Born and raised in New York City, Rudy Giuliani dreamed of becoming the first Italian American president of the United States. With unwavering ambition and drive, he set out to achieve that goal, attending law school and working for the U.S. Justice Department under President Gerald Ford and, later, under President Ronald Reagan. Giuliani found his true calling when he was elected mayor of New York City. With his strict policies and devotion to cleaning up the crime ridden streets of New York, Giuliani played a key part in revitalizing the city, bringing crime rates down and tourism rates up. But as his time in office progressed, his administration was marred by controversy, and it seemed as though he might quietly retire from politics. All that changed, though, on September 11, 2001. Mayor Giuliani responded quickly and decisively to the terrorist attacks, working at Ground Zero to help people get rescued and hospitalized, and ensuring the safety of all New Yorkers. In the days and weeks following the attacks, Giuliani became the voice of hope and revitalization in the damaged city. With his heroic actions revitalizing his flagging political career and redrawing the national spotlight, Giuliani's future in politics seems assured. It is a future that might just find this native New Yorker in Washington, maybe even in the White House. Book jacket.