During this last year, I’ve had several on this site ask me for political book recommendations.
I said I’d put together a thread by the end of the year, so as promised, here are some books I’ve read (or gotten decently into) in 2021.
I’ll say it’s sort of heavy on biography.
I said I’d put together a thread by the end of the year, so as promised, here are some books I’ve read (or gotten decently into) in 2021.
I’ll say it’s sort of heavy on biography.
Tuesday Night Massacre by @TheJohnsonPost
Focuses on four key Senate races in 1980; really gives you a sense of where the modern congressional campaign came from. amazon.com/Tuesday-Night-…
Focuses on four key Senate races in 1980; really gives you a sense of where the modern congressional campaign came from. amazon.com/Tuesday-Night-…
When Hell Froze Over by @DwayneYancey
Looks at Doug Wilder’s historic statewide runs in 1985 and 1989. With the #VAGov race this year, I wanted to read it — it’s still very relevant to VA politics. amazon.com/When-Hell-Froz…
Looks at Doug Wilder’s historic statewide runs in 1985 and 1989. With the #VAGov race this year, I wanted to read it — it’s still very relevant to VA politics. amazon.com/When-Hell-Froz…
The Last Great Senate by Ira Shapiro
Chronicles some of the issues the Senate faced the in Carter era — a turbulent time that needed able leaders. Robert Byrd and Howard Baker are the two main “protagonists,” tho many other senators were important too. amazon.com/Last-Great-Sen…
Chronicles some of the issues the Senate faced the in Carter era — a turbulent time that needed able leaders. Robert Byrd and Howard Baker are the two main “protagonists,” tho many other senators were important too. amazon.com/Last-Great-Sen…
Harry F. Byrd and the Changing Face of VA Politics by Harvie Wilkinson
You come out disliking Byrd as a racist cheapskate (which he was), but a great portrait of the 1945-1965 era in VA. The state is still struggling with his legacy in some ways. amazon.com/Changing-Virgi…
You come out disliking Byrd as a racist cheapskate (which he was), but a great portrait of the 1945-1965 era in VA. The state is still struggling with his legacy in some ways. amazon.com/Changing-Virgi…
Warren G. Magnuson and the Shaping of 20th Century America by Shelby Scates
Scoop Jackson got more attention, but Maggie was a consequential legislator too. He arrived in Washington only 30-ish years after it became a state; he really helped build it. amazon.com/Magnuson-Shapi…
Scoop Jackson got more attention, but Maggie was a consequential legislator too. He arrived in Washington only 30-ish years after it became a state; he really helped build it. amazon.com/Magnuson-Shapi…
The Rise and Fall of David Duke by @tegbridges
Looks at what makes Duke tick. As a kid, he wasn’t a dummy and could have done a lot with his life. So how the hell did he end up like he did? What Tyler tries to answer. amazon.com/Rise-Fall-Davi…
Looks at what makes Duke tick. As a kid, he wasn’t a dummy and could have done a lot with his life. So how the hell did he end up like he did? What Tyler tries to answer. amazon.com/Rise-Fall-Davi…
Backrooms and Bayous by @rtmannjr
On another Louisiana-related note, Bob goes over his time in state politics and shares some anecdotes of why our state is different — for better or worse 😆 amazon.com/Backrooms-Bayo…
On another Louisiana-related note, Bob goes over his time in state politics and shares some anecdotes of why our state is different — for better or worse 😆 amazon.com/Backrooms-Bayo…
Cokie: A Life Well Lived by Steve Roberts
Continuing the LA theme (Cokie was from a famous New Orleans family), her husband recounts her amazing life (she died in 2019). I appreciated her even more in this, and laughed at some of the stories. amazon.com/Cokie-Lived-St…
Continuing the LA theme (Cokie was from a famous New Orleans family), her husband recounts her amazing life (she died in 2019). I appreciated her even more in this, and laughed at some of the stories. amazon.com/Cokie-Lived-St…
Finally, I'll wrap up with one of the first books I read this year -- Voter Z by @onthelamb_. An informative and timely look at the politics of generation Z. My generation, the millennial, are old news by now; Jen looks ahead with this book. amazon.com/Voter-Z-Jennif…
*1945-1966 era, I should say.
1966 was a rough year for the Byrd Machine. Tho his son held on, two key Byrd figures -- Sen. Willis Robertson (father of Pat) and Rep. Howard Smith (who used his chairmanship of the Rules Committee to delay civil rights bills) -- lost primaries.
1966 was a rough year for the Byrd Machine. Tho his son held on, two key Byrd figures -- Sen. Willis Robertson (father of Pat) and Rep. Howard Smith (who used his chairmanship of the Rules Committee to delay civil rights bills) -- lost primaries.
Thanks to @lyndonbajohnson for getting involved against the Byrds that year :)
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