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Gustavus Myers' 'The History of Tammany Hall' is a detailed and scholarly account of the notorious political machine that dominated New York City for over a century. Myers meticulously traces the rise of Tammany Hall from its early days as a benevolent society to its reputation for corruption and influence-peddling. The book is written in a straightforward and informative style, making it accessible to both scholars and general readers interested in the history of American politics. Myers provides a comprehensive analysis of the key figures, scandals, and political maneuverings that characterized Tammany Hall, shedding light on its impact on the city and the nation as a whole. The book also explores the broader implications of Tammany Hall's legacy on modern-day politics and government. Gustavus Myers, a journalist and historian, was inspired to write this book by his deep interest in uncovering the truth behind the myths and legends surrounding Tammany Hall. His meticulous research and critical analysis make 'The History of Tammany Hall' a must-read for anyone seeking to understand the complex interplay between power, corruption, and democracy in American history.

What should we make of the outsized role organized crime plays in conflict and crisis, from drug wars in Mexico to human smuggling in North Africa, from the struggle in Crimea to scandals in Kabul? How can we deal with the convergence of politics and crime in so-called 'mafia states' such as Guinea-Bissau, North Korea or, as some argue, Russia? Drawing on unpublished government documents and mafia memoirs, James Cockayne discovers the strategic logic of organized crime, hidden in a century of forgotten political--criminal collaboration in New York, Sicily and the Caribbean. He reveals states and mafias competing - and collaborating -- in a competition for governmental power. He discovers mafias influencing elections, changing constitutions, organizing domestic insurgencies and transnational terrorism, negotiating peace deals, and forming governmental joint ventures with ruling groups. And he sees mafias working with the US government to spy on American citizens, catch Nazis, try to assassinate Fidel Castro, invade and govern Sicily, and playing unappreciated roles in the Bay of Pigs fiasco and the Cuban Missile Crisis.

A good local history is an excellent and agreeable thing. It pleases on two counts. It satisfies the curiosity of the inhabitants of a region, whether newcomers or old settlers, especially if no adequate history had existed before. It dispels myths, corrects old wives' tales. And, if the history is first-rate, it goes beyond a factual account of persons and places, the particularities of a region, and shows the significance of these human happenings in a larger scheme of things, in this case the emergence of a new nation. Ellis's history succeeds on both counts. It is a delightful and authoritative account of lore which not even St. Tammanyites may have heard of. Did you know, for example, that there was once a flourishing wine industry in St. Tammany Parish? That local vineyards produced excellent red and white wines, the red from Concord grapes, the white from Herbemont? Did you know that in 1891 a rice crop of 50,000 barrels was harvested, half the entire output of South Carolina? . . . Ellis has rendered this pleasant and authoritative history in a graceful and lively style and with a genuine affection for the people he writes about. Walker Percy From the Foreword

James K. McGuire is often overlooked as a key figure of Irish nationalist politics, yet the issue defined his life for over three decades. As the title implies, he had multiple careers, each overlapping the others.

The story of the relationship of Franklin Delano Roosevelt with Tammany Hall of New York has never been completely told. FDR's dealings with the New York machine have received piecemeal treatment in numerous monographs and histories that record his life. In addition, there is a scholarly bias against connecting prominent leaders in society to the mundane political clubs and organizations that keep the wheels of the party turning and get out the vote. Rather, the study of politics is dominated by a perspective that emphasizes the macrocosmic aspects of the phenomenon. Good government advocates, such as Roosevelt, are supposed to be above contact with local machines which are known to be corrupt. In truth, Roosevelt had a very intricate and profound connection to Tammany Hall that lasted over thirty years, whether he was in or out of office. The author tells the complete story of how FDR and Tammany Hall worked out a modus vivendi.

In this outstanding historical reader, the editor has gathered nine essays and over thirty primary documents to present a coherent picture of the history of American religion.