commonly known as his practice, one might offer to sell only at unusually high prices when Plunkitt came knocking to buy your land, on the assumption that he has inside information and you can get a slice of the pie.
In any case, definitely the cleanest sort of graft I've ever read about.
I find a lot agreeable in Plunkitt's views on patriotism ("It is hard to be patriotic when the wolf is at your door"), saloon licensing (if it's criminal to deal liquor, arrest saloon owners. If it isn't criminal to deal liquor, don't go imposing taxes on them alone that you wouldn't impose on vendors of other beverages, like milkmen. A high license fee will just drive centralization of saloons under a few big owners, the driving out of business of many honest saloon owners, and the driving underground of the rest), campaign literature (don't bother, no voter is won by campaign literature and some are lost because they get fed up with all of the spam), and making New York City a city-state and a full member of the Union.
Outside of Plunkitt's opinions, this book is also interesting as a window into the lively American civic life at the turn of the century. Plunkitt names many civic society organizations - the Civil Union, "the Good Government clubs", "the County Democracy, which was the only real opponent Tamanny has had in my time, the Irving Hall Democracy, the New York State Democracy, the German-American Democracy, the Protection Democracy, the Independent County Democracy, the Greater New York Democracy, the Jimmy O'Brien Democracy, the Delicatessen Dealers' Democracy, the Silver Democracy, and the Italian Democracy", the Charity Organization Society, and of course Tamanny Hall itself (complete, naturally, with a big society hall where they hold events, including four hours of speeches on the 4th of July followed by a big party). It's sort of a remarkable glimpse into a foreign country, and a damn sad contrast with the state of American civil society today.
Definitely an interesting book to read alongside Take Back Your Government: A Practical Handbook for the Private Citizen Who Wants Democracy to Work, where some decades later Heinlein discusses how to fight machine-politics. But Heinlein and Plunkitt both largely agree on how to be effective as a small citizen-politician.
January 17, 2023
A short charming paean to modest corruption—honest graft as Plunkitt, a New York City politician of the late 18th and early 19th century, calls it, as well as the patronage system as exemplified in Tammany Hall, as delivered in a series of short lectures. And like, sure this is questionable af, but it's fascinating to see an honest take on the merits of that system from one of its leading lights. Also, he's funny and relentlessly on message about the ills of the Civil Service system, which like I'm pretty sure was actually a major improvement, but interestingly does gesture into critiques of meritocracy as a funnel for the elite, though I think he would laugh at me for phrasing it that way.
A lot of Plunkitt's claims are that the spoils system promotes a sort of direct democracy. He gets votes by offering his constituents things like jobs and support and a personal relationship with someone in power. Sure it's transactional, but those transactions benefit anyone who is willing to participate in the system. And I do think there's a missing personal relationship in our current politics. In Plunkitt's world, if something goes wrong, it's clear who your champion should be.
Far be it from me to advocate for a return to this sort of corrupt machine politics, but I think it's worth spending time with people like Plunkitt to connect to the appeal of them.
A lot of Plunkitt's claims are that the spoils system promotes a sort of direct democracy. He gets votes by offering his constituents things like jobs and support and a personal relationship with someone in power. Sure it's transactional, but those transactions benefit anyone who is willing to participate in the system. And I do think there's a missing personal relationship in our current politics. In Plunkitt's world, if something goes wrong, it's clear who your champion should be.
Far be it from me to advocate for a return to this sort of corrupt machine politics, but I think it's worth spending time with people like Plunkitt to connect to the appeal of them.
March 16, 2025
This's the autobiography and self-defense of a corrupt politician of the Tammany Hall political machine.
He paints a picture that makes the machine look like a very good thing, with precinct captains dispensing aid immediately to everyone who needs it and taking a personal interest in their lives. His inveterate foe is the civil service exam, which he paints as irrelevant questions of no import to the jobs people actually do; instead, Tammany officials should just be able to appoint the people who need their jobs (as they still could, at the time, in many but not all jobs). All this, he argues vociforously, encourages patriotism.
Plunkitt has a great style, which I shouldn't be surprised by from a politician and former precinct captain. It's a very engaging read.
What he papers over is how all this is supported. Why do businesses, or non-exam-chosen civil servants, donate so much to Tammany Hall? What happens if they don't? Plunkitt doesn't even hint. What he doesn't paper over, though, is almost as bad: his straight-out defense of "honest graft", taking advantage of insider knowledge to defraud city contracts and individual propertyowners.
This's a telling book, even though not in the ways Plunkitt intended.
