Biography

I Never Did Like Politics: How Fiorello La Guardia Became America's Mayor, and Why He Still Matters

I Never Did Like Politics: How Fiorello La Guardia Became America's Mayor, and Why He Still Matters

  • Downloads：7302
  • Type：Epub+TxT+PDF+Mobi
  • Create Date：2024-02-21 13:21:50
  • Update Date：2025-09-07
  • Status：finish
  • Author：Terry Golway
  • ISBN：B0C1X7GK3T
  • Environment：PC/Android/iPhone/iPad/Kindle

Reviews

Tawney ，

My mother was a fan of LaGuardia。 After reading this book I can see why。 Throughout his career he had a tendency to take matters into his own hands when thwarted by bureaucracy and he could usually pull it off。 He firmly and combatively fought for what he believed was right， not towing to a party line。 His government service was extensive but it was as mayor of New York City that he gained renown。 This book is full of Fiorello stories that seem made for the movies。 They are delightful while also My mother was a fan of LaGuardia。 After reading this book I can see why。 Throughout his career he had a tendency to take matters into his own hands when thwarted by bureaucracy and he could usually pull it off。 He firmly and combatively fought for what he believed was right， not towing to a party line。 His government service was extensive but it was as mayor of New York City that he gained renown。 This book is full of Fiorello stories that seem made for the movies。 They are delightful while also portraying a man who cared about his constituents and also had vision for the future。 AlthoughTerry Golway’s biography of LaGuardia does point out some of his weaknesses and faults， at times seems nearly hagiographic。 That might be what an author does when the subject is a Good Guy。I received a digital advanced readers copy compliments of St。 Martin's Press and Netgalley。 。。。more

Stephanie P ，

Thanks to NetGalley， Terry Golway， and St。 Martin's Press for allowing me to read an advanced copy of I Never Did Like Politics。 I received an advanced reader copy for free and I am leaving this review voluntarily。 I wanted to read this book because my mother's family is related to Fiorello LaGuardia and I wanted to understand more about who he was as a person。 He is well known as being the best mayor that New York has ever had。 Was he a perfect human？ No， but who really is？ It is important that Thanks to NetGalley， Terry Golway， and St。 Martin's Press for allowing me to read an advanced copy of I Never Did Like Politics。 I received an advanced reader copy for free and I am leaving this review voluntarily。 I wanted to read this book because my mother's family is related to Fiorello LaGuardia and I wanted to understand more about who he was as a person。 He is well known as being the best mayor that New York has ever had。 Was he a perfect human？ No， but who really is？ It is important that he grew as a person and grew in his political beliefs。 He believed in social justice and equality。 The author took the time to do a lot of thorough research， but the inclusion of how LaGuardia would be as a politician in today's times felt a little too opinionated and felt more biased than how a nonfiction piece should be presented。 。。。more

Jack Reidy ，

I Never Did Like PoliticsPosted on February 17， 2024 by JackBoth my parents grew up in New York City while Fiorello La Guardia was mayor。 I can remember them talking about Mayor La Guardia when I was growing up。 He seemed interesting but I never got around to learning much more about him。 This book fixed that problem。The book is “I Never Did Like Politics: How Fiorello La Guardia Became America’s Mayor， and Why He Still Matters” by Terry Golway。I enjoyed the book and learned a good bit。 It was n I Never Did Like PoliticsPosted on February 17， 2024 by JackBoth my parents grew up in New York City while Fiorello La Guardia was mayor。 I can remember them talking about Mayor La Guardia when I was growing up。 He seemed interesting but I never got around to learning much more about him。 This book fixed that problem。The book is “I Never Did Like Politics: How Fiorello La Guardia Became America’s Mayor， and Why He Still Matters” by Terry Golway。I enjoyed the book and learned a good bit。 It was not what I consider the typical biography。 It is fairly brief on what some would consider biographical details。 But by focusing on specific areas， it gave a real understanding of the character of this unusual and fascinating leader as well as the times。I thank Netgalley and St Martin’s Press for an ARC in exchange for an honest review。 The book is scheduled to be published on February 20。The book is highly readable， relevant to our times， and highly recommended。 。。。more

