Bloomberg: A Billionaire’s Ambition

McNickle (The Power of the Mayor: David Dinkins: 1990–1993), writes a thorough account of Michael Bloomberg’s 12 years as mayor. The author avoids the personal, briefly describing his subject’s middle-class upbringing and meteoric business career, and focuses instead on Bloomberg’s many political achievements, with an occasional look at his failures. Bloomberg is quoted describing himself as having “unbridled enthusiasm and a belief that anything is possible.” He pursued an ambitious agenda, taking on the problems of the country’s largest city with the certainty that he could solve them. McNickle praises Bloomberg but can be critical as well. He cites the mayor’s major achievements as averting economic disaster, keeping the city safe after 9/11, rebuilding the Twin Towers district, and using his business expertise to improve the city’s finances. However, McNickle argues, Bloomberg was less successful with schools, affordable housing and transportation, and alleviating income inequality. He is particularly critical of the huge amounts Bloomberg spent on his campaigns and how he overrode existing law to run for a third term. McNickle has created a comprehensive look at Bloomberg’s unique ability to take on New York City’s myriad problems. (Sept.)