The man who ran the subways : the story of Mike Quill / L. H. Whittemore.

Includes bibliographic references (pages 301-303) and index.

Part one. The making of a councilman - 1938 -- Part two. Santo and Quill -- Part three. Red Mike -- Part four. the purge - 1948 -- Part five. The making of a non statesman - 1955 -- Part six. Spies, rebellion and power -- Part seven. The strike.

"In this unique biography, journalist L. H. Whittemore captures the elusive being who was Michael J. Quill, president of the Transport Workers Union of America and one of the most witty and controversial men in American labour history. Whittmore recreates Quill's tumultuous life - from his revolutionary adolescence in Ireland through his association with communists and conservatives, Catholics and Jews, left-wingers and right-wingers, bums, mayors, statesmen, and Presidents - culminating in the 1966 transit strike that paralyzed New York City for twelve days. With wonderful insight the author makes clear that it was Quill himself who created the "Quill image," standing in the center of the storm he created and thoroughly enjoying himself until, waving his blackthorn stick, he said a final goodbye to the world by grandly announcing that he had to go to the "tylet." Quill's death marked the end of an era. Both the man his times are brilliantly evoked in The Man Who Ran The Subways, one of the most lively biographies of a contemporary American." - From book jacket.