‘Even his enemies admired his chutzpah': How Trump became a God of New York in the 1980s
The back cover of this history of New York calls it 'a real-life Bonfire of the Vanities'. Tom Wolfe's bestselling 1987 novel about a bond trader who comes a cropper in a very serious way is also referred to within the text, but the extended dramatis personae and the scope of events covered here would have even the author famed for his white suit throwing his hands up in defeat. It's closer to the Thackeray that inspired Wolfe or even the richly-detailed doorstops of the Russian masters.
Mahler has form for this kind of thing. A staff writer for the New York Times with a wide remit, he authored 2005's Ladies and Gentlemen, the Bronx is Burning which covered the Big Apple in the late 1970s, culturally and politically, while also finding room for the arrival of Rupert Murdoch, the New York Yankees, the Son of Sam murders and the blackout of 1977. The Gods of New York takes up the story of the city, and pretty much everything in it, through the latter half of the 1980s.
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Irish Examiner
14 hours ago
- Irish Examiner
Dating and sex: What's love got to do with it?
What's love got to do with it? IN a new film about a New York matchmaker, in the glitzy, hollow world of high-end dating, not being rich rules you out as a contender, no matter how hot, charming or clever you are. M aterialists, directed by Korean-American writer and director Celine Song, stars Dakota Fanning, Pedro Pascal, and Chris Evans and is based on Song's experience of working as a matchmaker in her early 20s. She quit to make her first film, 2023's quietly magnificent Past Lives, which was nominated for two Oscars — it's about a South Korean woman, married in the US, who emotionally reconnects with her Korean first love — but has revisited matchmaking in her second film to explore the disconnect between dating and falling in love, and how relationship economics depersonalise. This is a people economy where individuals repeatedly sell themselves to each other, while keeping tight hold of the receipt. People in Song's film have lists, non-negotiables, tick-boxes: 'Nobody with an over 20 BMI'; 'Nobody who likes cats'; 'An income over 500 grand'. Song is deeply invested in love, asking rhetorically in a New York Times interview, 'What's more important?' People, she says, are her 'drug of choice', but she's happily married to a man with whom she shares many connections. She thinks that, unlike dating, love is easy. Especially compared to American dating, where it's not just accepted, but expected, to be transactional and materialistic, to turn falling in love in to a business deal. In her 2011 book Honey Money: The Power Of Erotic Capital, Dr Catherine Hakim — a sociologist at the London School of Economics — urged women to harness their erotic capital, which she defined as a combination of 'beauty, social skills, good dress sense, physical fitness, liveliness, sex appeal, and sexual competence' — to attract a high-quality mate. How very Jane Austen. But had we not left such Mrs Bennett-type activity in the past? Survival of the 'fittest' Today, although women are financially independent, pregnancy requires us to take time off work, which puts us at a financial disadvantage. Even now, in 2025, our careers and incomes continue to suffer when we pause to have children, hence the need to have a partner to share the responsibilities. This has been the basis of human reproductive relationships since the dawn of time. 'Attraction to financial stability in partners does have evolutionary roots,' says psychologist Dr Malie Coyne. 'Historically, financial status was always important in mate selection, because, for our ancestors, a partner's ability to provide resources, like food, shelter, and protection, was directly linked to survival and the wellbeing of offspring. 'This financial stability remains relevant today, as it provides long-term security and stability, but, obviously, it shouldn't overshadow the emotional and interpersonal compatibility. 'In terms of the increase in the cost of living, particularly in areas of housing, education, and healthcare, it has made this financial stability more of an immediate and practical concern in forming relationships — maybe more so than a few years ago. In a world where people are facing rising expenses, economic stability becomes less of a luxury and more of a basic necessity for many, which will then likely contribute to this increased emphasis on financial compatibility in modern relationships…to avoid future stress or financial strain. 'We are looking for compatibility in all areas of life with a prospective partner, and financial stability is just one of those areas.' Dakota Johnson as Lucy and Pedro Pascal as Harry in Materialists. Song highlights how dating, with its lists and its demands, is all about control, even though falling in love with another person is one of the few things over which we have very little control: It just happens. Whether you're rich enough to afford a matchmaker or, like the majority, make do with swipe apps, dating has been reduced to an activity akin to shopping. 'The ease of online dating and the emphasis on shopping lists, which is more the Tinder culture of swiping through profiles based on material attributes, have intensified this focus,' says Coyne. 'Online dating promotes snap judgements, narrowing the scope for proper connection. 'People might overlook potential chemistry due to these surface-level factors, like financial status. 'The rise of individualism and financial independence has also altered how we view financial compatibility. In earlier times, a partner's financial situation would have been more critical because women were dependent on men for their security. 