2-3-4 Challenge Book Discussions #1 discussion

The story takes place in New York City in 1896 in the midst of reforms spearheaded by Theodore Roosevelt. Frank gives us insight into the workings of the police department and it wasn’t very flattering. Were you aware of the bribery system of that era and the pass given to the gentry of the city? What surprised you the most?

I had a general idea of there being corruption in politics during that period but I never knew that police could buy their promotions or that police worked off of bribes that were an accepted way pf doing things. I also never knew Roosevelt was Commissioner for a time. I found all that interesting.

I was really surprised to learning about Roosevelt's role as commissioner and his reforms of the department. That was a neat find.

What astounded me was how that bribery and promotion-buying system was accepted norms...not done undercover or in secret. How in the world was that department ever to be respected? You'd expect some level of corruption but this was just plain the system.

The only thing I knew about New York City police department problems at the turn of the century was that there was rampant corruption. I remember reading that the rich could buy easily buy their way out of trouble. They could also pay to have someone they didn't like arrested.

I knew Teddy Roosevelt was from NYC, but didn't know he was the Police Commissioner or that he was behind the reforms.

I found this article on Teddy Roosevelt and his time in New York. A lot of the points in the article were included in this book.

https://www.thoughtco.com/theodore-ro...

Thanks, Robin! Interesting article.

I love learning new things. Thanks for finding that, Robin!

I've read some other books set in this time and place, so I knew about the corruption. Highly recommend for more about it.

Lauren wrote: "I've read some other books set in this time and place, so I knew about the corruption. Highly recommend for more about it."

I just set my DVR for The Alienist. I keep seeing previews and it looks pretty good. It starts on TV next Monday.

Robin wrote: "I just set my DVR for The Alienist. I keep seeing previews and it looks pretty good. It starts on TV next Monday.."

Thanks for the heads up!
I really hope they do the book justice

Robin wrote: "I just set my DVR for The Alienist. I keep seeing previews and it looks pretty good. It starts on TV next Monday."

Me too!

I've read The Alienist but it's been long enough that the details are fuzzy in my mind...which should mean that any changes made for the show won't bother me.

I didn't know much about the police department and Roosevelt, and it was nice learning about it. Was that level of corruption of the police department only in New York City, or was it more widespread?
Thanks for the article, Robin.

Don’t really know but I’d imagine that NY was unique in terms of size. Most cities would have had a small police department or a sheriff serving a whole county.

I knew there was corruption, but had no idea it was as bad as it was (buying promotions). And I didn't realize Roosevelt was Police Commissioner or part of the reform. I had to google it all, and loved that author stayed fairly historically accurate.

Robin wrote: "I found this article on Teddy Roosevelt and his time in New York. A lot of the points in the article were included in this book.

https://www.thoughtco.com/theodore-ro......"

I read this one, too, during my google search lol. It's an interesting article. Thanks for sharing it, Robin.

I was not aware of any of that before reading this book. I didn't really know much history of New York so that was interesting for me.

I also knew about the corruption but had no idea promotions were bought by the ones wanting the promotions. How much was it? Something like 12 or 14,000 dollars. That is just mind blowing. How much would that be today? Something like $300,000? Ridiculous!

I also thought that was an outrageous amount of money. That was equivalent to about ten years salary.