Book Release Reception
Saturday, September 25th, 2021
3 pm
In Conversation with Dr. Paul Van Buskirk on stage at the Cohoes Music Hall
4-7 pm
Book Release Reception at the Cohoes Visitors Center.
Download the details here.
Reviews
Professional reviewer Laura Freed (Bookseller) has just reviewed Big Mike, Uncle Dan and Me.
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Full Text:
This is a fascinating story into the history of politics. We tend to think crazy politics didn’t exist before the last 8 years, but this book reminds us that yes, politics is usually not pretty unless we are talking pretty ugly.
Not only was this an interesting story, it was also humorous at times. We can learn a lot from this book, no matter where your political lines fall.
Reviewer Randy has just reviewed Big Mike, Uncle Dan and Me.
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Full Text:
In a well-written book brimming with US history, the author demonstrates with intelligence and skill how politically corrupt systems work and then shares the story of how he beat them. Readers will appreciate the importance of strategy and effective organization. Dr. Paul Van Buskirk’s writing is crisp and readers will enjoy the author’s descriptive style and the irresistible narrative voice. Big Mike, Uncle Dan, and Me provides interesting episodes in the life of the man who defeated the corrupt political machine and reformed the system for a more progressive form of leadership. Brilliantly written and utterly inspiring, Van Buskirk’s beautiful prose and his storytelling skills transform the book into a page-turning narrative. An eye-opening story that sets an example for any successful revolution.
Interviews
Politics Done Right
Paul was interviewed on Politics Done Right about the differences between the 1968 riots in the cites when he was a Director of a Model Cities Program and today.
Click here for the video interview.
Urban Loop
Paul was interviewed on Urban Loop about how to dismantle an entrenched political organization and bring about reform in local government.
Click here for the audio interview.
Articles
The Albany Times Union
Ricard Barrett, historian of Albany Democratic politics, stated that Paul “was a mastermind. It was revolutionary. O’Connell’s fiefdom went south.” Paul played an insightful political game against the machine.
Click here to read the article.
Highbrow Magazine
Paul was featured in an article about the book.
Click here to read the article.
Fulcrum Magazine
Paul wrote an article for Fulcrum magazine on voter turnout for local elections with the key variable being political competitiveness.
Click here to read the article.