He paints a picture that makes the machine look like a very good thing, with precinct captains dispensing aid immediately to everyone who needs it and taking a personal interest in their lives. His inveterate foe is the civil service exam, which he paints as irrelevant questions of no import to the jobs people actually do; instead, Tammany officials should just be able to appoint the people who need their jobs (as they still could, at the time, in many but not all jobs). All this, he argues vociforously, encourages patriotism.
Plunkitt has a great style, which I shouldn't be surprised by from a politician and former precinct captain. It's a very engaging read.
What he papers over is how all this is supported. Why do businesses, or non-exam-chosen civil servants, donate so much to Tammany Hall? What happens if they don't? Plunkitt doesn't even hint. What he doesn't paper over, though, is almost as bad: his straight-out defense of "honest graft", taking advantage of insider knowledge to defraud city contracts and individual propertyowners.
This's a telling book, even though not in the ways Plunkitt intended.
March 28, 2020
A series of quick, snappy speeches by a political leader of Tammany Hall. An inside look at machine politics, a completely different beast from conventional campaigns. Some of it definitely seems absurd today. His acceptance of "honest graft" left me aghast, but that could also be my naivety!
"Live like your neighbors even if you have the means to live better. Make the poorest man in your district feel that he is your equal, or even a bit superior to you. Above all things, avoid a dress suit."
"Another thing that people won't stand for is showin' off your leaning'. That's just puttin' on style in another way. If you're making' speeches in a campaign, talk the language people talk."
"Live like your neighbors even if you have the means to live better. Make the poorest man in your district feel that he is your equal, or even a bit superior to you. Above all things, avoid a dress suit."
"Another thing that people won't stand for is showin' off your leaning'. That's just puttin' on style in another way. If you're making' speeches in a campaign, talk the language people talk."
September 22, 2023
A very good writer in his introduction before the series of speeches herein culls the best of the colorful Plunkitt's political observations and opinions.
Don't expect much history of the infamous Tammany Hall. It's undoing is not covered in this volume.
The speeches are front-loaded; that is, after the best and brightest ones they become less exciting and more redundant.
I'd certainly recommend this to anyone with political ambitions for its bounty of worthwhile advice from the master; that is, if you can stomach the attitude that you'll rarely find one who's not going to receive personal profit on the side.
Don't expect much history of the infamous Tammany Hall. It's undoing is not covered in this volume.
The speeches are front-loaded; that is, after the best and brightest ones they become less exciting and more redundant.
I'd certainly recommend this to anyone with political ambitions for its bounty of worthwhile advice from the master; that is, if you can stomach the attitude that you'll rarely find one who's not going to receive personal profit on the side.
December 29, 2023
A book full of barebones wisdom based on decades of experience running New York City's political scene. Plunkitt is probably more profound today than he was when he gave these talks as his fundamental predictions have been proven correct- honest graft is ugly, but dishonest graft is more ugly and dangerously insidious.
As such, a lot of his observations on the passing scene hold up. Tammany had no shortage of problems, but that doesn't mean they didn't have a point. You'd be robbing yourself of some smart practical insights by avoiding this. An essential read if you're looking to get into politics.
As such, a lot of his observations on the passing scene hold up. Tammany had no shortage of problems, but that doesn't mean they didn't have a point. You'd be robbing yourself of some smart practical insights by avoiding this. An essential read if you're looking to get into politics.
January 17, 2025
I guess the best way I can describe this book is a "slice of life." Although the slice of life in this case is the slice of life of a Tammany politician from turn of the century New York who is providing means - through some graft, through some honestly good sense - on how to be a Tammany politician in 1905.
I'll say it's niche. Not everyone wants to read 100 pages of hilarious ranting against Civil Service Reform. For me, it was great. I'll only go back for my highlights to avoid all the ranting...but great. I'd be fascinated by a more objective, historical book about Tammany during this era.
I'll say it's niche. Not everyone wants to read 100 pages of hilarious ranting against Civil Service Reform. For me, it was great. I'll only go back for my highlights to avoid all the ranting...but great. I'd be fascinated by a more objective, historical book about Tammany during this era.
May 1, 2020
Interesting compilation of political speeches made from a time when politics - especially dirty party politics- was much more in the open. His insights into how graft works and how to coalesce a political machine around goals are pretty timeless. It’s racist, sexist, anti-government, corrupt, and really offensive in parts, but it’s an honest look at what it takes to win (and profit) in politics. It’s a good reminder of what the business of politics actually entails, and remains an oddly nascent guide in the current political climate.
