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Plunkitt of Tammany Hall: A Series of Very Plain Talks on Very Practical Politics
Written by George Washington Plunkitt
Narrated by Robert Bethune
Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars
3.5/5
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About this audiobook
In the days of Tammany Hall, politicians like George Washington Plunkitt spent their careers in service to the city--but first and foremost in the service of the political machine. Plunkitt seems never to have doubted exactly where he stood on the deeply corrupt, yet amazingly effective politics and government in which he spent his life; he was entirely in favor of it, and gave it his devoted service while becoming a millionaire in return. He was instrumental in expanding the New York City park system, in creating the Museum of Natural History, the 155th Street Viaduct, and many other public improvements--and he profited handsomely from his insider's knowledge of the real estate aspects of them all. In this book, William L. Riordan, one of the "muckracker" journalists, records Plunkitt's take on politics in Plunkitt's own words--as delivered from the bootblack stand at the New York County Courthouse, Plunkitt's only office. His take on life, politics, and morality is as delightfully frank as it is astonishingly cynical. Enjoy!
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Rating: 3.5595238095238093 out of 5 stars
3.5/5
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- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5George Washington Plunkitt was a Democratic Senator from New York in the late 1800s to early 1900s. He was a part of the political machine known as Tammany Hall which had a huge influence on New York City's politics during this same period. These politicians were famous for lending aid to many of the newly arriving immigrants during this period, as well as their questionable tactics. Plunkitt, who became a millionaire was famous for his "plain talks on very practical politics." In these talks he explains the difference between 'honest graft' and 'dishonest graft.' He favored the idea of 'you scratch my back and I'll scratch yours.' Many of the immigrants would vote for a candidate such as Plunkitt in exchange for the opportunity of receiving government jobs. This was very important during a time when there were so many immigrants and so few jobs to come by. He also felt that it was OK to use insider information to grow his wealth. This book is a great little snapshot of the history of New York politics during this era.