This work investigates how concentrated political and economic power in New York City was utilized to serve private interests at the expense of the public good. The authors, both seasoned journalists, analyze the mechanisms of municipal governance and the influence of elite networks during a period of significant urban crisis. By examining specific policy decisions and financial maneuvers, they argue that the city's administrative structures were systematically manipulated to benefit a select few.

Critics and historians frequently cite this text as a primary source for understanding the mechanics of urban political machines in the late 20th century. Readers often note the dense, investigative nature of the prose which prioritizes factual documentation over abstract theory.