Rating: 
Summary: america's mayor? hero-mayor? hardly
Review: Consider that even before Sept 11, this "hero" was publically questioning whether there should be mayoral elections at all, (term limits meant he had to go) and after the tragic events he wanted them cancelled so that he could stay on, since in his words he was already "experienced and doing a good job". His contempt for democracy is matched by his endless conceit.
His public order record is bound to be reviewed considering the positions he took over repeated police shootings/savagery of civilians/bystanders (Dialo and Louima being only two of the most publicized).
As for the "hero" part, a hero is one who risks his life to save or help others. It is not clear what risk Mr Juliani undertook either as mayor or as soon-to-be-ex-mayor during the aftermath of Sept 11, other than attempt to monopolize the publicity of a profound tragedy for personal aggrandizement. There is clearly an effort by the Royalist (former Republican) party to place him in the front running for high national office. Don't go for it.
Rating: 
Summary: if only rudy was as easy a read as this book is...It's great
Review: Having lived through those turbulent years and having to begrudginly give my approval to many of the things that he did,I find that the balance in this superbly written and easy to read study make me more comfortable with my feelings. Kirtzman doesn't take sides as much as he presents both sides allowing the reader to get a better feel for this complex and often forbidding and not forgiving mayor without sacrificing your basic reactions to the man. A must read.
Rating:
Summary: Very engaging read!
Review: I first set foot in New York City in late 1993, right before Giuliani entered the City Hall. NYC was a mess. I was scared riding in a car in Queens when the first time a 'spongee' came along to offer windshield wiping service. Or when riding in the subway we would not dare taking out a map or a camera,anything that could hint that we're tourists. Between 1996 and 1997 I went back and lived there for 9 months, which I enjoyed very much. During this time NYC was so absorbed into the new found prosperity and success of the financial markets/industry that I rarely heard people talking about the state of the city a mere 4 years ago. To say it's as safe as Tokyo is an exaggeration of course, but for such a high density big city, it was a hugely successful clean-up from 4 years ago. Homeless and graffitti is substantially less seen in the subway system. My friends and I would now have the guts to walk on the street at 3am...Then as time went on I heard the major had a lot to do with this change. And then I started hearing how local NYers describe Giuliani as such a fighter, never backed down from oppositions such as strike threat and stuff like that... After 911 WTC incident, I was very concerned about anything NY, having lived there for a little bit before. From the high-profile media appearance of Giuliani, I saw him maintaining the composure well enough to offer a symbol of calmness and toughness representing NY in the wake of the disaster towards the rest of the country and the world. Based on this and my past experience with NYC, reading this book is a joy. It's not just a story-book about how Giuliani came to power, how he succeeded and where he faltered, and from which an evaluation of his characteristics, philosophy and other inner traits. It's also an honest reflection of the social transformation of NYC during his 2 terms of mayorship. It's not easy for an average American to appreciate the unique nature of this society, whether it be racial, economic, crime or just social problems, because NY is so different from the American heartland. However, the book was particularly great for someone like me, who mostly knows the places and the background environment in which these incidents develop, but does not actually know the events described in the book much, if at all, because I'm not a local NYer.
I thought the author has produced an honest account of both Giuliani's campaigns to the mayorship and also his major tasks and difficulties faced during the 2 terms. Being a journalist, the author has written the book in such a way that it reads very practical and fast. There's a lot of substance and facts in it, with quotes from many people around the major, which I think is a very direct and insightful way of peeping into the thinking/culture of the 'inner circle'. I think the author has done a great job connecting all these together to produce a seemless flow and smooth taste throughout the chapters of the book. For me who didn't know much about politics, this is also an eye-opener as it described the political power struggle and way of thinking so transparently by reflecting it on the daily events surrounding the major's agenda, and in general, the social happenings of a multi-racial, complex society. The only thing I would have liked to see more in this book is a little more words on how Giuliani reacted or what he has done, if any, that's related to the great boom of the American economy and hence the Wall Street during his 2nd term. But maybe that's not quite relevant to the grand schema of things for this book anyway. So even without that part which I'd be intersted to know more about, this is still a very engaging read!
Rating:
Summary: read in one sitting
Review: I picked this book up to read on a flight from Providence to Phoenix. I never put it down and read the whole book by arrival. It is an incredibly readable book. As far as I understand it was oringinally published before sept 11th so most of the book is unbiased by the great acts the mayor performed on that day and afterword. This being siad the author is great at detailing the intricacies of New York politics. A worthwhile read for anyone who didnt experience the Guliani era first hand(in NY). As another reviewer siad it does lack detail and certainly is in no way a biography of the man. The book is a political biography the starts in 1988 and ends in 2001.
