Okay, so today I decided to dive into “The Prince of Providence,” which is basically about Buddy Cianci, the former mayor of Providence, Rhode Island. I’ve heard about this guy – super corrupt, but also somehow made the city better? It’s a wild story, so I wanted to see what all the fuss was about.
Getting Started
First, I grabbed a copy of the book. Honestly, it’s pretty thick, so I knew this wasn’t going to be a quick read. I poured myself a cup of coffee, found a comfy spot on the couch, and started reading.
Diving Deep
The first few chapters were all about Cianci’s early life and how he got into politics. It was interesting to see how he started as a prosecutor, going after corrupt officials, and then… well, you know. I spent a good couple of hours just getting through this part, taking notes here and there on the major events.
- Started as a prosecutor, fighting corruption. Ironic, right?
- Rose through the ranks pretty quickly. Charisma seemed to be his superpower.
- Got elected mayor, promising to clean up the city.
The Thick of It
Then, things got really juicy. The book detailed all the scandals, the backroom deals, and the straight-up criminal activity. I mean, this guy was taking bribes, shaking down businesses, and running the city like his personal piggy bank. I kept shaking my head, thinking, “How did this guy get away with it for so long?” I was reading and reading and reading, highlighting sentences left and right!
The Fall (and Rise?)
Eventually, of course, Cianci got caught. The FBI swooped in, and he ended up in prison. But here’s the crazy part: after he got out, he ran for mayor AGAIN! And people almost voted for him! That’s the part that really blew my mind. I finished the book late at night, feeling like I’d just watched a crazy movie.
So, that was my day with “The Prince of Providence.” I read the whole thing, took tons of notes, and came away with a much better understanding of this insane chapter in American political history. It was a long read, but completely worth it.
