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Island Of Vice: Theodore Roosevelt's Doomed Quest To Clean Up Sin-loving New York (2000)

by Richard Zacks(Favorite Author)

3.55 of 5 Votes: 4

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English

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review 1: I had high hopes for this book. Teddy Roosevelt as police commissioner of NYC, determined to clean up the streets. The book certainly covered his valiant but ultimately unsuccessful attempt to reform NYC. But it also showcased what it took to stop vice. Like today, they went after the prostitutes rather than the johns, the bar owners not the drinkers. Lead us not into temptation, we can find it very well on our own, thank you very much. There were endless chapters on putting police officers on trial for dereliction of duty. But while Roosevelt ultimately did create a better police force, he had no real hope of eliminating all the bad apples. Vice in the police ranks was too entrenched, too much a perk of the job and too many people had livelihoods that depended on the stat... moreus quo. Although the reader was good, the book was a slog with endless repetitions of trials and vice tours and accusations. Die hard TR fans should give this is a try, but if you aren't this won't endear him to you.
review 2: This is not the first book I've read about Teddy. However, I feel like I got to know his personality and drive much better in this book. His drive and energy come through. His, I believe, genuine desire to do good and make the work better is on display. However, his lack of compromise, his inability to see other points of view, his quick reaction to 'if you don't agree with me, you are against me' attitude are a significant barrier to what could have been an long-enduring legacy in NYC. Of course, it is NYC. less

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