Originally released in 1987, The Mayors: The Chicago Political Tradition gathered some of the finest minds in political thought to provide shrewd analysis of Chicago’s mayors and their administrations. Twenty-five years later, this fourth edition continues to illuminate the careers of some of Chicago’s most respected, forceful, and even notorious mayors, leaders whose lives were often as vibrant and eclectic as the city they served. In addition to chapters on the individual mayors—including a new chapter on Rahm Emanuel, enhanced by an expert explanation of the current state of the city’s budget by Laurence Msall, president of the Civic Federation—this new edition offers an insightful overview of the Chicago mayoral tradition throughout the city’s history; rankings of the mayors evaluated on their leadership and political qualities; an appendix of Chicago’s mayors and their years of service; and additional updated materials.

Paul M. Green is the Arthur Rubloff Professor of Policy Studies, Chairman of the Department of Political Science and Public Administration and the Director of the Institute for Politics at Roosevelt University. He is the author, coauthor, or editor of several books about Chicago and Illinois politics.

Melvin G. Holli, a professor emeritus of history at the University of Illinois at Chicago, is the author of numerous books, including The Amercan Mayor: The Best and Worst Big-City Leaders and The Wizard of Washington: Emil Hurja, Franklin Roosevelt, and the Birth of Public Opinion Polling.