'The cultural shifts towards more transactional relationships, where qualities like financial status are weighed more heavily, are partly a response to the modern pressures we face. But it's important to note that relationships have always involved exchanges: Emotional, social, financial. Relationships involve exchanges, which sounds less romantic.' Unless, of course, you're only interested in sexual connection, in which case someone's financial status isn't important. It all depends on your priorities. Love not a set of criteria Rather than writing lists of your ideal partner's qualities and attributes, actual dating is the best way to find out if they are suitable. I went out with someone who didn't have the price of a cinema ticket, followed by someone who owned five houses; neither relationship worked long-term. We were out of sync. Financial values extend beyond how much you have in the bank; they are about attitudes to work, use of time, and how you want to live. 'Face-to-face interactions allow for a fuller, more authentic connection, like humour and warmth, which may not be captured online,' says Coyne. 'To counter the transactional, surface-level nature of online dating, meeting in person allows for an organic discovery of compatibility. The goal is to embrace vulnerability and make space for unexpected emotional connection, which might transcend the shopping-list mentality. I'd suggest becoming friends with your partner beforehand and seeing if your values align. Finances will not be the main thing.' Or, as Song reminds us, if we are too hung up on someone's bank balance or height, what happens if they change their job, or grow old and shrink? However, there's a big difference between expecting a prospective partner to be a 6'4' fintech squillionaire with a six-pack and a penthouse and disempowering yourself by partnering with someone to whom you cede financial control. 'Who holds the purse strings often holds the power in the relationship, even when it comes to booking and paying for couples therapy,' says Orlagh Reid, a psychotherapist and Gottman method couples therapist. 'Traditionally — and sadly still the case across Ireland — we know that women earn far less than their male counterparts as they tend to dedicate time to raising families, caring for elders, and are less financially secure. 'As a result, money can become a bargaining tool when things begin to decline in relationships and marriages. For women, in a world of gender inequality, it should be high on their priority list to be financially stable, secure, and compatible when it comes to money matters.' Money is one of the top-five causes of relationship breakdown. 'Finances — including attitudes and values towards money and wealth, which may include work ethic and education — should be relatively high on the list of priorities when choosing a life partner,' Reid says. 'I have seen first-hand in my practice how many men resort to financial, coercive control of their partners. I believe it's probably the most prevalent form of abuse and control in modern-day relationships. 'Sadly, money does still equal power and freedom, so I would encourage younger women and men to become financially independent and focus on their professional lives first, before investing in any long-term relationship, to ensure equality and stability later in life.' Like Coyne, she urges us to remember that while compatible financial attitudes are important — even if you earn the same, if you're a saver and your partner's a splurger, or vice versa, this can be tricky — long-term compatibility extends far beyond money. 'Healthy, sustainable relationships depend on different aspects of compatibility,' Reid says. 'Communication styles, emotional compatibility and intelligence, values, equality, respect, family values, gender roles and fundamental similarities rather than differences. 'Money may not be initially an important topic, while chemistry and desire are running high, but it should be a non-negotiable topic to discuss at length to establish compatibility for long-term relationship success. Attitudes and values towards money, saving, spending, investing, planning, and making life dreams come true are all important.' So, while you may find the idea of an American-style shopping list ridiculous, do yourself and your prospective life partner a favour and have the money talk before you make any big decisions together. 'Materialists' opens in cinemas today
Irish Independent
a day ago
- Irish Independent
Nobody 2 review: Bob Odenkirk should probably throw in the towel as America's most unlikely action hero in silly sequel
God loves a trier, and in the first Nobody film, Odenkirk's Hutch went above and beyond to protect his clan from a group of violent Russian gangsters. In this sequel, Hutch books an emergency family holiday at a run-down water park in middle America. It's where his dad David (Christopher Lloyd, enjoying himself as a retired FBI chief), took Hutch and his brother Harry (RZA) when they were kids. Hutch's better half Becca (Connie Nielsen) appreciates the gesture, but trouble never takes a vacation and our man has only just ordered his first summer hot dog when a head-the-ball sheriff (Colin Hanks) enters the picture. Business as usual? Not quite. The joke is rustier this time around and poor Sharon Stone, overacting herself into oblivion, is perhaps miscast as the real baddie of the tale. Is there some fun to be had with the Odenkirk fisticuffs extravaganza? A bit. Should we award an extra star for the 89-minute run-time? I think so. Just leave it there now, Bob.
