Boss Tweed: Corrupt Politician of New York by Kenneth D. Ackerman | Book Club

Associated fiction book, A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith, event on 05/14/2022:
[https://www.meetup.com/Inquiry-Non-Fiction-Book-Club-for-Inquiring-Minds/events/284442467 ](https://www.meetup.com/Inquiry-Non-Fiction-Book-Club-for-Inquiring-Minds/events/284442467)

Reading the fiction book is optional for this event, but can add an additional opportunity to learn and talk about the topic.

Full Title: Boss Tweed: The Rise and Fall of the Corrupt Pol Who Conceived the Soul of Modern New York
Author: Kenneth D. Ackerman

This book was suggested by Martha

Pages to read: 361

ISBN: 9780786716869 (Originally listed edition)
ISBN: 9781619450028 (Edition I am Using)

While reading the book, consider the below questions:
•What is the raison d’etre of the book? For what purpose did the author write the book?
•What are some limitations of the book?
•Who was William Tweed and what is Tweed known for?
•What is Tweed’s background before politics?
•How did Tweed rise to be a favored politician?
•What did people think about public corruption during the time?
•How did Tweed hold on to power?
•How was Tweed able to obtain the public money, and what was it used for?
•What caused the fall of the Tweed Ring?
•Who are the people responsible for the fall of Tweed?
•After being caught, how did Tweed perceive what Tweed did?
•What was New York’s view on the American Civil War?
•How were New York election held?

Your questions are important and will take priority. If you have questions about the book's content or related ideas, either let me know what your questions are or raise them during the discussion.

My review of the book:
https://www.inquiryreviews.com/2022/03/review-of-boss-tweed-corrupt-pol-who.html

Upcoming event:
https://www.meetup.com/Inquiry-Non-Fiction-Book-Club-for-Inquiring-Minds/events/

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Summary from Goodreads:
Among the monumental characters who ascended to impossible renown and influence in the history of American politics, few are more fascinating than Boss Tweed; and few working historians could record in more vivid detail his astonishing career than Kenneth D. Ackerman—an investigative historian of the first order. Ackerman's vibrant, accessible, and altogether captivating Boss Tweed is a biography of the legendary figure who "bribed the state legislature, fixed elections, skimmed money from city contractors, and diverted public funds on a massive scale." During his reign at Tammany Hall and then in a variety of elected posts, including as U.S. senator, Tweed wielded almost total control over New York State and City politics, before his unparalleled zealotry and remorseless disregard for the law led to his imprisonment. Yet, as the author shows, Tweed's positive political contributions have been largely overlooked. From one of the most talented new historians to have emerged in recent years, this book presents a thrilling story of the master manipulator who tried to make all of New York the instrument of his own ruthless ambitions, and succeeded—for a time. More than sixty photos and political cartoons by Thomas Nast are featured throughout.