"The Boss and the Machine" is a revealing work authored by Samuel Peter Orth. The book delves into the intricate dynamics of urban politics and power struggles in America during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Orth meticulously dissects the rise of political machines, notably focusing on the iconic figure of Thomas C. Platt, a mastermind behind New York's Republican political machinery. Orth's narrative provides a comprehensive exploration...