The Last Days of New York: a reporter's true tale

by Seth Barron, Heather Mac Donald (Foreword)

"Barron cuts through the noise and provides a devastating account of a city’s decline under the delusional leadership of socialists and con men.” — GREG KELLY, host of Newsmax Greg Kelly Reports THE LAST DAYS OF NEW A Reporter's True Tale tells the story of how a corrupted political system hollowed out New York City, leaving it especially vulnerable, all in the name of equity and “fairness.” When, in the future, people ask how New York City fell to pieces, they can be told—quoting Hemingway—“gradually, then suddenly.” New Yorkers awoke from a slumber of ease and prosperity to discover that their glorious city was not only unprepared for crisis, but that the underpinnings of its fortune had been gutted by the reckless mismanagement of Bill de Blasio and the progressive political machine that elevated him to power. Faced with a global pandemic of world-historical proportions, the mayor dithered, offering contradictory, unscientific, and meaningless advice. The city became the world’s epicenter of infection and death. The protests, riots, and looting that followed the death of George Floyd, and the resurgence of the Black Lives Matter movement—cheered on and celebrated by the media and political class—accelerated the crash of confidence that New York City needed in order to rebound quickly from the economic disaster. Through reckless financial husbandry; by sowing racial discord and resentment; by enshrining a corrosive pay-to-play political culture that turned City Hall into a ticket office; and by using his office as a platform to advance himself as a national political figure, Bill de Blasio set the stage for the ruin of New York City. He has left the city vulnerable to the social, economic, and cultural shocks that have leveled its confidence and brought into question its capacity to absorb the creative energies of the world, and reflect them back in the form of opportunity and wealth, as it has done for hundreds of years. As New Yorkers slowly adjust to their new reality, they ask themselves how we had been so unprepared—not so much for the coronavirus, which caught everyone by surprise—but for the economic shock, which was at least foreseeable. THE LAST DAYS OF NEW YORK is the story of how a lifelong political operative with no private-sector experience assumed control of a one-party city where almost nobody bothers to vote, and then proceeded to loot the treasury on behalf of the labor unions, race hustlers, and connected insiders who had promoted him to power. Bill de Blasio’s term in office in New York City is a demonstration of what those impulses actually debt, decay, and bloat. THE LAST DAYS OF NEW A Reporter's True Tale is a history of New York City from its recovery from the recession of 2008-2009 through the triple disaster of the pandemic, civil unrest, and collapse in revenue of 2020. Mayor Bill de Blasio, now widely appreciated as the WORST mayor in the history of the city, is presented as the instrument of a key symptom of the rot that expedited the city’s downfall.

Genres: Politics, Nonfiction, History

304 pages, Hardcover

Published June 1, 2021

About the author

Seth Barron is a New York City-based reporter and editor who has covered local politics closely for more than ten years. Associate editor of urban policy at City Journal, a publication of the Manhattan Institute, Barron is a widely read columnist and reporter on politics and issues in New York City. Barron became intimately familiar with the ins and outs of New York City politics through his City Council Watch blog, and then worked in City Hall as legislative director for a council member from Queens. His work has appeared in the New York Post, New York Daily News, and the Wall Street Journal. He frequently appears on a range of local and national television and radio programs, including Tucker Carlson Tonight on Fox News, as a commentator on NYC issues. The author lives & works in the New York City metro area.

Reviews

[Natalie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Seth Barron's "The Last Days of New York: a reporter's true tale of how a city died" is not only a must-read for New Yorkers, but also should be read by anyone who has ever loved New York City. The book focuses on how the complete ineptitude of Mayor DeBlasio has ruined New York. This book is not full of generalities; rather, irrefutable examples are offered to support every proposition set forth by Barron. The book also explores other forces (NYC City Council, etc) that have been complicit with DeBlasio in enacting policies that have lowered the quality of life for New Yorkers and caused serious damage to NYC.

As someone who loves New York, I was both saddened and enraged by this book, because the problems it details are becoming so entrenched that the city may never recover. Hope that this book will lead to action by all of those who feel similarly.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an e-galley in exchange for an honest review.

