| The Meanest Man in Congress: Jack Brooks and the Making of an American Century Contributor(s): McNulty, Brendan (Author), McNulty, Timothy (Author), Wright, Jim (Preface by) |
|
 |
ISBN: 1588383210 ISBN-13: 9781588383211 Publisher: NewSouth Books OUR PRICE: $29.66 Product Type: Hardcover Published: May 2019 |
| Additional Information |
| BISAC Categories: - Biography & Autobiography | Political - History | United States - State & Local - Southwest (az, Nm, Ok, Tx) |
| Dewey: B |
| LCCN: 2018060111 |
| Physical Information: 1.7" H x 6" W x 9.1" (2.00 lbs) 576 pages |
| Themes: - Cultural Region - Southwest U.S. |
| Descriptions, Reviews, Etc. |
| Publisher Description: A native of Beaumont, Texas, and a World War II veteran, Jack Brooks represented Texas's Ninth District for forty-two years in the U.S. Congress. One of the most influential congressmen you've never heard of, the indefatigable Brooks is finally getting his due in this first full biography. The Meanest Man in Congress chronicles in fascinating detail not only a remarkable lawmaker's career--spanning the tenures of ten U.S. presidents--but also the epic sweep of American history in the latter half of the twentieth century, from the Kennedy assassination to the Iran-Contra affair. Packed with anecdotes based on Brooks's personal correspondence, interviews with his peers and family members, and more, this meticulously researched biography traces the incredible life and times of a true public servant, a man who applied his tenacious will to practical, across-the-aisle governance for the good of his constituents and his country. At a time when Brooks's brand of selfless service is in short supply and American politics has become a zero-sum game, distinguished authors Timothy McNulty and Brendan McNulty bring into high relief the character of a man who knew how to compromise and bargain, negotiate and cooperate to get things done. |
Contributor Bio(s): McNulty, Timothy: - Timothy McNulty's long career in journalism includes stints as a national, foreign and White House correspondent for the Chicago Tribune. He later became the newspaper's associate managing editor and public editor. Before retiring, he taught at the University of Chicago and at Northwestern University's Medill School, where he co-directed the National Security Journalism Initiative. He holds degrees from Wayne State University in Detroit and Georgetown University in Washington, D.C. He currently lives in Durham, N.C.McNulty, Brendan: - Brendan McNulty's interest in politics began during a Capitol Hill internship with Representative Robert Matsui and writing for the Democratic National Committee during the 2004 presidential campaign. With degrees from IE Business School in Madrid and the University of Virginia, he has written papers and journal articles on topics from street crime in Chicago to education and behavioral studies in Haiti and other developing countries. He works for the World Bank in Washington, D.C.Wright, Jim: - Jim Wright, Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives (1987-1989), hailed from Fort Worth and was a lifelong friend of Jack Brooks. The two followed similar paths; when Brooks went off to the Marines in World War II, Wright joined the Air Force. They both attended the University of Texas and Wright joined Brooks in the Texas State Legislature and then the House of Representatives. Wright was born four days after Brooks and used to tell people of how he'd spent his entire life trying to catch up to Brooks and never did. |