About the Author

William M. Reddig, an editor for the Kansas City Star for more than 20 years, eventually becoming book review editor, completed Tom's Town shortly after the death of Tom Pendergast in 1945. He later became editor of the Charlotte News in North Carolina.

Reviews

The story of the Pendergasts has been told ... in many places and in many ways. It has hardly been told anywhere, however, with more fascinating detail and healthy irony than in this volume of William M. Reddig." --New York Times

"Reddig has written his history of the Pendergast machine in a reportorial style which manages to combine plain city desk prose with a great deal of humor, irony, and insight. He has dwelt with obvious delight on the local characters, the factions, and feuds, and has given several brilliant personality sketches." --Saturday Review of Literature