Rostenkowski: The Pursuit of Power and the End of the Old Politics

(Paperback)

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Description

This scrupulous political biography of Dan Rostenkowski follows his rise to power from modest origins in the Democratic ward politics of Chicago's Polish northwest side, through his national legislative triumphs, and ultimately to his criminal conviction and imprisonment for abuses of House practice. But the story offers much more than Rostenkowski's personal tragedy: it's a tale of the transformation of American political life, and of the fall of old-fashioned congressional politics. An insider's story. Anybody wanting to understand Congress and its place in American politics should read it. Jim Wright. Masterful...not just a book on Rostenkowski; Cohen has spun the tale of the entire modern period of Congress. Larry Sabato

Reviews

Cohen has written a compelling and insightful biography that does justice to his significant legislator. -- Norman Ornstein
An authoritative and balanced study. -- Steve Neal * Chicago Sun-Times *
Masterful...not just a book on Rostenkowski; Cohen has spun the tale of the entire modern period of Congress. -- Larry Sabato, Author of Feeding Frenzy and Dirty Little Secrets
Witty and riveting...a lesson in how politics really works. -- Clarence Page * Chicago Tribune *
A legislative biography with a knowing eye. -- Robin Toner * The New York Times *
A valuable contribution to public understanding...an insider's story. -- Jim Wright, Former Speaker of the House
An important, revealing, anecdote-laden biography...written by an enormously gifted journalist. -- Charles Lewis * Washington Monthly *

Author Bio

For more than twenty years Richard E. Cohen has reported on Congress for the National Journal, a nonpartisan magazine located in Washington, D.C. A winner of the Dirksen Prize for distinguished reporting on Congress, he has also written Washington at Work and Changing Course in Washington: Clinton and the New Congress.