Doreen Prentiss Gabriellini ，

I Never Did Like Politics: How Fiorello LaGuardia Became America’s Mayor and Why He Still Matters Today by Terry Golway。 While I grew up in New York State， I only knew a handful of things about Fiorello LaGuardia。 In reading this book I learned so much more about this man。 The book is easy to understand and is broken down into chapters that discuss different periods of time in Mayor LaGuardia’s life。 Fiorello LaGuardia was a three term Mayor of New York City。 He was also a United States Represen I Never Did Like Politics: How Fiorello LaGuardia Became America’s Mayor and Why He Still Matters Today by Terry Golway。 While I grew up in New York State， I only knew a handful of things about Fiorello LaGuardia。 In reading this book I learned so much more about this man。 The book is easy to understand and is broken down into chapters that discuss different periods of time in Mayor LaGuardia’s life。 Fiorello LaGuardia was a three term Mayor of New York City。 He was also a United States Representative who left Washington in order to serve his Country during World War I。 It was his idea to build the airport in Queens which is now named after him。 He wanted to make New York City a hub for travel。 He was unapologetically an American Patriot。 He was also known as a man who didn’t mince words and you either liked him or you didn’t。 My only complaint was that Mr。 Golway veered off his topic somewhat。 He started comparing and contrasting Mayor LaGuardia’s ideals with the issues we are facing in the political arena today。 I understand that the title implies that the author would tell us why Mayor LaGuardia would be a good example for the politicians today。 It seems to me that Mr。 Golway was pushing his own political ideology。 I however did not let it to deter me from finishing the book。 I am sure many people will be upset by this。 I just jumped over the parts that were opinionated and moved along。 I think a book just about Fiorello LaGuardia would have lead a lot of readers to wish his ideals were in effect today。 I would like to thank St。 Martin's Press for the ARC in exchange for an honest review。 。。。more

Denice Langley ，

This is not just a biography of a colorful figure in American politics。 It's a defining picture of of an era in American history。 The mayor of New York City has always had a prominenet role in the world view of America but Fiorella La Guardia was a king of his piece of the world。 His story is both eye opening and entertaining。 This is not just a biography of a colorful figure in American politics。 It's a defining picture of of an era in American history。 The mayor of New York City has always had a prominenet role in the world view of America but Fiorella La Guardia was a king of his piece of the world。 His story is both eye opening and entertaining。 。。。more

Mima。 ，

I’m reading a book about a politician from decades ago， so why am I noticing jabs at Trump slipping in？ I’m not reading the book for the writers current political opinions， I’m reading it to learn about La Guardia。

Lisa Konet ，

This was a a quick， witty， concise and entertaining read about Fiorello La Guardia and why he so important not only in New York state history， but also US History。 Each chapter had more information about his background， struggles and triumphs。 An enjoyable book about someone who became a well-known politician but he was not about politics first， but helping people。Thanks to Netgalley， Terry Golway and St Martin's Press for an ARC in exchange for an honest review。Available: 2/20/2024 This was a a quick， witty， concise and entertaining read about Fiorello La Guardia and why he so important not only in New York state history， but also US History。 Each chapter had more information about his background， struggles and triumphs。 An enjoyable book about someone who became a well-known politician but he was not about politics first， but helping people。Thanks to Netgalley， Terry Golway and St Martin's Press for an ARC in exchange for an honest review。Available: 2/20/2024 。。。more

Anna ，

I knew practically nothing about Fiorello LaGuardia going into this book。 I knew that he was a famous New York City mayor and now has an airport named after him。 Through this very readable book， I learned that he was so much more。 The airport is named after him， partially because he is the reason New York City is a hub for air travel。 He was not only a mayor but an international diplomat and US Representative。 I really enjoyed reading this book。 It was simply written and easy to understand。 Each I knew practically nothing about Fiorello LaGuardia going into this book。 I knew that he was a famous New York City mayor and now has an airport named after him。 Through this very readable book， I learned that he was so much more。 The airport is named after him， partially because he is the reason New York City is a hub for air travel。 He was not only a mayor but an international diplomat and US Representative。 I really enjoyed reading this book。 It was simply written and easy to understand。 Each chapter focused on another facet of LaGuardia's life， communicating who he was through short stories that exemplified his personality or career。 It was a very enjoyable read， and I'm glad I now know more about "America's Mayor"。Thank you to St。 Martin's Press for this ARC in exchange for my honest review！ 。。。more

