Mayor Harold Washington
Champion of Race and Reform in Chicago
by Roger Biles
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Pub Date Jun 15 2018 | Archive Date Jun 08 2018
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Description
Raised in a political family on Chicago's South Side, Harold Washington made history as the city's first African American mayor. His 1983 electoral triumph, fueled by overwhelming black support, represented victory over the Chicago Machine and business as usual. Yet the racially charged campaign heralded an era of bitter political divisiveness that obstructed his efforts to change city government.
Roger Biles's sweeping biography provides a definitive account of Washington and his journey from the state legislature to the mayoralty. Once in City Hall, Washington confronted the backroom deals, aldermanic thuggery, open corruption, and palm greasing that fueled the city's autocratic political regime. His alternative: a vision of fairness, transparency, neighborhood empowerment, and balanced economic growth at one with his emergence as a dynamic champion for African American uplift and a crusader for progressive causes. Biles charts the countless infamies of the Council Wars era and Washington's own growth through his winning of a second term—a promise of lasting reform left unfulfilled when the mayor died in 1987.
Original and authoritative, Mayor Harold Washington redefines a pivotal era in Chicago's modern history.
Roger Biles is Professor Emeritus of History at Illinois State University. His books include Richard J. Daley: Politics, Race, and the Governing of Chicago and The Fate of Cities: Urban America and the Federal Government, 1945-2000.
Advance Praise
"This is a must read for all who seek valuable insight into Mayor Harold Washington—the man, his administration and the power struggle that accompanied the election of Chicago's first African American mayor."--David Orr
"The master biographer of Illinois politicians provides the definitive account of Chicago’s first black mayor. Rooted deeply in the historical context, Roger Biles demonstrates how Harold Washington’s neighborhood agenda balanced social change with municipal housekeeping. Biles lifts Washington out of the morass of the Council Wars and reveals him as canny and substantive, flawed and private, deft and tragic."--Amanda I. Seligman, author of Chicago’s Block Clubs: How Neighbors Shape the City
Available Editions
| EDITION | Hardcover |
| ISBN | 9780252041853 |
| PRICE | $34.95 (USD) |
| PAGES | 408 |
Links
Featured Reviews
Douglas O, Reviewer
This is a detailed and important piece of historical writing. The election of Chicago's first black mayor was by no means predictable but was of immense importance in state history. This has been well researched and is written without favour to any side,just recounted no and evaluating important events. It is very detailed and for that reason may be more suited to students of the period,other scholars or,of course, those interested in the growth of their home city.
Cristie U, Book Trade Professional
The author of this book vividly lays out what it was like to be the first African American Mayor of Chicago and the power struggles that ensued after he was elected. This is definitely a book that should be read in schools, as Mayor Washington handled the blatant racism directed his way in such a mature and professional manner.
Ben G, Media/Journalist
One cannot understand the history of the United States without heroic stories of African-Americans. United States was built by African-Americans even to the greater extend than by descendants of European immigrants. Their sufferings, failures and successes shaped America. The author and publisher should be commanded with the decision to make available this indispensable book.
David C, Reviewer
Wonderful biography of the most important American mayor of the late 20th century. Harold Washington was a Chicago original--a man who commanded the respect of the average citizen because he broke barriers and was well on his way into confronting and breaking up the Chicago political machine. He was the first mayor to *truly* be like the people he represented. This wonderful biography finally gives the late Mayor Washington his due.
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