March 1, 2024
A foundational political text. Plunkitt's understanding of how and why politics works is key to understanding the rise and fall of machine politics in the United States. His distinctions of honest and dishonest graft still underly much of the nation's political corruption (especially here in the Northeast). It's hard not to admire his genius and shamelessness in an age when politicians have often forgotten how important serving the individual constituent is to building a lasting and durable base.
September 5, 2025
3 stars for capturing this incredibly weird time in US politics and for the insight into the workings of the anti-intellectual movement of the civil service reform nonsense. Plunkitt sucks out loud but his rantings provide fascinating insight into this weird, homosocial, hypermasculine elevation of handshakes and good ole boys. Reading this 120 years after it was written and it’s a nauseating to watch a bunch of Plunkitt 2.0s stampede their way around the federal government like bunch of idiot bulls in china shops.
April 10, 2021
I first read this book in 1975 as a freshman in college while taking a class on the history of political parties. It is not only a great history of urban political machines in general and New York’s Tammany Hall in particular, it is also an honest depiction of politics everywhere. There is so much information and insight in this book, and so much humor! I laughed out loud many times.
Unfortunately, not much in politics has changed. This book is timeless. It is as relevant today as it was in 1905 when it was first published.
Unfortunately, not much in politics has changed. This book is timeless. It is as relevant today as it was in 1905 when it was first published.
March 31, 2025
A refreshing take on realpolitik from a historical source. A district leader in the Tammany Hall party that ran New York City for over to 50 years lays out how to be a professional politician. Not much has changed since this was written over 100 years ago except the brutal honesty of Plunkitt would never happen today. Short and witty read.
June 18, 2018
Quick and hilarious reading, Plunkett's plain talks give more insight to American politics than any objective histories I've yet come across. It's a great period piece and, given the eternal nature of political turmoil, will probably be relevant for centuries to come.
February 3, 2019
I loved this one!
It may be less useful if you don’t know the history of Tammany (I had just finished Machine Made).
But the anecdotal discussions on politics from a real master of the art at the time.
It may be less useful if you don’t know the history of Tammany (I had just finished Machine Made).
But the anecdotal discussions on politics from a real master of the art at the time.
May 21, 2021
An unalloyed and entertaining account of politics as it really works, narrated by an expert practitioner with wit and honesty. Times change, but "honest graft" is always the same. A must read for anyone who wants to see through the spin and hypocrisy.
March 20, 2022
Extremely frank thoughts of a proudly corrupt and uniquely effective Tammany politician. Plunkitt's voice is incredible (lots of famous quotes in this one) Eye-opening and entertaining historical document.
October 25, 2022
This little book makes me wish for a time machine, so I could listen myself to the words of political wisdom, spoken from that bootblack stand in front of the New York County Courthouse in 1905 by one of Tammany's brightest stars, George Washington Plunkitt. For a man who hadn't much formal education, he sure had quite the way with words, and could hold his own with any college graduate in the political field, when it comes to the evasions, doubletalk, and seemingly plausible excuses and explanations. He could make anyone who questioned Tammany's sometime dubious methods wonder how they had the nerve to ever question in the first place! He makes it all so reasonable, just common sense.
You got to love his explanation of "honest graft" (which really does make sense) and the way he'll declare in a matter-of-fact way: "I seen my opportunities and I took 'em." He sure did! (And who can blame him?)
I have to laugh at how vehemently he despised the Civil Service reforms, having no use at all for the exams that replaced the good old fashioned patronage system. Since my dad was a postal worker, and studied hard, passing his CS exam with flying colors, I can't say I agree with Plunkitt on this matter, but I can understand his reasoning.
He did some good for the city, (being partially responsible for the George Washington Bridge and the Museum of Natural history, as a couple of examples) and a lot for the people in his district. As he rightfully pointed out, a lot of poor and needy (victims of fire, for example) were given food, clothes, shelter and help getting back on their feet a lot faster through Tammany than from formal charities and organizations, and these men, whatever their faults, got to know the people in their districts, who got something in return for their vote.
It goes without saying, his viewpoint might be more than slightly biased, but what the heck? I's still fun to read this "series of very plain talks on very practical politics". Social history at its best!
December 23, 2022
A fun read – particularly Plunkitt's asides about the civil service exam – and instructive for those seeking to understand why Albany works the way it does. Can't say the book earns its length, but there are certainly worse historical figures to spend 130 pages with.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 106 reviews