Rating: 
Summary: Interesting book about a unique individual
Review: Interesting book about a unique individual. You have to admire his character as he shapes New York from the "Rotting Apple" as Time magazine portrayed it under Dinkins, to the "Capital of the World", as some call it today. While this book seems intent or attacking Giuliani at every turn, it can't hide the remarkable job that he did as Mayor. The book ends with him bowing out of the 2000 Senate race ,so it doesn't cover his apt handling of the Sept. 11th Attack recovery.Â
Rating:
Summary: An outstanding political drama
Review: There is no question that Rudy Giuliani is a fascinating figure that has reshaped the political landscape of New York City. Kirtzman provides a fast-paced and entertaining account of Rudy's career from its beginning to the present, capturing both the highs and lows that many of us are familiar with, while not being aware of all the finer details. Thankfully he does not concern himself with sensationalizing his subject like another recent Giuliani biographer, painting a much more balanced portrait instead. An excellent book, I highly reccommend it.
Rating:
Summary: Solid and Condensed Biography
Review: This biography was excellently written in a mostly unbiased way. Kirtzman has an excellent understanding of NYC politics and this served to his advantage in chronicling Giulianis life. For a more comprehensive biography pick up "Rudy" by Wayne Barrett.
Rating:
Summary: A taut, engrossing story
Review: This book could have been either a refreshingly new analysis of Guiliani's politics or an uproariously entertaining tale of his reign. It's neither. Kirtzman the New York 1 man likes to talk about the chain-smoking, styrofoam coffee cup world of political camapigns. He goes on and on about Ray Harding, Peter Powers, Bruce Teitelbaum, and of course Christyne Lategano. He's gossipy, BUT not gossipy enough to tell us whether Rudy and Christyne ever hooked up, or how Hizzoner met his "very special friend" from the East Side. There's no new dirt in this book. Kirtzman has the good sense to describe the opera buffa elements of this mayorality, but so many funny bits are left out! Where is Guiliani's aria against double-parking U.N. diplomats? His tantrum against Grammy organziers from LA? Only one sentence each about hot dog vendors, the downtown bunker, and New York magazine bus ads! Please! The author seems to think only in campaign terms. He never settles down to tell us about the work of governing or the debates about the actual impact of Guiliani's policies on New Yorkers. No mention of the controversy about methadone treatment or West Side stadiums, for example. Kirtman could also have told us something about the pre-1989 Guiliani, but he fails there too. Next to nothing about Rudy the student and Mob-busting lawyer. In conclusion, the book is a disapointment because it lacks detail and it doesn't say much that's new. The other new Guiliani book is probably better.
Rating: 
Summary: Very much the work of a TV reporter
Review: This book could have been either a refreshingly new analysis of Guiliani's politics or an uproariously entertaining tale of his reign. It's neither. Kirtzman the New York 1 man likes to talk about the chain-smoking, styrofoam coffee cup world of political camapigns. He goes on and on about Ray Harding, Peter Powers, Bruce Teitelbaum, and of course Christyne Lategano. He's gossipy, BUT not gossipy enough to tell us whether Rudy and Christyne ever hooked up, or how Hizzoner met his "very special friend" from the East Side. There's no new dirt in this book. Kirtzman has the good sense to describe the opera buffa elements of this mayorality, but so many funny bits are left out! Where is Guiliani's aria against double-parking U.N. diplomats? His tantrum against Grammy organziers from LA? Only one sentence each about hot dog vendors, the downtown bunker, and New York magazine bus ads! Please! The author seems to think only in campaign terms. He never settles down to tell us about the work of governing or the debates about the actual impact of Guiliani's policies on New Yorkers. No mention of the controversy about methadone treatment or West Side stadiums, for example. Kirtman could also have told us something about the pre-1989 Guiliani, but he fails there too. Next to nothing about Rudy the student and Mob-busting lawyer. In conclusion, the book is a disapointment because it lacks detail and it doesn't say much that's new. The other new Guiliani book is probably better.
Rating:
Summary: Balanced Portrait of America's Mayor : Ugly and Beauty
Review: This is not a traditional biography, which was what I expected when I picked up the book. If you wish to know about Rudy's life before 1989, his first marriage, childhood, days as U.S. attorney, this is not the right book for you. The first 100 pages or so this book are a bit slow--too much campaign stuff and not enough on governing. However, the narrative picks up quickly over the last 200 pages. We learn about Rudy's mistakes and triumphs--of which there are many. You learn a ton about Rudy's controversial policies. The personal scandals are discussed, but not in a malicious way. We never learn about the details of his mysterious marriage to Donna Hanover--or anything much about Hanover. So, yes, things are left out. However, Al Sharpton is a fascinating character here. You learn about Rudy's day on Sept. 11, when the author was actually running around the city with the Mayor. The narrative ends in 2001. I would have loved to hear more about Bloomberg, but who can change the publication date now? It isn't perfect, but Rudy remains one of the fascinating--and successful--Mayors of our time.
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