Analysis Of The Bronx Is Burning By Jonathan Mahler

The summer of 1977 was a time period of struggle and despair for the city of New York that would leave one to question if the city would ever rebound. However, through the growth of the city, the expansion of the government, and the emergence of consumption and leisure throughout the economy, the city was able to recover to make the city stronger than ever. The book, “The Bronx is Burning” by Jonathan Mahler, clearly exemplifies and goes into much detail about the trials and tribulations that the New York City people were going through at the time. It delves into politics, the economy, sports, health and public safety in a time of great peril. The city of New York began its decline under Mayor Abe Beame, whom stepped into office in 1974.
(Bronx, 245) “The similarities amongst the cases were hard to ignore. Not only had all the victims been young women or couples in the outer boroughs, but the weapon used in every attack was a .44 caliber charter arms revolver”. (Bronx, 247) The gun on the other hand proved to be no use on identifying the subject. Out of the 28,000 .44 caliber revolvers produced, 667 accounts of this item were reported stolen. (Bronx, 249) Apparently frustrated with the lack of progress in the summer of 1977 the “Son of Sam” proceeded to taunt both the papers and the police departments, claiming that he “can’t stop killing”, and “Sam’s a thirsty lad and he won’t let me stop killing until he gets his fill of blood”. (Bronx, 254) Citizens didn’t primarily help either. Women were calling into service hotlines naming husbands, ex-husbands, and boyfriends as suspects. As each day passed without an arrest, Mayor Abe Beame's reelection chances grew slimmer and slimmer as opponents such as Abzug, Cuomo and the eventual winner, Ed Koch, pressured him for failing to keep the city safe. “Like the tidal wave of looting and arson that accompanied the blackout, the .44 caliber killer hysteria had altered New Yorkers
Once again the highly coveted World Series trophy was back in New York. “It was clear now that their New York was going to be different. The city had once dared to fly in the face of capitalism could no longer aspire to be all things to its entire people. New York’s future belonged not to labor bosses, political power brokers, or social visionaries but to entrepreneurs; between 1977 and 1985, the private sector created more jobs in the city than the 50’s and 60’s combined.” (Bronx, 318) During Koch’s tenure, virtually all of New York’s new construction would be undertaken by private developers. After taking office on the first day of 1978, Koch ran the newly reformed city much as he had run his campaign for mayor. He would pursue his duties as mayor with ruthlessness and realistic goals. “Ed Koch became the irrepressible, wisecracking cabbie, the city’s mascot as much as its mayor.” (Bronx, 318) His handling of a transit strike in the early 1980’s was far more productive than the previous one under former mayor, John Lindsay. Koch was determined to prevent the strike from crippling the city or deflating its spirit. He expected everyone to report back to work and proceeded to