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FDU PRESS
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| Scholarly Review |
 | King of the Bowery: Big Tim Sullivan, Tammany Hall, and New York City from the Gilded Age to the Progressive Era
ISBN# 9780838641767
Reviewed by: Willis M. Buhle
The Midwest Book Review |
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King of the Bowery: Big Time Sullivan, Tammany Hall, and New York City from the Gilded Age to the Progressive Era is a scholarly, in-depth examination of Timothy D. "Big Tim" Sullivan, colloquially known as "King of the Lower East Side" or even "King of the Underworld" due to his behind-the-scenes influence in early twentieth century New York City politics. Sullivan became the single most powerful New York politician by 1909 by capitalizing on changing demographic patterns and recruiting the loyalty of Jewish and Italian newcomers into his primarily Irish organization. A reputation of corruption dogged him, particularly since part of his income came from involvement with the underworld in general and gambling in particular (throughout his life he emphatically denied that he profited from prostitution). His tabloid worthy life ended in a bizarre death, which in turn spawned a wealth of conspiracy theories. King of the Bowery is an unforgettable look at the seamy side of turn of the century New York politics, as well as the roguish life and times of an amazingly charismatic (albeit morally questionable) public figure.
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