Book Review: The Soprano State by Bob Ingle and Sandy McClure

October 22, 2010

About:

The Soprano State: New Jersey’s Culture of Corruption” by ace political reporters Bob Ingle and Sandy McClure is a non-fiction book which examines New Jersey‘s love / hate relationship with the corrupt political class. You don’t have to live in New Jersey to read this book, I’m sure these shenanigans go on in other states, just not as flagrant or as often.
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Book Review: The Soprano State by Bob Ingle and Sandy McClure
My rating for The Soprano State 5
Yo, buy the thing already – would ya’?*
More books by Bob Ingle*
More books by Sandy McClure*

Thoughts:

This book should be required reading for any adult – especially in New Jersey – maybe then the average New Jersey voter will stop voting the same crooks into office year after year. Besides listing acts which would make any descent person ashamed to show themselves in public, this book makes a point to mention that the corruption is in the culture.
After all, if everybody commits pension fraud then why shouldn’t you?
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“The Soprano State” is informative, funny and entertaining yet horrifying at the same time – as a New Jersey resident I felt like I needed to take a shower after every chapter or segment. Only in New Jersey would the state government attempt to close 12 (twelve) public parks to save $4 million while building a “public” park behind the statehouse to the tune of…$87 million.

Then they go crying crocodile tears because the state is bankrupt and they “must” raise taxes.

I clearly remember when James “I am a Gay American” McGreevy resigned. I was on a cruise for our honeymoon and busted out laughing, telling the rest of the passengers that gay or not gay – McGreevy only resigned to avoid going to jail as a sitting governor.

Ah, yes – the joy of being from New Jersey.

Some reviewers said that this book is biased. Yes, there are more stories about corrupt Democrats than Republicans, but that is because Democrats ruled New Jersey for decades. However, to give credit where credit is due, the authors do include Republicans, since they also had their run, and give them the same “credit” they give the Democrats.

There is plenty of blame to go around, even though a lot of it spread throughout the United States since those that destroyed this once beautiful state are now retired elsewhere since they cannot afford to live in NJ – after they helped destroy it.

Did this book change anything?

A little – maybe. The same crooks were voted back into office, the same shenanigans are happening in broad daylight (New Jersey voted a Republican governor as a referendum against the Democratic incumbent – no national politics involved regardless of what the media might want you to think), corruption is rampant, the politician-busting federal prosecutor is now governor but the lawyer that defended all the corrupt politician is now the federal prosecutor (bad choice Mr. President).

I’m sure we’ll see “The Soprano State” 2, 3, 4, 5… New Jersey has endless material and this book didn’t even scratch the surface. After all Co-author Bob Ingle was saying that they had to cut some stuff out of the book because the editor insisted they’ll supply references, otherwise no-one would believe that this book is not a work of fiction.

Hey you, with the thing…in the place… take out your wallet and buy the book already!*
More books by Bob Ingle*
More books by Sandy McClure*

Zohar — Man of la Book
Dis­claimer:I got this book for free.
*Ama­zon links point to an affil­i­ate account, the money is usually spent on books

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Summary
Review Date
Reviewed Item
The Soprano State : New Jersey's Culture of Corruption by Bob Ingle and Sandy McClure
Author Rating
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Product Name
The Soprano State : New Jersey's Culture of Corruption by Bob Ingle and Sandy McClure

Wrap Up

The Soprano State : New Jersey's Culture of Corruption by Bob Ingle and Sandy McClure

9 Comments

  • PaulaOctober 24, 2010 at 9:39 pm
    • zoharOctober 25, 2010 at 7:01 am

      Welcome Paula,
      I followed back.

  • RayOctober 25, 2010 at 9:57 pm

    I’ve been really interested in reading this book eventually. Glad to see it got a good review from you.

    • zoharOctober 26, 2010 at 7:11 am

      Thanks Ray, it’s an interesting book and funny as well until you realize in the middle of it that you’re from NJ.

  • PeteOctober 26, 2010 at 7:14 pm

    Good review, I’ve been itching to read this and to see the new documentary. I’m also from NJ and worked in NJ politics for about 18 months before coming to China. Luckily, I worked for some really stand-up guys, but I remember seeing so much corruption and outrageousness unfold as it was happening. The whole McGreevy resignation was such a farce – insulting, in fact, to anyone who cares about gay/lesbian issues. Then there was the whole deal with James Treffinger, later with Neil Cohen and the child pornography, on and on. It was eye-opening and fascinating to work right in the midst of all this.

    • zoharOctober 26, 2010 at 8:32 pm

      Pete, thanks for the kind words. The funny thing with Neil Cohen is that he shared an office with Sen. Ray Lesniak and Assemblyman Joseph Cryan (both D-Union). Joe Cryan is a double/triple dipper who is also an undersheriff in town.

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