Just finished ‘Empire Statesman. The Rise and Redemption of Al Smith’ by Robert A Slayton. The story of the young boy (Alfred E Smith, New York 1873 - 1944), who grew from very modest Irish immigrant beginnings in the Forth Ward and - mostly through hard work and self education and development - became a four-term Governor of New York and, in 1928 the Democratic candidate for the presidency. A very beloved politician who stood up for the poor, minorities, Catholics, and immigrants and showed and told everyone who could hear his loud voice that these people - his people - had the right to be called Americans. Robert Slayton has done a great job! #alsmith #nygovernor #nyc #robertslayton (at Upper East Side) https://www.instagram.com/p/CZDIRN0JgpP/?utm_medium=tumblr