Al D’Amato finally got to tell his side of the story in his memoir Power, Pasta, & Politics, where Al D’Amato tells about his childhood, entry into politics, and career as New York’s Senator. “Senator Pothole” tells the story of growing up in an Italian-American family (his childhood nickname was “Tippy”), and how he managed to work himself up from Long Island politics into the US Senate. Power Pasta & Politics gives readers an inside look at the Senate Banking Committee, and the power politics can expedite or totally hinder any policy progress.

Al D’Amato, who was elected during the 1980 Ronald Reagan landslide, talks about political opportunists and opportunities. He describes a Reagan lunch appointment in a humorous fashion: “First, the White House called to insist that we had to have lunch at a restaurant in Little Italy with ‘no connections.’ Easier said than done. How was I supposed to know? Did they expect me to ask? ‘I’d like to make a reservation for twelve, no smoking, and oh, by the way, do you have organized-crime connections?” When Al D’Amato scoped out restaurants for the President, it seemed everyone wanted to serve the Commander-in-Chief. “My office was besieged with calls from restaurants in Little Italy offering to host the President. The most memorable one came from a man who said, “I have the best restaurant. If you bring the President here, he eats for free.’”

Al D’Amato gives an insightful analysis of the President George H.W. Bush’s failed campaign for a second term. He also sounds a warning that the Republicans could still lose the elections of 1996, regardless of the gains they made in 1994. While he does praise arch-rival President Bill Clinton as a skilled politician, Al D’Amato has plenty of criticism for the Democratic President.

Al D’Amato also sets the record straight about the host of false and unproven allegations about his dishonest ways. He exposes that these false charges were just political attack jobs, and talks about public figures who would gain from his political demise.

All in all, Power, Pasta & Politics is a riveting look inside the ultimate halls of power of the US Senate. Senator Pothole (a nickname Al D’Amato is proud of, as it reflected his fierce devotion to his local constituents) shows that despite all the backroom dealing and political skullduggery, democracy in America is still alive and well.