College of Staten Island Adjunct Professor of Political Science and U.S. history Terry Golway was recently featured on WNYC’s All Of It with Alison Stewart, in a special segment titled “Patience and Fortitude: A History of Mayor La Guardia.” The broadcast, which coincided with the 100th anniversary of WNYC, explored the life and legacy of Fiorello La Guardia, one of New York City’s most influential mayors.

La Guardia, known for leading the city through the turbulent years following the Great Depression, the rise of Nazi Germany, and World War II, left an indelible mark on New York City’s infrastructure and governance. The special examined how La Guardia’s decisions reshaped the city’s landscape, including his unification of the subway system, the creation of the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA), and his complicated relationship with Parks Commissioner Robert Moses.

“La Guardia had so much integrity and personal honesty, and he truly believed in the spirit of public service,” explained Golway. “He saw elected office as an opportunity to improve the lives of everyday New Yorkers. He didn’t try to capitalize on his fame and power. La Guardia’s integrity comes shining through in my book.”

Golway is the author of I Never Did Like Politics: How Fiorello La Guardia Became America’s Mayor, And Why He Still Matters, and provided expert insights into La Guardia’s multifaceted career, exploring the triumphs and challenges of his time in office. The conversation also touched upon La Guardia’s direct connection with the city’s residents through his famous Talks to the People radio broadcasts that reached an audience of two million New Yorkers each week.

In the special, Golway delved into the complexities of La Guardia’s leadership, discussing his ability to unite a diverse city during difficult times, his progressive policies, and his profound connection with the public, which still resonates today.

“I was delighted to be a part of WNYC’s centennial, which happened to coincide with the publication of the book,” said Golway, who has been interviewed by WNYC several times on the program due to his knowledge of the subject matter. “La Guardia made wonderful use of WNYC back in the 1930s and early 1940s, when the city actually owned the station, and his shows became must-listen radio. He used his show to keep New Yorkers informed about his administration and everyday issues like the price of certain meats on a given week — during World War II, the country rationed food and other products, so La Guardia helped New Yorkers deal with the rationing process. I hope listeners were able to realize why La Guardia remains the gold standard for New York City mayors. He was honest. He had such great charisma. He was authentic, and he was always on the side of everyday New Yorkers. I think that came across on the show.” 

The All Of It episode, which aired live on WNYC, highlighted not only La Guardia’s political legacy but also his personal style, marked by an irreverent humor and a deep commitment to public service. Golway’s appearance was a great chance for listeners interested in understanding one of the 20th Century’s most iconic political figures.

For those who missed the live airing, the Patience and Fortitude special is available online via WNYC’s Website, part of a broader collection of programming celebrating WNYC’s 100 years of storytelling and public service.

Golway is a graduate of CSI with a BA in political science. His Ph.D. is from Rutgers University (US History, 2012). Born on Staten Island, he was a reporter and editor for the Staten Island Advance from 1973 to 1986. He’s also been an editorial board member of the New York Times, city editor and columnist at the New York Observer and Albany editor at Politico.

For more information on WNYC’s centennial celebrations and to listen to the episode, visit WNYC’s centennial page.