PUBLIC PLUNDER

A history of graft in the U. S. from Colonial times down, government in the service of industry or finance or personal profit. A disheartening picture, as bribery and corruption in high places is traced from Jefferson and Hamilton to Wood and Tweed -- to the prohibition era and Capone and Insull -- to the New Deal and Farley, with his distortion of reform politics. A record of names and facts, but seems authentic and courageous, if a bit muck raking. For the Robber Barons market.