The Napoleon of New York: Mayor Fiorello La Guardia

by H. Paul Jeffers

Book Overview

Praise for H. Paul Jeffers

Diamond Jim Brady: Prince of the Gilded Age

"One of the most entertaining historical business narratives in recent memory. The story of this symbol of America's Gilded Age is filled with such gusto and vigor that even hardcore business readers will be swept away."
-Publishers Weekly

"Superb historical biography of one of the more colorful characters in American history . . . spirited. . . ...

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0471024651
• ISBN13: 9780471024651
• Release Date: April 2002
• Publisher: Wiley
• Length: 400 Pages
• Weight: 1.64 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.3" x 6.5" x 9.6"

Customer Reviews

Not sure how accurate it is...

... and I'm sure there's another side to the story. This glowing biography of the Little Flower definitely paints a beautiful portrait of LaGuardia, one I'm not entirely sure that some of his opponents would have agreed with. It mentions his faults, but almost always explains them away. Ultimately, however, I really didn't care. This book managed to imbue in me a deep respect and admiration for the New York mayor, one I'm positive the author shared. I continually found myself reading aloud passages of the book to my friends (who couldn't have cared less). As far as biographies go, I couldn't say for sure that it manages to portray both lights of LaGuardia completely, but it was completely engrossing, entertaining, and vividly written. Never before has a biography been as enjoyable a read as this. If you want a good sense of LaGuardia's spirit, this is the book for you.

It's Not History, But It's A Great Read

"The Power Broker" is often compared to this book, with this book coming out of the comparison as inferior. The comparison is completely understandable. Similarities: 1. It's about New York 2. It's about the depression/WW II era 3. It's about very strong central figures One book is hundreds of pages long and carries scads of bibliographic references. And, it's written by a respected New York historian - Robert Caro. This book is shorter and has more pictures. It appears that Jeffers and Caro approached their work from very, very different perspectives. Jeffers' angle was more journalistic. And it was effective within that definition: what might be criticized as a lack of historical detail is balanced by a vivid and fun writing style. The moods of 'the LaGuardia era' are captured with complete satisfaction and, to me, blessed brevity. I had a lot of fun reading this book; it satisfied my desire for a picture of a very, very charismatic and colorful "character." It is not, though, great history. If you want more details, I suppose we're now looking at a more primary source: LaGuardia's own writings, which Jeffers characterizes as self-serving. I can't comment since I have not read them. But Jeffers does not fawn over LaGuardia, and I enjoyed the ride...

Little man, big accomlishments

Part Italian, part Eastern-European Jew, Fiorello LaGuardia was the appropriate mayor at a time of peak immigrant population in New York. But to acknowledge his popularity on this basis alone is very wrong-minded. "The Napoleon of New York: Mayor Fiorello LaGuardia" by H. Paul Jeffers, while not an extensive, exhaustive biography, goes to great pains to make us understand why the Little Flower has achieved mythic proportions in New York's and America's history books. His remarkable achievements, his pit-bull tenacity, and his Herculean ability to face down the pugnancious Robert Moses, all exhibit LaGuardia's unlimited energy, and his all-encompassing love for his city. Coming to City Hall during a record-setting unemployment level and disastrous budgets, LaGuardia faced seemingly insurmountable difficulties the minute he sat behind his desk. As Jeffers rightly demonstrates, this diminutive man would not be daunted or intimidated by any group, government agency, or persons of power when prosecuting his agenda. He personally was responsible for funnelling tons of federal money to the city during the Great Depression. He created jobs on one hand, while eliminating the patronage positions held by the hated Tammany machine. No small task. This is but one example that this book explores. There are dozens of others. Pick up "The Napoleon of New York: Mayor Fiorello LaGuardia" and learn more about this truly amazing New Yorker.

Good Popular Biography

Paul Jeffers is a master of the popular biography, and he has produced another laudable work in this genre with this chronicle of Fiorello LaGuardia. I approached this book with only a cursory knowledge of LaGuardia, but came away with an enriched understanding of the Little Flower's far-reaching influence on New York City. I was struck repeatedly by the parallels between LaGuardia and another successful, highly influential Mayor, Giuliani. Both wielded absolute power ("dictatorial," to their detractors), did not brook dissent easily, ran as anti-machine reformers (barely gaining office initially but subsequently amassing larger majorities), assailed corruption and malfeasance, and left New York City a markedly better place than they found it.By his own admission, Jeffers's is NOT the definitive LaGuardia biography. He writes with broad brushstrokes, painting a colorful, big-picture portrait, and avoiding the pitfalls of needless minutae. Jeffers also has a talent for placing his subjects in the context of history. (To wit: LaGuardia spent his formative years in Prescott, Arizona, whose Mayor was the famous Bucky O'Neill of the "Rough Riders" lore. During the Spanish-American War, young LaGuardia was a stringer for a St. Louis newspaper, where he was in the company of such legendary war correspondents as Richard Harding Davis and Stephen Crane.)As a result of this style, all of Jeffers's biographies are entertaining, easy to read, and provide a succinct overview to laypersons with a passion for history. If you fit that description, "The Napoleon of New York" is for you.

The Napoleon of New York

Fiorello LaGuardia was an amazing character. He was loved and hated depending on who you asked, but one thing is for sure- he did great things for the city of New York. This biography explores his immigrant roots, his rise to power, and his quest for revitalizing New York. A tough politician indeed, but one who brought greatness and glory to his city.