Dirty Waters: Confessions of Chicago's Last Harbor Boss

R. J. Nelson was a former radical college chaplain who was hired by the city of Chicago in 1987 to clean up corruption on the waterfront. His memoir, Dirty Waters, details his time controlling some of the city's most beautiful spots and facing its ugliest traditions. It is a tale of morality, of what it takes to be a force for good in the world, and the struggles that come from trying to stay ethically afloat in a sea of corruption.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 304 pages
Publication date: 19 February 2023
Publisher: The University of Chicago Press

In 1987, the city of Chicago hired a former radical college chaplain to clean up rampant corruption on the waterfront. R. J. Nelson thought he was used to the darker side of the law—he had been followed by federal agents and wiretapped due to his antiwar stances in the sixties—but nothing could prepare him for the wretched bog that constituted the world of a Harbor Boss.

Dirty Waters is the wry, no-holds-barred memoir of Nelson's time controlling some of the city's most beautiful spots while facing some of its ugliest traditions. Nelson takes us through Chicago's beloved "blue spaces" and deep into the city's political morass, revealing the different moralities underlining three mayoral administrations and navigating the gritty mechanisms of the city's political machine. Ultimately, Dirty Waters is a tale of morality, of what it takes to be a force for good in the world and what struggles come from trying to stay ethically afloat in a sea of corruption.

Nelson's journey as a Harbor Boss began in 1987 when he was hired by the city of Chicago to clean up rampant corruption on the waterfront. Nelson had a background in law enforcement, having served as a police officer and a federal agent in the sixties. However, he was unprepared for the world of a Harbor Boss, which was a wretched bog of corruption and political machinations.

As a Harbor Boss, Nelson was responsible for overseeing the cleaning and maintenance of the city's waterways, including the Chicago River and the Lake Michigan shoreline. He also had to deal with the various stakeholders who had a stake in the waterfront, including businesses, unions, and community organizations. Nelson quickly realized that the waterfront was a complex and multifaceted world, full of different moralities and competing interests.

One of the biggest challenges Nelson faced was the corruption that permeated the waterfront. He encountered numerous officials who were willing to overlook the law in order to line their own pockets or further their own political agendas. Nelson had to navigate the treacherous waters of politics and corruption, trying to stay ethical and uphold the law while also trying to make sure that the waterfront was a safe and prosperous place for everyone.

Another challenge Nelson faced was the changing nature of the waterfront. As the city grew and changed, the waterfront became a hub for new businesses and industries, which brought with them new challenges and opportunities. Nelson had to adapt to these changes, while also trying to maintain the integrity and beauty of the waterfront.

Despite the challenges, Nelson was determined to make a difference on the waterfront. He worked tirelessly to clean up the waterways, to promote safety and prosperity, and to create a sense of community among the various stakeholders. He also worked to promote the values of environmental sustainability and social justice, believing that the waterfront should be a place that was both beautiful and sustainable.

Dirty Waters is a wry and insightful memoir that provides a behind-the-scenes look at the world of a Harbor Boss. Nelson takes us through the various challenges and struggles he faced while trying to make a difference on the waterfront, and provides a thoughtful and nuanced analysis of the moralities and politics that underlie the city's waterfront.

In conclusion, Dirty Waters is a must-read for anyone who is interested in the world of politics, corruption, and environmental sustainability. R. J. Nelson's memoir provides a wry and insightful look at the challenges and struggles faced by a Harbor Boss, and provides a thoughtful and nuanced analysis of the moralities and politics that underlie the city's waterfront.

Weight: 478g
Dimension: 151 x 229 x 20 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780226826929