JAMES TRAUBhas been writing about the politics, culture, characters, and institutions of New York City for twenty-five years. Currently a contributing writer forThe New York Times Magazine, he has also served as a staff writer forThe New Yorkerand has written for the country’s leading publications in fields as diverse as foreign affairs, national politics, education, urban policy, sports, and food. He is the author of two books with New York City settings—one on the Wedtech scandal of the mid-1980s, the other on City College of New York. He lives in Manhattan with his wife and son. From the Hardcover edition.