Miami and the Siege of Chicago by Norman…

Miami and the Siege of Chicago (original 1968; edition 2008)

by Norman Mailer

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Title	Miami and the Siege of Chicago
Author	Norman Mailer
Tags	history, politics
Collections	Your library
Rating
Review	I am sure there are better books out there that more fully tell the story of the 1968 Democratic Convention. Because Norman Mailer has inserted himself in this story, it cannot help but suffer from his not being everywhere. And he is more than honest with the fact that he did not have the strength to be in some of the places he needed to be. With that in mind, this book will never be seen as the greatest description of events around that election. However, taken on its own terms (the story of two conventions which transforms into the story of the author), it is an interesting exploration of events and their effects on one person. This book represents two separate pieces of writing – both tied to the election of 1968. “Nixon in Miami” is a relatively straightforward piece of journalism (that is, straightforward if you accept that journalism was changing in the 60’s [just like everything else] so the author is allowed to insert himself in the story.) It follows the various players for the seven days of the Republican convention in Miami. It is fascinating to realize that, not that very long ago, the presidential and vice-presidential candidates were not really assured until the voting took place. And Mailer does a good job of providing the background intrigues and evaluations of the characters that led to Nixon in ’68. The second piece – “The Siege of Chicago” – tells the story of the riot-ridden Democratic Convention. It is easy to imagine that Mailer entered that week assuming that, while things might be different, they would still be the same. Instead, he walked into a full-blown war between the Peaceniks/Yippees and Mayor Daley’s Gestapo. The individual reading for history will get some of it in this piece, but will generally be disappointed. Mailer seems to have made a significant habit of not being there for the big things. And he is quick to admit that, in some instances, he just didn’t have the desire to be there. And, when his desire finally arrives, the opportunity has passed him by. Yes, at the end of the seven days, he manages to get arrested twice and punched out once, but it is almost like he felt he needed his own bruised-badge of courage before leaving – an afterthought to validate his presence. Because this book (and even the final piece) start out as one thing and change to another, the inconsistency weakens the book’s strengths. In addition, Mailer is very much in love with long, lingering sentences and paragraphs that, while often adding to the experience, just as often detract. However, it still stands as a good retelling of these events by “one who was there” and provides good background to the person who may be trying to figure out why those candidates were selected, how in the world did Nixon win it all, and why did anyone think it was worth cracking heads. And it reminds us that either 1) things just aren’t as bad as they used to be or 2) things are worse and nobody cares.
Other authors 1
Publication date	2008
Publication	NYRB Classics (2008), Paperback, 224 pages
ISBN	1590172965 / 9781590172964
Number of volumes	1
Number of copies	1
Pages	224
Dimensions	8.03 x 5.04 x 0.55 inches
Weight	0.57 pounds


LC Classification	JK2353 .M34
Dewey	324.27315609046


Primary language eng	English
Secondary language	(blank)
Original language


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Date acquired
Summary 1	Miami and the Siege of Chicago by Norman Mailer (2008)


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Data source	amazon.com
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