Huey Long by T. Harry Williams
|
List Price: Our Price: $14.93 You Save: $10.07 (40%) Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Buy Used: from $2.94 (click here) Category: Book See more book details and other editions |
|---|
Book Reviews of Huey Long
Book Review: Politics 101
Summary: 5 Stars
Academic historians spend a lot of time complaining about the merits of so called popular history. This is of course mostly due to the fact that popular histories outsell what the academics turn out causing the academics to cry foul. I have read a fair amount of both types of history and have always felt that if the academics would turn out books that weren't so dull they could attract readers also. In his biography of Huey Long, T. Harry Williams delivers absolute proof that academics can turn out extremely interesting books. This book is fascinating from cover to cover and anyone who is considering a career in government should read this biography of one of the cleverest politicians of all time. Historians often crucify the Kingfish but Williams doesn't follow that course. He simply presents the story and lets the reader decide whether Long was a hero or a villain. Huey's tactics were ruthless there is no doubt but in order to break the power of the Bourbon ruling class of Louisiana there was little alternative. This elite ruling class was thoroughly entrenched and had been grinding the people of Louisiana under their feet for years. Long may have indeed become a dictator but he broke the power of the Bourbons and brought Louisiana out of the 18th century. Huey's list of accomplishments is far too long for a review of this type but there is one area that must be mentioned. Huey gave to the people of Louisiana the key that would open the door to a brighter future by finally giving people a chance to get an education. For the first time children in Louisiana received free textbooks and LSU was built into a major institution of higher learning. He also created a medical school at LSU so those qualified citizens of the State that couldn't pay the high tuition at Tulane could still become doctors. Not only did this let the children of the middle class attend medical school, but also it also greatly improved the access of the people to medical care.
There is of course no doubt that Long had his bad side also and Williams doesn't cover it up. This is a very fair and balanced biography and the author's writing style is marvelous. Do not let the size of this work intimidate you, there are no tedious sections and chapters that will make your eyelids heavy. Williams relies heavily on oral history in this book. He has done dozens if not hundreds of interviews with Long's family, his associates, his supporters, and his enemies. Most of Long's communications were face to face or over the phone so this method was critical to the success of this work, and a success it is.
Many biographies are credited with being the definitive work on the subject's life. Sometimes with justification, sometimes without. In this case there is great justification for the definitive label. Nothing before or since has come close to Williams' work. If you want to understand the Kingfish, Louisiana politics, or just study a political genus at work, this is the book to read hands down.
Book Review: Huey Long
Summary: 5 Stars
Huey Long was truly a unique figure in American life. By being such a colorful personality, being so powerful, and having such a long term influence on the country, and yet he was in public life for less than a decade. This is the classic Huey Long biography, and, along with the novel All the King's Men, will remain the go-to source for information about the Kingfish. T. Harry Williams, one of the 20th century's eminent Southern historians, has told the complete story, and told it flawlessly. He interviewed hundreds of people, and had access to volumes of papers pertaining to the Longs. In an amusing anecdote, he even reveals the contributions of Huey's son, Senator Russell Long. Williams provides not only Huey's life story, but the circumstances that made his rise possible. All aspects of rural and urban life in Depression-era Louisiana are described, as are the unique set of reprobates that made up Governor, and later Senator, Huey Long's retinue. In an era before psycho-biography, the author delves into how Long's relationship with his parents shaped his worldview, and how it contributed to his success. Williams is equally effective when describing Huey's power on the national scene, and FDR's concern about a possible Long candidacy. He also sheds some light on the mystery surrounding Huey Long's assassination, and some of the motives behind it. His depictions of Long on the stump are the next best thing to newsreel footage of the Kingfish on the stump. Forget all of the movies, and all of the stories, and read this book. The truth is always more exciting, and often less believable than fiction.Book Review: The finest political biography ever written
Summary: 5 Stars
Since reading Williams' great bio of Huey Long, I have become fascinated by the Kingfish and have been looking for anything about him to absorb. That says a lot about the book. While Caro's books on LBJ are considered the gold standard of political bios, this book is slightly better. It is so detailed and so fascinating that you can breeze through the nearly 1000 pages in no time. I suppose the one thing that stands out is how Williams is able to effectively show that Long was not the political boogeyman he is often painted as by historians like Arthur Schlesinger, Jr. and many others. Yes, Huey was a flawed man and showed some dictatorial shades. But he also did many great things for Louisiana and was forced to use political heavy-handedness to deal with the vicious party machines that had controlled Louisiana prior to Long's emergence in 1928.
One could argue that Williams was a little too pro-Kingfish. He attempts to tone down many of Huey's character flaws and doesn't spend much time on Long's movement of state militia troops into New Orleans in an attempt to oust Mayor Walmsley. Nevertheless, despite this flaw, the book does well to balance against the very anti- Long views espoused by most historians.
I would suggest reading this book along with Garry Bouldard's book on Long's "siege" of New Orleans, and Ken Burn's outstanding Long biodrama. Both are available here on Amazon. Either way, this book was the best biography I have ever read and I would recommend it to any one with an interest in politics or with an interest in reading a compelling book.
Book Review: The Kingfish!
Summary: 5 Stars
As I picked up this book to learn more about depression era politics, I thought that this would be just another boring book about a politican. But as I kept on reading I started to realize that this is the best biography about powerful politicans. No one except for FDR could match Huey's hold on people and subordiantes. You have to understand that Long controoled all the branches of government in Louisiana. The judicial, legislative, and executive. No one person has been able to control a state the way Long did. What I like more about this book is William's style in telling the story. He puts in boring statistics and the seconds that with an interesting or funny side note, which made the book easier to read. No wonder he recieved the Pulitzer Prize for biography for this book. But what is more important is that Williams helps you and even him in trying to understand the man, which is important when reading any biography. He just didn't tell what he did but why he did it or William's comes to his on conclusions based on his research. It is a lengthy book, but don't worry just sit and read and let yourself be absorbed. You will not regret it. Praise to T. Harry Williams, he has written the best biography that anyone could possibly read. Thanks!Book Review: One of America's True Radicals
Summary: 5 Stars
One reality about America that separates us from our European heritage is the ability of our citizens, solely through their own efforts, to rise from total obscurity, seize the mantle of public attention, and become inexplicably polarizing figures. A few examples are Andrew Jackson, Abraham Lincoln, Richard Nixon, Bill Clinton. Huey Long was one of these people. This excellent biography tells the story of Huey's rise from nothing, his erascibility as a child, his drive and energy and ultimately his tireless efforts to push Franklin Roosevelt toward a more progressive agenda. Too often, people such as Huey who challenge the status quo end up dead at the hands of an assassin. As a citizen of Louisiana, however, I can guarantee you that Huey's influence lives on today, for better or worse. Very few people would agree today with Huey's policies or his tactics, but, you have to tip your hat to him, he shook things up and left a lasting impression. Williams' biography, often characterized (erroneously) as pro-Huey, brings Huey's impact to life in a neutral but intriguing way.