Boss

Mike Royko turns his sharp eye on Richard J. Daley, the Chicago mayor who rose from humble beginnings on the South Side to command the city and the Democratic machine that ran it. Royko traces the path that carried Daley from a modest start to the top of city politics, showing how he gained and held power.

The book examines the less flattering side of Daley's career alongside his accomplishments. Royko looks at the tolerance Daley showed for corruption, the image-making that shaped how the public saw him, and the reach of his influence over party politics, which earned him the nickname "king maker." The result is a candid, witty portrait of a political figure and of the machine that sustained him.

This new edition adds an introduction in which Royko reflects on Daley's death and what lies ahead for Chicago. Daley served as mayor from 1955 until his death in 1976.