The Politics of Rage: George Wallace, the Origins of the New Conservatism, and the Transformation...
Combining biography with regional and national history, Dan T. Carter chronicles the dramatic story of George Wallace, a man who started in politic...
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Jan 09, 2011
Kate
rated it: 
Outstanding biography of George Wallace, former governor of Alabama and four-time Presidential candidate ('64, '68, '72 and '76) who the author describes as "the most influential loser" in 20th-century American politics.
Though this book was written in 1995, it seems especially appropriate today as Wallace's rhetoric bears striking similarities to Tea Party candidates (white backlash over racial issues, anti-intellectualism, calling political enemies Communists or Socialists, More...
Though this book was written in 1995, it seems especially appropriate today as Wallace's rhetoric bears striking similarities to Tea Party candidates (white backlash over racial issues, anti-intellectualism, calling political enemies Communists or Socialists, More...
Jun 09, 2010
Mary
rated it: 
Martin Luther King, Jr. was one of the first to understand the significance of George Wallace's political career, calling him "perhaps the most dangerous racist in America today." King went on to say, "I am not sure that he believes all the poison he preaches, but he is artful enough to convince others that he does."
Carter's definitive biography of Wallace is not exactly light reading, but it is a worthwhile slog, and invaluable for understanding Wallace's longev More...
Carter's definitive biography of Wallace is not exactly light reading, but it is a worthwhile slog, and invaluable for understanding Wallace's longev More...
Nov 05, 2007
Jon
rated it:
Archie Bunker by way of Faulkner, Barry Goldwater by way of Hank Williams. Wallace reinvented American politics. He brought the South north. He is the most talented, most entertaining politician ever (besides Lincoln and Huey Long) and the most terrifying, a force of pure evil. Carter calls him "the most important loser in the 20th Century American politics."
His best rhetorical flourishes are still the bread and butter of Republican politics -- he invented the thing where y More...
His best rhetorical flourishes are still the bread and butter of Republican politics -- he invented the thing where y More...
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Jul 21, 2011
Craig
rated it:
Very interesting look at the life of George Wallace, a disturbing character who we learn a little about, but never really learn what drove him to the depths of anger and rage that fueled his decades in power. I would have liked to have seen more analysis although as a biography, perhaps that an intentional move by Dan Carter.
Oct 03, 2007
mary
rated it:
I tell people about this book all the time; it articulates when and why the Republican party shifted so far right, which groups it appealed & rhetorically catered to now and then, and which politicians have been savvy (or cynical, or plain old opportunistic, depending on how you look at it) enough to take advantage of the split in American political ideologies as a means to power. The more I read about the 1968 election, the more I understand that it was the nexus of the progressive movement and
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Nov 16, 2008
Jillaire
rated it: 
This biography of George Wallace was assigned to me in a college class. We only read excerpts, but after I completed my degreee I went back and read the whole thing. It's an interesting look at a seriously racist man who had a lot of influence during a tumultuous time in our country.
Apr 25, 2007
Ariel
rated it:
It's an interesting book--I don't know that's it's really anything more than a Wallace biography, but there's nothing wrong with biography (I have recently admitted). I was reading it for work, but it's a pleasurable read.
May 23, 2008
Michael
rated it:
In addition to the book, I would also recommend the 1999 PBS-American Experience program "George Wallace: Settin' The Woods On Fire".
Nov 07, 2011
AC
rated it:
Solid review of a sordid piece of American history. A bit stiff, as regards the writing
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