[Karen Radford · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book has been written by Seth Baron, a journalist who has lived and worked in New York and is involved in politics on a grass roots level having worked at City Hall, as well as writing a blog ‘City Council Watch’. His book is a history of New York City covering the period from the recession of 2008-2009 right through to the triple threat of the global pandemic, civil unrest following the death of George Floyd, and the financial collapse of revenue in 2020. The author declaims Mayor Bill de Blasio as the worst Mayor in New York’s history and a key protagonist in the city’s decline.
I found this book to be fascinating and give a real insight into the local political system which is so drastically different in America to the UK. I found it eye opening that a Mayor could have such a profound and dramatic impact on the lives of the inhabitants of the city. It’s an easy and informative read, and the author has a relaxed style which makes some of the content even more disturbing in terms of the violence and the anecdote at the end about the guy with the crossbow makes you seriously concerned about the care available for those with mental health issues.
The alphabetical index at the end of the book is a particularly useful reference feature.
Well worth a read.
Huge thanks to NetGalley and Humanix Publishing for the e-arc in return for an honest review.

[Mike Gulezian · Rating 5 out of 5]

“There is a common assumption that Bill de Blasio was a failure as mayor. But that’s a question of perspective. What was elected to do and by whom? If you were a city employee he expanded your workforce, rewarded you with good contracts, and protected your job. If you run a political consultancy, he enriched you. If you work for an activist nonprofit organization, he supported you. If you were a hard left activist or aspiring politician, he gave you a pivot to swing the city further left, because he didn’t. He’s only a failure by the standards of the 90% of the city who want to have a livable city with economic opportunity, good schools, and safe streets. And if you’re in that group, well, you’re out of luck, because it not clear that you matter.”

Seth Barron’s The Last Days of New York is the most concise and articulate analysis of everything wrong with New York City. From shamelessly and deliberately inciting racial tension, to spending every penny of the city’s resources and then some, to openly accepting bribes and running a fake presidential campaign to keep the money flowing in, Barron leaves no question that Bill de Blasio is the worst mayor New York has ever had. I hope more New Yorkers will read this book, and think carefully before voting in more of the same destructive policies that are ruining this great city.

[Caroline · Rating 3 out of 5]

The author is an American journalist living in NYC who through his work especially at the City Hall got a really good insight of the city's political decisions and how they impact people's lives.

This book was very interesting, as it presented quite shocking examples (particularly about mental health and races issues) with a very factual, detached tone.
As a Non-American, it's quite complicated to grasp how things work in the USA, particularly politics, and in my opinion Seth Barron did a good job to make it understandable (even if I get it that things are not done the same way in NYC than in Boston or Los Angeles). At least it's a glimpse of what is going on in one of the most famous cities in the world... and it's scary.

Thank you to Netgalley for providing an eArc in exchange of an honest review.

[Jeff G · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a well researched and written presentation on the political elite that make up New York politics. The implications on the people that live here are heavily influenced by elites. While the book primarily targets elites such as Bill DeBlasio and Jumaane Williams, it presents counter arguments and view points to their most repeated claims and shines light on real world consequences to their gaslighting and championing of bad policies.

I would love for a follow up to this book. Especially after this next election in the fall as we enter a new era in city and state politics.

[Vader · Rating 4 out of 5]

I dislike the new goodreads design, oh and this book is sadly true...

5 star - Perfect
4 star - i would recommend
3 star - good
2 star - struggled to complete
1 star - could not finish

[Hank · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book seems very rushed. I’m no fan of the Mayor, but unabashed bashing is not my style either.

I only got a tenth of the way in before I gave up on it.

[Jolene · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a former New Yorker, I found this book highly interesting.. Much of what I've read in here was stuff that I was already aware of. Even not being a resident in NY any longer, I tend to keep on top of current events, politics, etc. However, there was a great deal that I had either forgotten or wasn't aware of and was not entirely shocked at, but none the less still sadden to read. New York at one time was getting back on track. Until Bill De Blasio., Yes, there are others to blame but much of what you'll read here is about him.

With the division in our country right now, it will be the same with this book. If your a Republican you will probably recommend it to others. If your a Democrat you probably will burn this book.

I believe Seth Barron did a fantastic job describing the state of NY, how it got to be that way and those who were key players. One thing is for sure I think all New Yorkers should take the time to read this. .

[Vicki · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good riddance new york

Chilling, it would be nice if you could say the current mayor is an idiot, but he is so much worse. But it is not just him, look at the other coast or my state of Illinois and how much they are destroying that also. Unfortunately he does not give any solution to fix this problem, don't know if there are any. I am sure there is a lot more stuff about deBlasio that he did not or could not get in to.