Terry Golway

Terry Golway is an American journalist, historian and academic who has written extensively about Irish-American history and New York politics. He serves as a senior editor at POLITICO and is known for his work chronicling the history of Tammany Hall and Irish-American political influence. Through books like "Machine Made: Tammany Hall and the Creation of Modern American Politics" (2014) and "Irish Rebel: John Devoy and America's Fight for Ireland's Freedom" (1998), Golway has helped reshape understanding of Irish-American political organizations and their impact on American democracy. His work often challenges traditional negative views of Tammany Hall by highlighting its role in immigrant advancement and progressive reforms. Beyond his historical works, Golway has been a prominent voice in contemporary political journalism through his contributions to The New York Times, American Heritage, the New York Observer, and other major publications. He currently holds a position as Director of the Kean University Center for History, Politics and Policy in New Jersey. His other notable books include "Frank and Al: FDR, Al Smith, and the Unlikely Alliance That Created the Modern Democratic Party" (2018) and "Washington's General: Nathanael Greene and the Triumph of the American Revolution" (2005), demonstrating his range across American political and military history.

Readers praise Golway's ability to present complex historical topics in an accessible way while maintaining academic rigor. On Amazon and Goodreads, his books consistently receive 4+ out of 5 stars. What readers liked: - Clear writing style that makes dense political history engaging - Fresh perspective on Tammany Hall's positive contributions - Thorough research and extensive primary source citations - Balance between scholarly depth and narrative flow What readers disliked: - Some felt certain books like "Machine Made" were too sympathetic to Tammany Hall - Occasional repetition of key points - Dense detail that can slow pacing in sections Representative review from Goodreads for "Machine Made": "Golway skillfully dismantles the cartoon version of Tammany Hall without glossing over its flaws. His research transforms our understanding of urban political machines." Amazon ratings across all books average 4.5/5 stars from 500+ reviews Goodreads ratings average 4.2/5 from 2,000+ reviews

The Irish in America (1997) A chronological examination of Irish immigration to America from the 1600s through the twentieth century, covering social, political, and cultural impacts.

For the Cause of Liberty: A Thousand Years of Ireland's Heroes (2000) A historical account of Irish resistance movements and key figures in Ireland's struggle for independence from the medieval period through the twentieth century.

Together We Cannot Fail: FDR and the American Presidency in Years of Crisis (2009) An analysis of Franklin D. Roosevelt's presidency through his fireside chats and public addresses during the Great Depression and World War II.

Machine Made: Tammany Hall and the Creation of Modern American Politics (2014) A historical study of New York's Tammany Hall political machine and its influence on American urban politics and governance.

Frank and Al: FDR, Al Smith, and the Unlikely Alliance That Created the Modern Democratic Party (2018) An examination of the relationship between Franklin D. Roosevelt and Al Smith and their roles in transforming the Democratic Party in the early 20th century.

Timothy Egan writes historical narratives about American life and politics in the Progressive Era and Great Depression. His focus on social movements and working-class struggles parallels Golway's examination of urban political machines.

Peter Quinn chronicles Irish-American history and New York City politics through both non-fiction and historical novels. His work examines many of the same Tammany Hall figures and Irish immigrant communities that appear in Golway's books.

Thomas Kessner specializes in New York City political history and the role of immigrant communities in urban development. His research covers machine politics and reform movements during the same time periods as Golway's work.

Edwin G. Burrows produced definitive histories of New York City's development from colonial times through the gilded age. His examination of power structures and political institutions provides context for the era Golway writes about.

Richard Welch focuses on the intersection of Irish-American identity and urban politics in the 19th and early 20th centuries. His analysis of political machines and ethnic voting blocs complements Golway's perspective on Tammany Hall.