Book excerpt: "Summer in the city takes a clear look at John Lindsay’s tenure as mayor of New York City during the tumultuous 1960s, when President Lyndon Johnson launched his ambitions great society program. Providing an even-handed reassessment of Lindsay’s legacy and the policies of the period, the essays in this volume skillfully dissect his kaleidoscope of progressive ideas and approach to leadership. Written by prize-winning authors and leading scholars, each chapter covers a distinct aspect of Lindsay’s mayoralty. Joseph P. Viteritti’s introductory and concluding essays offer an honest and nuanced portrait of Lindsay and the prospects of shaping more balanced public priorities as New York City ushers in a new era of progressive leadership."--Page 4 of cover.