Michael Bloomberg became mayor of New York just four months after the 9/11 terrorist destruction of the World Trade Center, and he led the rebuilding of a physically and emotionally devastated city so well that within two years, the city had budget surpluses. Weikart reveals how state and federal governments constrained Bloomberg's efforts to set municipal policy and implement his strategic goals in the areas of homelessness, low-income housing, poverty, education, and crime. External powers of state and federal governments are strong currents and Bloomberg's navigation of these currents often determined the outcome of his efforts.

Weikart evaluates Michael Bloomberg's mayoral successes and failures in the face of various challenges: externally, the constraints of state government, and mandates imposed by federal and state courts; and, internally, the impasse between labor unions and Bloomberg. Weikart identifies and explores both the self-created restrictions of Mayor Bloomberg's own management style and the courage of Mike Bloomberg's leadership.

The book is published by Cornell University Press. The audiobook is published by University Press Audiobooks.

"Indispensable to anyone interested in the history of New York City in the twenty-first century." (Jonathan Soffer, New York University, author of Ed Koch and the Rebuilding of New York City)

"Shows Michael Bloomberg's controversial mayoralty in a whole new light." (Wilbur Rich, Wellesley College, author of David Dinkins and New York City Politics)/

"Weikart offers an insightful and critical perspective on Bloomberg's management style and political skills." (Bruce Berg, Fordham University, author of Healing Gotham)