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

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.

A quick and compelling read on a fascinating figure in NY history. A great biography that helps conceptualist and contextualize a 20th century figure whose legacy is still very relevant today.

I Never Did Like Politics is a great look at the legacy of Mayor LaGuardia and the impact himself and other immigrants have had on not just New York but America itself.

I was so glad to see a book be released on this man - a fascinating character in New York politics who I haven't seen featured in a book before.

I've read bits and pieces about Mr. Laguardia, but never an entire book. This was an excellent read about a wonderful though totally misunderstood man.