This book provides a very informative view of Chicago politics. I knew some of the big players but it also provided the backstory too. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this one. I would definitely recommend this book to others.

Former Chicago alderman Dick Simpson has written an informative look at politics today, with a particular focus on the City of Chicago, and how the problems of today could be fixed. He does a good job balancing the practical and the theoretical and offers a number of appealing solutions.

Simpson's writing style is a bit dry and academic but, if you can get past that, this is an interesting book with plenty of food for thought.

DEMOCRACY'S REBIRTH by Dick Simpson contains a foreword by Mayor Lori Lightfoot and includes a particular focus on Chicago. Simpson, a professor, at the University of Illinois at Chicago, and a former Chicago alderman and congressional candidate, offers a unique insider perspective combined with an historical overview. He delves into discussions around systemic racism, money in politics, voter participation, polarization, gerrymandering, corruption, and machine politics. Overall, this text felt a bit dense for our students, but the bullet points and lists of suggested actions near the end could be useful discussion starters. Simpson includes photos, maps, drawings, extensive notes, and an index. I am now curious to see some of his other collaborative texts, particularly Teaching Civic Engagement.