Bob Ingle

Bob Ingle is a veteran journalist and author known for his investigative reporting and books about New Jersey politics and corruption. As the senior political columnist for Gannett New Jersey newspapers and co-author of multiple books, he has spent decades covering government, politics, and scandals in the state. His most notable work is "The Soprano State: New Jersey's Culture of Corruption," co-authored with Sandy McClure, which became a New York Times bestseller in 2008. The book extensively documented political misdeeds and government dysfunction in New Jersey, drawing widespread attention to systemic issues within the state's political system. Ingle served as Trenton bureau chief for Gannett New Jersey newspapers and wrote a widely-read political column that appeared in multiple publications across the state. His reporting led to several state investigations and reforms in New Jersey government operations. As a broadcast journalist, Ingle has appeared as a political commentator on various networks including CNN, Fox News, and NBC, providing analysis of New Jersey politics and corruption issues. He followed up his first bestseller with "Chris Christie: The Inside Story of His Rise to Power," another deep dive into New Jersey political culture.

Readers praise Ingle's direct writing style and insider knowledge of New Jersey politics. Many cite his ability to make complex political scandals understandable through detailed research and clear explanations. Reviews note his thorough documentation and naming of specific officials involved in corruption. Positive reviews highlight: - Deep research and fact-checking - Clear explanations of complicated schemes - Use of public records and investigative reporting - Engaging narrative style despite dense subject matter Common criticisms include: - Too many characters and incidents to follow - Some perceived political bias - Occasional dry/technical sections - Information becoming dated On Goodreads, "The Soprano State" averages 3.8/5 stars from 800+ ratings. One reader called it "a shocking but necessary expose." Another noted it "reads like a crime novel but it's all true." Amazon reviews average 4.2/5 stars from 200+ reviews. Multiple readers described it as "eye-opening" about New Jersey politics, while some felt it focused too heavily on negative examples.

The Soprano State: New Jersey's Culture of Corruption (2008) A detailed examination of political scandals and government dysfunction in New Jersey, documenting decades of corruption across state and local levels.

Chris Christie: The Inside Story of His Rise to Power (2012) A biographical account tracking Chris Christie's path from federal prosecutor to New Jersey governor, examining key moments and decisions in his political career.

The Soprano State Book One: The Rise and Fall of Chris Christie (2017) An analysis of Chris Christie's governorship in New Jersey, chronicling both his achievements and controversies through his time in office.

Michael Rothfeld has covered corruption in New York and New Jersey as an investigative reporter for The Wall Street Journal. His books examine political scandals and criminal cases in the region through extensive document research and source interviews.

Ted Sherman reports on New Jersey politics and corruption for The Star-Ledger newspaper and co-authored "The Jersey Sting" about FBI investigations. He specializes in deep-dive investigations of government wrongdoing and organized crime connections in the state.

Wayne Barrett wrote extensively about New York City politics and investigations as a Village Voice reporter and author. His books expose political dealings and corruption through detailed documentation and insider accounts.

Jack Newfield covered politics and corruption in New York as an investigative journalist for multiple newspapers. His books focused on power brokers and machine politics through direct reporting and examination of documents.

Juan Gonzalez reported on urban politics and government misconduct for the New York Daily News and Democracy Now. His books investigate political machines and corruption through primary source research and whistleblower accounts.