Nan Williams ，

This began as a delightful look at one of America's most colorful men in politics。 I really enjoyed learning more about La Guardia and for a while enjoyed learning how closely aligned his concerns were with the concerns of many people today。After I got into the book， I realized that once he started comparing and contrasting LaGuardia's ideals with today's political atmosphere， Golway was merely tauting his own political （or cultural） agenda and went far afield of his established purpose in writi This began as a delightful look at one of America's most colorful men in politics。 I really enjoyed learning more about La Guardia and for a while enjoyed learning how closely aligned his concerns were with the concerns of many people today。After I got into the book， I realized that once he started comparing and contrasting LaGuardia's ideals with today's political atmosphere， Golway was merely tauting his own political （or cultural） agenda and went far afield of his established purpose in writing the book。 And at that point， he lost me and I lost interest。The beginning is excellent， the development is intriguing， but once the author starts preaching， the whole book declines。I appreciate this ARC from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest and unbiased review。 。。。more

Roger ，

Although I received notice that I was one of the winners， much to my dissapointment I never did receive my copy。

Lucinda Meyd ，

I remember Fiorello LaGuardia。Interesting bits of history

Nancy ，

Sure， I knew the name。 La Guardia。 It was an airport。 Ok， I recall hearing about the Little Flower here and there。 Oh， and he was connected to New York City。 So I was in for a big surprise reading this biography。 It was such a fun， upbeat read， and I was impressed by this rumpled man’s character and career。 I even got misty eyed reading about some of his amazing accomplishments。He was a diplomat， congressman， major in the army， and had a popular radio show。 He stood up to Tammany Hall and crosse Sure， I knew the name。 La Guardia。 It was an airport。 Ok， I recall hearing about the Little Flower here and there。 Oh， and he was connected to New York City。 So I was in for a big surprise reading this biography。 It was such a fun， upbeat read， and I was impressed by this rumpled man’s character and career。 I even got misty eyed reading about some of his amazing accomplishments。He was a diplomat， congressman， major in the army， and had a popular radio show。 He stood up to Tammany Hall and crossed party lines， focused on what was right for the people。 He was instrumental in the creation of the Fair Employment Practices Committee to fight racial discrimination。 Advocated for American relief efforts for European refugees。Most of all， La Guardia is a role model for the non-political government leader。 He had an oversized trust in his own moral compass。 He saw what was right and what was needed and he determined to just do it。Everything La Guardia stood for still matters。 Leadership for the good of the people。 A deep hearted love for justice and equality。 Staying true to one’s values and beliefs。 We needed this kind of leadership in the 20th c， and we sure need it today。Thanks to the publisher for an ARC。 。。。more

Jane ，

I Never Did Like Politics。 Terry Golway has written an interesting and informative biography about Fiorello LaGuardia that reads like a love letter to the man many consider the greatest mayor NYC ever had。 Born to Italian immigrants， Fiorello was a fierce American patriot who “made it his life’s mission to replace despair with patience， hopelessness with fortitude。” Although a member of Congress he still signed up to serve his country as a pilot during WWI。 As the mayor of NYC during the depress I Never Did Like Politics。 Terry Golway has written an interesting and informative biography about Fiorello LaGuardia that reads like a love letter to the man many consider the greatest mayor NYC ever had。 Born to Italian immigrants， Fiorello was a fierce American patriot who “made it his life’s mission to replace despair with patience， hopelessness with fortitude。” Although a member of Congress he still signed up to serve his country as a pilot during WWI。 As the mayor of NYC during the depression and WWII his friendship with Franklin Roosevelt was financially very beneficial to the city。 I was excited to be given an ARC because until reading the book my knowledge of LaGuardia was confined to the musical and that an airport bears his name。 My review is voluntary。 Highly recommend。 。。。more

Kristina ，

A quick and compelling read on a fascinating figure in New York history。 Thanks to publisher for my ARC。

Luella ，

For the reader interested in this genre， they will appreciate this book and all it's info。。。 it was a little confusing to me as it jumped around a bit and I struggled to stay focused。 Thank you for the opportunity to read this book。 For the reader interested in this genre， they will appreciate this book and all it's info。。。 it was a little confusing to me as it jumped around a bit and I struggled to stay focused。 Thank you for the opportunity to read this book。 。。。more