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Reviews
“The Gambler King of Clark Street is the story of a remarkable and controversial figure who began his career conning railway passengers and reached such a high state of political eminence that his influence was felt in City Hall, the governor’s mansion, and even the White House. Chicago history aficionados owe Richard C. Lindberg a debt of gratitude for providing a deeper understanding of how the city became what it is today.” —Rose Keefe, author of The Starker: Big Jack Zelig, the Becker-Rosenthal Case, and the Advent of the Jewish Gangster “This is an immensely important historical book because it fills a critical gap in Chicago and Illinois history. Michael McDonald is mentioned in every history of the period but his life, role, and significance in the development of both crime syndicates and machine politics has never before been fully explored.”—Dick Simpson, author of Rogues, Rebels, and Rubber Stamps: The Politics of the Chicago City Council, 1863 to the Present “Until now, little was known about Michael C. McDonald and his profound impact in shaping the political-criminal landscape of Chicago. Richard Lindberg masterfully brings McDonald and his world back to life; a world populated by card sharps, bunko swindlers, back-alley characters, and rogue saloon bosses. Michael C. McDonald’s legacy is a degree of civic malfeasance unmatched anywhere else in the country. As one frustrated alderman lamented, ‘Chicago is unique. It is the only totally corrupt city in America.’ How did Chicago get this way? Lindberg provides us with the answers.”—William J. Helmer, author of Public Enemies: America’s Criminal Past, 1919–1940 Awards
Illinois State Historical Society Scholarly Award, Certificate of Excellence 2009
Society of Midland Authors Biography Award 2009
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Also of Interest
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