We Don't Want Nobody Nobody Sent: An Oral History of the Daley Years

by Milton L. Rakove

Dust cover is worn. Overall good condition. Ships in one business day. Great customer service!!

404 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1920

Reviews

[Mary Lu · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great oral history from people who had relations with Mayor Richard J. Daley, who served as Mayor of Chicago for more than 20 years. He built a political machine that was powerful and effective, although it mostly helped people who agreed to vote for the machine candidates who ran for office. He also had a terrible record with race relations.

This book was published a couple of years after Daley died of a heart attack. At least one of the interviews occurred before Daley died. I suspect people did not to speak too ill of the dead, because while the look into Chicago’s history from the people who lived it is awesome, it was not as critical of Daley as it could have been. Even his opponents and critics who were interviewed decided against really getting to the substance and breadth of his work. The focus was on how effective the machine was (for some) and how extraordinary Daley was as a politician.

I balance reading this with reading “Boss” by Mike Royko. A more honest assessment of Daley’s reign.

[B · Rating 3 out of 5]

Too repetitive.

Each chapter runs something like "I'm a member of such and such an ethnic group. I first started getting involved in politics locally and now I do a lot more. [Story about someone you know if paid close attention to Chicago politics in the 1950s and 1960s.] Mayor Daley might not be perfect but he is the greatest mayor of Chicago. I'm content with the current job I have."

[Jamiko · Rating 4 out of 5]

This still holds true today. Another important read for Chicago political historians.