The Prince of Providence

The Prince of Providence chronicles the rise and fall of Vincent "Buddy" Cianci Jr., the longest-serving mayor of Providence, Rhode Island. This biography traces Cianci's journey from prosecutor to politician, documenting his two separate terms as mayor spanning from 1975 to 2002. Journalist Mike Stanton draws from extensive research, interviews, and his years covering Providence politics for The Providence Journal. The narrative follows Cianci's complex relationship with his city, his controversial leadership style, and the criminal investigations that shadowed his career. The book captures the transformation of Providence from a declining industrial center to a revitalized cultural destination. It presents a detailed account of Rhode Island politics, corruption investigations, and the characters who shaped the city's history during Cianci's era. The Prince of Providence stands as a study of political power, personal ambition, and the thin line between urban renewal and corruption. Through Cianci's story, the book examines broader themes about the nature of American local politics and the cost of progress.

Readers describe the book as a detailed account of Providence politics and corruption that reads like a movie script. Many say they couldn't put it down despite its length. What readers liked: - Deep research and thorough sourcing - Captures the local culture and personalities - Makes complex political dealings understandable - Maintains suspense despite known outcomes What readers disliked: - Too many minor characters to track - First third moves slowly - Some repetitive sections - Local references can confuse non-Rhode Island readers One reader noted: "The level of documentation is incredible - Stanton must have interviewed everyone in Providence." Another wrote: "Even knowing how it ends, I was glued to every page." Ratings: Goodreads: 4.2/5 (1,800+ ratings) Amazon: 4.6/5 (280+ ratings) LibraryThing: 4.1/5 (90+ ratings)

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🏛️ Buddy Cianci was known for his marinara sauce brand "Mayor's Own Marinara Sauce," which he started while in office and continued selling even during his prison term. 📚 Author Mike Stanton won a Pulitzer Prize as part of the Providence Journal's investigative team before writing this book. 🗳️ Cianci was the first Italian-American mayor of Providence and served two separate periods in office (1975-1984 and 1991-2002), with his first term ending in resignation after a felony conviction. 🎭 The book inspired a stage musical called "The Prince of Providence" which premiered at Trinity Repertory Company in 2019 to sold-out audiences. 🏗️ During Cianci's tenure, Providence underwent a major renaissance, including the creation of Waterplace Park, relocation of railroad tracks, and construction of the Providence Place Mall.