Citizen Koch: An Autobiography Book

Best known for his "How'm I doing?" approach to politics and life, as well as his candid stands on controversial issues, Ed Koch survived his years in public office by being the most outspoken and candid mayor in the history of New York City. Citizen Koch is an insightful, funny, and outrageous memoir about life, politics, and the City of New York. Ed's taken off the gloves and bares all about the highs and lows of his mayoralty and life. Besides being a hard-hitting, unusually honest political memoir, Citizen Koch is filled with heartfelt reminiscences from Koch's life - his childhood working as a hatcheck boy in a Newark dancehall with his immigrant parents during the Depression, his years living in Brooklyn, his World War II experiences as a Sergeant in the 104th Infantry Division, his time as a young attorney, and much, much more. Best of all, he chronicles his introduction to politics and offers a private and personal recounting of his nine years as a U.S. Congressman and three terms as Mayor of New York City. And, for the first time, Ed discusses his contemplation of suicide during the corruption crisis that clouded his third term. In Citizen Koch, Ed Koch also provides hilarious anecdotes and witty reminiscences from his years in public life, including wonderful stories from his time in Gracie Mansion and visits with Menachem Begin, Sir Laurence Olivier, Leonard Bernstein, Mother Teresa, and audiences with Presidents Bush and Nixon, Daniel Ortega, Pope John Paul II, and many, many others. And, perhaps best of all, Ed discusses his life out of office and offers up his opinions on many of the issues facing America today. Citizen Koch is the most candid, searching, and intimate portrait of one of our best-known public figures.