Expected a modern style popular history. Instead found a recasting of 19th century news reports with their lurid sensationalism taken at face value. 
 But also left with an appreciation for what America once was during times of rampant corruption - we take rule of law largely for granted now, and see bribery graft and protection rackets as exceptions which CAN be stamped out. Tammany is a reminder of what can happen even in America - and that should give us humility and compassion when we see such troubles abroad.