"For thirteen years, during a time of Democratic congressional dominance in Washington, Dan Rostenkowski became one of the most influential American legislators of the twentieth century. As chairman of the powerful House Ways and Means Committee, the congressman from Illinois left his mark on the nation's tax laws, international trade, Social Security, health care, welfare programs, and a good many other policies that affected most Americans.

He practiced old-school politics; he passed out political favors liberally; he could be gruff and abrupt. But the route for important legislation ran through Rostenkowski's office."--BOOK JACKET.

"Richard Cohen's scrupulous political biography of Rostenkowski follows his rise to power from modest origins in the Democratic ward politics of Chicago's Polish northwest side, through his national legislative triumphs, and ultimately to his criminal conviction and imprisonment for abuses of House practice."--BOOK JACKET.

"Mr. Cohen's story offers much more than Rostenkowski's personal tragedy; it is a tale of the transformation of American political life. Because he served so many years in Congress (1959-1995), Rostenkowski's career illuminates the changing nature of both the institution and the Democratic party."--BOOK JACKET.