"In a clear, flowing style and with scrupulous attention to detail, Richard Lindberg chronicles the unholy alliance of politics, law enforcement, and crime . : 130 years of unremitting incompetence, deceit, self-aggrandizement, stupidity, and plain venality. Perhaps the most enduring value of this work is in its comprehensive look at Chicago's political history from the beginning. Lindberg not only provides names, dates, and events, he embellishes the account with fascinating facts, little known details, and occasional touches of suspense that give the book a broad appeal."-- Illinois Issues "Lindberg has written a book in the grand tradition of Herman Kogan, Lloyd Wendt, and Mike Royko. To Serve and Collect is chock-full of the colorful characters with improbable nicknames, outrageous events, and enlivening anecdotes that have earned Chicago its long-established reputation as a freewheeling, wide-open city where the bad guys have hearts of gold and the good guys feet of clay."-- Illinois Historical Journal "An insightful, thorough, provoking book that will raise the ire of a few and bring resounding applause from the many." --John Jemilo, Deputy Superintendent (retired), Chicago Police Department.
To Serve and Collect : Chicago Politics and Police Corruption from the Lager Beer Riot to the Summerdale Scandal, 1855-1960