A look behind the public image of New York City's most colorful mayor Democratic majority with his passion, humor, flair, and honesty, giving the city its most caring government in its history. This book takes a fresh look at this complex and paradoxical man and cunning politician who was as tough and unforgiving as the city he governed. It reveals an individual challenged by his modest education and immigrant background-who nevertheless embraced the best of American Puritan values to forge a model for good government that cares for its people whatever their race or creed. Readers will discover how LaGuardia harnessed his good relationship with FDR and his New Deal to bring millions in federal funds to New York City during the Great Depression for major capital improvements and to provide jobs and relief to the city's unemployed. H. Paul Jeffers (New York, NY) formerly a broadcast journalist, has written fifty books, most recently An Honest President: The Life and Presidencies of Grover Cleveland and Diamond Jim Brady: Prince of the Gilded Age (Wiley: 0-471-39102-6).