Book Description: This epic of urban politics and Irish America recounts the life of James Michael Curley--twice-jailed scoundrel and saint, champion of the people and shameless grafter, er of Mussolini, orato and wit, and often called the most colorful politician in American history. And a great Dickensian story it is, spilling over with plots and pathos, political farce and shrewd analysis from the Senior Editor at The Atlantic. Photographs.