Fiorello La Guardia was one of the twentieth century’s most colorful politicians ― on the New York and national stage. He was also quintessentially American: the son of Italian immigrants (his mother was also Jewish), who rose in society through sheer will and chutzpah.

Almost one hundred years later, America is once again grappling with issues that would have been familiar to the Little Flower, as he was affectionately known. On the latest episode of The Historians Podcast former Albany Politico bureau chief Terry Golway, author of I Never Did Like Politics: How Fiorello La Guardia Became America’s Mayor, and Why He Still Matters (St. Martin’s Press, 2024).