Empire of Mud, J. D. Dickey
Empire of Mud, J. D. Dickey
List: $19.95 | Sale: $13.97
Club: $9.97

Empire of Mud
The Secret History of Washington, DC

Author: J. D. Dickey

Narrator: John Lescault

Unabridged: 9 hr 20 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Published: 10/29/2019

Includes: Bonus Material Bonus Material Included


Synopsis

Washington, DC, gleams with stately columns and neoclassical temples, a pulsing hub of political power and prowess. But for decades it was one of the worst excuses for a capital city the world had ever seen. Before America became a world power in the twentieth century, Washington City was an eyesore at best and a disgrace at worst. Unfilled swamps, filthy canals, and rutted horse trails littered its landscape. Political bosses hired hooligans and thugs to conduct the nation’s affairs. Legendary madams entertained clients from all stations of society and politicians of every party. The police served and protected with the aid of bribes and protection money. Beneath pestilential air, the city’s muddy roads led to a stumpy, half-finished obelisk to Washington here, a domeless Capitol Building there. Lining the streets stood boarding houses, tanneries, and slums. Deadly horse races gouged dusty streets, and opposing factions of volunteer firefighters battled one another like violent gangs rather than life-saving heroes. The city’s turbulent history set a precedent for the dishonesty, corruption, and mismanagement that have led generations to look suspiciously on the various sin—both real and imagined—of Washington politicians. Empire of Mud unearths and untangles the roots of our capital’s story and explores how the city was tainted from the outset, nearly stifled from becoming the proud citadel of the republic that George Washington and Pierre L’Enfant envisioned more than two centuries ago.

About J. D. Dickey

J. D. Dickey has written or co-written volumes on numerous American cities, including Empire of Mud: The Secret History of Washington, DC. His other work includes articles for newspapers such as the London Daily Mail, magazines such as Rhapsody and Budget Travel, and online sites such as The Fix and Void magazine. He is a graduate of the University of Southern California’s School of Cinema and Television and has created numerous short films.

About John Lescault

Patrick Cullen (a.k.a. John Lescault), a native of Massachusetts, is a graduate of the Catholic University of America. He lives in Washington, DC, where he works in theater.


Reviews

[URL not allowed] I love going to Washington, and indeed spent three days there two weeks ago, in the course of which I bought this book at Busboys and Poets meeting a friend for dinner, and then read it on my flight westwards. It's a nice little micro-history of Washington C......more

Goodreads review by Rob

For me, this book was sooooo disappointing! It had all the makings of such a great historical read that I had nothing but extremely high expectations as to how much I would like it. Having failed to meet these, I admit that I might be more upset than is reasonable and my review of this could unfairl......more

Bloodsuckers and whores. A scattered collection of anecdotes from the first century of "The Swamp." J.D. Dickey is an amateur historian who has written a series of guidebooks for various American cities. Most guidebooks take you to a particular neighborhood and tell you a series of quick and interest......more

As a District Native I found this book to be very illuminating. The very last chapter on the Federal Triangle is interesting. I remember as a boy that the Federal Triangle is where you transferred buses to traverse the city. And to find it’s real identity is amazing. Anyway, great book for natives an......more


Quotes

“Engrossing, revealing…Dickey effectively illustrates the political and social instability that surrounded the construction of the city.” Booklist (starred review)

“Dickey pulls no punches…Only someone who loves the city can be so honest about its flaws, and this love shows in Dickey’s flowing style and knowledgeable approach.” Publishers Weekly

“Dickey brings the place to life, relating how it looked, felt, and functioned…An entertaining story.” Library Journal