Synopses & Reviews
More than any other political boss of the early twentieth century, Thomas Dennison, and#8220;the Rogue who ruled Omaha,and#8221; was a master of the devious. Unlike his contemporaries outside the Midwest, he took no political office and was never convicted of a crime during his thirty-year reign. He was a man who managed saloons but never cared for alcohol; who may have incited the Omaha Race Riot of 1919 but claimed he never harmed a soul; who stood aside while powerful men did his bidding. His power came not from coercion or nobility but from delegation and subterfuge.and#160;
Orville D. Menard chronicles Dennisonand#8217;s life in River City Empire, beginning with Dennisonand#8217;s experiences in Colorado mining towns. In 1892 Dennison came to Omaha, Nebraska, where he married and started a family while solidifying his position as an influential political boss. Menard explores machine politics in Omaha as well as the man behind this machine, describing how Dennison steered elections, served the legitimate and illegitimate business communities, and administered justice boss-style to control crime and corruption. The microcosm of Omaha provides an opportunity for readers to explore bossism in a smaller environment and sheds light on the early twentieth-century American political climate as a whole.
Review
and#8220;The books James C. Olson leaves behind will enhance . . . Nebraskaand#8217;s collective memory of itself, for many years to come.and#8221;and#8212;Omaha World-Herald
Review
"Menard's book represents a worthwhile addition to the study of urban bossism because it deals with a smaller city."--Robert S. LaForte, Choice
Review
and#8220;This is a story of the growing-up of Omaha. . . . The whole story here is an extremely well-documented narrative.and#8221;and#8212;Francis Moul, Omaha World-Heraldand#160;
Review
and#8220;[Menard] has captured the essence of Dennison and how he operated. . . . Menardand#8217;s fine and provocative book raises interesting questions about not only the goals but the nature and methods of operation of political bosses with a western background.and#8221;and#8212;Larry H. Larsen,
Nebraska HistoryReview
"A thoroughly researched and well-written account."--Paulo E. Coletta, retired, United States Naval Academy
Review
and#8220;A fascinating story of politics in the early part of the twentieth century. . . . A significant contribution to scholarship.and#8221;and#8212;Donald J. Senese, director, National Center for Presidential Research
and#160;
Review
"[River City Empire]and#160;is a meticulously researched book. . . . Urban historians and political scientists should find much value in both the factual materials Menard presents and in his interpretations of them. Certainly residents of Omaha and those with ties there will find the study fascinating."--Frederick M. Spletstoser, Great Plains Quarterly
Synopsis
History of Nebraska was originally created to mark the territorial centennial of Nebraska and then revised to coincide with the statehood centennial. This one-volume history quickly became the standard text for the college student and reference for the general reader, unmatched for generations as the only comprehensive history of the state. This fourth edition, revised and updated, preserves the spirit and intelligence of the original. Incorporating the results of years of scholarship and research, this edition gives fuller attention to such topics as the Native American experience in Nebraska and the accomplishments and circumstances of the stateand#8217;s women and minorities. It also provides a historical analysis of the stateand#8217;s dramatic changes in the past two decades.
About the Author
Ronald C. Naugle is professor emeritus of history at Nebraska Wesleyan University. The author and editor of numerous books, he is coeditor of
Nebraska Quilts and Quiltmakers and the online edition of Encyclopedia Britannicaand#8217;s
Nebraska.
John J. Montag is professor emeritus of library and information technology at Nebraska Wesleyan University.
James C. Olson (1917and#8211;2005) was president emeritus of the University of Missouri. He is the author of several books, including Stuart Symington: A Life.