Dennis Kucinich is an author and statesman, serving 16 years in the US Congress and was twice a candidate for President. During his term as Cleveland Mayor (1977-1979) the Fraternal Order of Eagles recognized him as "The Outstanding Public Official in America." In recent years the Washington Post Magazine called Kucinich "the future of American politics." "Ahead of his time," declared Rolling Stone Magazine. Gore Vidal called Kucinich's writing "as good as Theodore Dreiser's." Ralph Nader favorably compares Kucinich's writing with the legendary muckraking journalist, Lincoln Steffens. The Division of Light and Power melds Kucinich's writing excellence with undisputable documentary power and the moral code of a leader who cannot be corrupted.
THE DIVISION OF LIGHT AND POWER
“I believe in public ownership of public service monopolies….
Because if you do not own them, they will in time own you.
They will corrupt your politics, rule your institutions and finally destroy your liberties.”
Tom L. Johnson,
Founder of Muny Light
Mayor of Cleveland, 1901-1909
Note: All claims in this summary and in the book are fully documented.
SYNOPSIS
Private, investor-owned utilities in Texas, Ohio, California, Illinois and elsewhere are crushing consumers with sky-high rates, price gouging and criminal behavior. The Division of Light and Power is the thoroughly documented, true story of one courageous American mayor who fought, and beat, a utility monopoly in an epic battle which involved corporate espionage and sabotage, bank co-conspirators, extortion, political corruption, organized crime, mob-directed assassination attempts, congressional investigations, and media cover-ups.The “powers that be” tried to buy him, and when he couldn’t be bought, they tried to kill him. When that failed, the utility’s bank gave him a choice: Privatize the city’s electric system or the city would be thrown into default. The mayor said “no” to extortion, never gave in and saved over a billion dollars in assets for his city and its people. Meet Mayor Dennis Kucinich of Cleveland, who fought to give power to the people. Battling his way up from the streets of the city, he and his family lived in twenty-one different places by the time he was seventeen, including a couple of cars. By the age of thirty-one, as America’s youngest big-city mayor, his stand to protect Cleveland’s Muny Light against a utility monopoly and its banking partner drew international attention and praise as “The outstanding public official in America,” an award presented by Bob Hope. This is Mayor Dennis Kucinich’s story, but if you want to know why your utility rates are so high, it may be your city’s story, too.“
Distributed through Ingram, the print book, eBook and audio book will be available through all outlets within the Ingram distribution chain.
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“An engrossing narrative of city politics, corruption, and intransigence as few books before it. Lincoln Steffens, not being an insider, tried to get close, and he did, but not like Kucinich, whose courage comes through, without chest-thumping.” - Ralph Nader
“The epic struggle of a youthful mayor against a predatory utility company is a real-life municipal thriller. Dennis Kucinich’s tale of political violence and intrigue is a cross between The Godfather and Mr. Smith Goes to Washington. He took on the fat cats on behalf of the City of Cleveland. He stared them down and won one for the good guys.” - Geraldo Rivera
"The Division of Light and Power offers the inside story of historic events, while also implicitly taking us to the real time of the present; there is no more relevant book to read in 2021. Dennis Kucinich has written a vivid page-turner that’s a political barn-burner. It reads like a novel, but it’s not based on a true story -- it is a true story -- with meticulous devotion to facts, real political paradigms, and the human heart. - Norman Soloman, Executive Director, Institute for Public Accuracy
"A real life, David vs. Goliath story, of one man taking on powerful corporations and political interests... An engaging and powerful read that today is more relevant than ever." - Joe Trippi, Noted Presidential Campaign Adviser
"Skillfully written, emotionally nuanced page-turner. Kucinich ultimately gives power to the people!" - Kenneth A. Carlson, Filmmaker
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