Lis Harris's extraordinary power of storytelling makes Tilting at Millsa breathtaking, heart-stopping read: part morality tale, part urbanthriller. She opens worlds and shines a clear and disturbing light onhidden places of the city's mind and heart.

IT IS NEW YORK CITY IN 1992.Unaware of the heartbreak he will en counter, the veteran environmentalist Allen Hershkowitz proposes developing a major recycled-paper mill in the city. He's tired of being outgunned too often by indus try lobbyists in legislative battles, and wants to develop an environmentally friendly and profitable business that will bring jobs to one of the city's poorest neighborhoods. What's more, the project could become a national model.

Acknowledgments vii

1 Rules of the Game 1

2 First Steps 18

3 Who's Driving This Car? 30

4 The Harlem River Railyard 48

5 Communitas 65

6 Banana Kelly: Slipping from Grace 83

7 Looking for Mr. Good Paper 9"7

8 Incrementalism and a Simple Lesson in Economics 121

9 Dancing with New Partners 131

10 Once More into the Fray 145

11 All Hands on Deck 161

12 A Rolls-Royce with a Flat 171

13 Signed, Sealed, and Deconstructed 186

14 The New Order 20"I

Appendix: Dramatis Personae 237