Rudy Giuliani's admirably steely response to the horrifying events of 9/11 made him a national hero, positioning him for a renewed political life as governor, senator, or, his ultimate quest, president. But the outpouring of post-9/11 praise obscured many uncomfortable facts about Giuliani, one of the most polarizing figures in the Big Apple's history. Edited by Robert Polner, who covered city hall for Newsday during much of Giuliani's administration, America's Mayor collects the original essays and reporting of some of New York's best writers, including Pulitzer Prize winner Jim Dwyer, Tom Robbins, Jimmy Breslin, Kevin Baker, Luc Sante, LynNell Hancock, and others. These writers have uncovered the dark realities behind the myth of Rudy Giuliani, offering an informative and entertaining corrective to the simplistic celebration of Giuliani as "America's Mayor." Giuliani's McCarthy-like penchant for smearing; his attempts to defang the city's vibrant alternative cultures; his exploitation of 9/11 for personal aggrandizement; his disastrous fiscal policies — these are among the many subjects addressed.

Rudy Giuliani's admirably flinty response to the horrifying events of 9-11 has made him a national hero, positioning him for big things to come in the nation's political life, as governor of New York, in Hillary Rodham Clinton¹s coveted US Senate seat or, his ultimate quest, the White House. But the outpouring of praise for his performance after Sept 11, 2001 has obscured many uncomfortable facts about Giuliani, one of the most polarizing figures in the history of a great and frenetic city.

This book collects the original essays and reporting of some of New York¹s most perceptive authors and reporters on Giuliani¹s two terms as mayor. The writers have few illusions about Rudy's turbulent reign, offering an informative and entertaining corrective to today¹s simplistic celebration of "America's Mayor."