Tammany Hall Tells All: Insider Reveals How He Stole From the Government
About this audiobook
Originally entitled Plunkitt of Tammany Hall (1905) is a classic of American political literature that records the candid, “plain talks” of George Washington Plunkitt, a powerful leader within New York City’s Tammany Hall political machine. Compiled by journalist William L. Riordon, the book is famous for its unapologetic defense of machine politics and its pragmatic “streetwise” philosophy. It’s a guide for how to steal money by manipulating the political machinery.
Plunkitt’s most enduring contribution to political discourse is his distinction between “honest graft” and “dishonest graft,”
Honest Graft: Plunkitt defined this as using insider political information to make legal profits. His famous example was buying land he knew the city would soon need for a park or bridge, then selling it back at an inflated price—a practice he summed up with his (in)famous motto:
“I seen my opportunities and I took ‘em.”
Dishonest Graft: He strictly condemned illegal activities such as blackmailing saloonkeepers, working with gamblers, or robbing the city treasury directly.
About the author
George Washington Plunkitt (1842–1924) was a longtime New York City politician and one of the most colorful figures associated with Tammany Hall, the Democratic Party machine that dominated city politics in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. He was known less for legislative achievements and more for his influence and ability to deliver votes. His nemesis was the advent of the Civil Service Exams which limited his freedom to dispense city jobs at his pleasure and convenience.
Peter Lerman is an Earphones Award–winning narrator with over 200 titles to his credit. He specializes in nonfiction: Biography, History, Politics, and Government, Medicine, Law, Technology. A native of New York City (Brooklyn to be specific) these characters and this subject matter is close to his heart. He walked these streets.
