How This Book Came About
How This Book is Organized
Introduction
Cast of Caricatures
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In many respects, this is a nineteenth century story of David and Goliath. The legendary Boss Tweed effectively controlled New York City from after the Civil War until his downfall in November 1871. A huge man of almost 300 pounds, he and his Ring of Thieves appeared to be invincible as they stole an estimated $30 to $200 million — up to $2 billion in today's dollars. In addition to the city, county and state government, many judges and the police, the Tweed Ring effectively controlled the press except for Harper's Weekly, America's leading illustrated newspaper, and (after August 1870) The New-York Times.
Thomas Nast was the most dominant American political cartoonist of all time. Physically, he was a head shorter than Tweed and about half his weight. Using his pen as his sling, he attacked Tweed almost single-handedly before the Times joined the battle in September 1870. After the Ring was beaten, Nast caricatured what happened to Tweed and his cohorts as justice pursued each of them.
Thomas Nast was the most dominant American political cartoonist of all time. Physically, he was a head shorter than Tweed and about half his weight. Using his pen as his sling, he attacked Tweed almost single-handedly before the Times joined the battle in September 1870. After the Ring was beaten, Nast caricatured what happened to Tweed and his cohorts as justice pursued each of them.