The Irish Sun
a day ago
- The Irish Sun
Michael ‘Venom' Page to make championship weight in case of UFC 319 main event collapse as he nears shock MW title shot
Watch the Brit reveal his plans in the video above MIKE DROP Michael 'Venom' Page to make championship weight in case of UFC 319 main event collapse as he nears shock MW title shot MICHAEL 'VENOM' PAGE never in his wildest dreams thought about fighting for the middleweight title when he joined the UFC two years ago. But despite entering the promotion as a welterweight, he finds himself potentially just TWO fights away from vying for the 185lbs belt. 8 Michael 'Venom' Page returns to the octagon at UFC 319 Credit: GETTY 8 Fan favourite will make his second outing at middleweight Credit: GETTY Advertisement 8 Page will take on veteran 185-pounder Jared Cannonier on a stacked Chicago card Credit: GETTY 8 A dominant win could put the Brit on the cusp of a shock crack at middleweight gold Credit: GETTY Page's unexpected middleweight journey continues in the early hours of Sunday morning on a stacked UFC 319 in Chicago. His second assignment in the weight class is wily veteran Jared Cannonier, who has ambitions of making one last run at the title. Advertisement And Page knows a spectacular showing against 'The Killa Gorilla' could very well put him within touching distance of an unexpected crack at middleweight gold. In an exclusive interview with SunSport, he said of potentially moving into title contention with a win over Cannonier: "100 per cent. "And again, it's like what I say: Just keep pushing forward, keep progressing forward, as long as the fight that you get represents progression. "It does put me in a very, very good place. So this win 100 per cent [puts me in title contention]. Advertisement "I'm not sure who the next person is gonna be, but it definitely puts me in a great location for the middleweight division." Page was all set on returning to welterweight after winning his middleweight bow against Shara 'Bullet' Magomedov in February. SUN VEGAS WELCOME OFFER: GET £50 BONUS WHEN YOU JOIN 8 Michael 'Venom' Page reckons a win over Jared Cannonier will catapult him middleweight top five Credit: REUTERS 8 The London Shootfighters ace is eyeing his first stoppage win inside the octagon Credit: REX Advertisement But he heard nothing but crickets from the slew of contenders jockeying for position in the stacked 170lbs division after dominating the previously undefeated Russian. He said: "I was like, 'Yeah, I'm gonna get loads of requests now to push for another big fight.' And it was just silent, man. It was silent. "So you know, I was asking questions and then I was getting given names that, for me, I was like, 'This doesn't make any sense.' "I was like, 'I've just beaten someone that I'm sure had he beaten me, he would be talking title elimination next.' "'So then why am I getting a top No.20 rank and a No.22-ranked?' And in my head, I was like, 'This doesn't make any sense.' Advertisement "After speaking to a lot of people and going back and forth and so on and so forth, I realised the welterweight division is very political. "There's a lot of experienced guys that are at the top and it's a lot harder to push them to fight. "Whereas in in the middleweight division, there are a lot of up-and-coming guys, and they just wanna take fights just to try and keep proving themselves and going forward. "So I was just like, 'Yeah, let me just go to ask for a middleweight fight.' And I had a couple of names come through. "It landed on Cannonier, where it had [been] somebody else and I said yes to. Then that, I don't know, how it fell out, but it fell out. Advertisement "And then Canonnier came and confirmed and I was like, 'Yes.' To be fair, it was definitely a more exciting fight." The middleweight title will be on the line just a few hours after Page locks horns with Cannonier. It definitely puts me in a great location for the middleweight division Michael 'Venom' Page on a win over Jared Cannonier 8 The middleweight title will be on the line in UFC 319's main event Credit: UFC 8 MVP plans to make championship weight in case his services are called on Credit: GETTY And he'll will be making championship weight just in case something goes awry ahead of the eagerly anticipated showdown between champion Dricus Du Plessis and Khamzat Chimaev and back-up fighter Caio Borralho is unable to fight. Advertisement He said: " 100 per cent I'm making championship weight. Like, why, why would I not?" He added: "I'm gonna make that weight and if something was to go wrong and they asked to put me in, please understand that I'm putting my hand up. "And I'm jumping straight into that fight, like, face first into that fight. Page faces a Cannonier looking to prove he's still capable of making a run to the title at the ripe old age of 41. And at this juncture of his career, Page doesn't foresee the American deviating from what got him to the dance. Advertisement "If he's smart enough, he's gonna just want power forward," Page said." And like you say, get into cliches, get a hold of me, try and take me down to the floor, rough me up and utilise his size, utilise his strength. "And this is what we've been working for. I don't see him being able to do anything else. If he does anything else, it, it just makes the, the fight a lot easier for me. "If you try to stand, I know he's got heavy hands, but if you're gonna try to out strike me, it's gonna be a problem for you. "So again we've made the adjustments, we understand what he's gonna come in with."
