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The Politics of Change in Georgia: A Political Biography of Ellis Arnall
This biography of Ellis Arnall follows the life and political career of the former governor from his rural Georgia upbringing through his service as state representative, attorney general, and governor to his subsequent political exile.
Arnall assumed the governorship of Georgia in 1943, becoming the youngest person in the United States ever elected to that position. In his single term (1943-1947) he initiated a series of remarkable reforms that elevated Georgia above its Tobacco Road image and stood it alongside North Carolina, then the South's most progressive state. Unlike most of his colleagues, Arnall refused to "play it safe" in the state's political arena. Though still a segregationist and a traditionalist in many ways, Arnall had no patience for provincialism and cared deeply about Georgia and how it was viewed by the rest of the nation. Boldly confronting the demagoguery of his predecessor Eugene Talmadge, Arnall, who called himself "a democrat with a small 'd'," united the state's liberal and conservative factions to deliver the promise of the New South to all of Georgia's biracial voting, government reform, economic development, and an improved standard of living.
So sweeping and farsighted were Arnall's accomplishments that, to a great extent, the structure of Georgia's present-day government evolved under his guidance and has changed little since. In 1985, a Georgia Association of Historians survey ranked Arnall's leadership, responsiveness to issues, and national reputation the highest among governors who served from 1943-1983. Successful as it was, his career, begun a decade earlier in the state house of representatives, was cut short. Many Georgians felt that Arnall was too liberal and, worse, that he had catered to the national media, enhancing his own image by discussing the state's problems with outsiders. By Arnall's own estimation, his political career ended when he decided to abide by a 1945 federal court decision that invalidated Georgia's white-voters-only primary elections. Arnall left politics in 1947, returning briefly in 1966 for a spirited, but unsuccessful, primary bid for governor.
Written with Ellis Arnall's full cooperation and filled with fascinating details of the final days of Old South politics, this book recounts the political career of one of the region's most accomplished and energetic leaders. The Politics of Change in Georgia is based on the former governor's speeches and public writings, critical and supportive newspapers accounts, and interviews both with Arnall and with other prominent Georgians such as Herman E. Talmadge, S. Ernest Vandiver, Jr., Lester G. Maddox, Carl E. Sanders, Jr., James H. Gray, Sr., Howard H. Callaway, and Ivan Allen, Jr.
Arnall assumed the governorship of Georgia in 1943, becoming the youngest person in the United States ever elected to that position. In his single term (1943-1947) he initiated a series of remarkable reforms that elevated Georgia above its Tobacco Road image and stood it alongside North Carolina, then the South's most progressive state. Unlike most of his colleagues, Arnall refused to "play it safe" in the state's political arena. Though still a segregationist and a traditionalist in many ways, Arnall had no patience for provincialism and cared deeply about Georgia and how it was viewed by the rest of the nation. Boldly confronting the demagoguery of his predecessor Eugene Talmadge, Arnall, who called himself "a democrat with a small 'd'," united the state's liberal and conservative factions to deliver the promise of the New South to all of Georgia's biracial voting, government reform, economic development, and an improved standard of living.
So sweeping and farsighted were Arnall's accomplishments that, to a great extent, the structure of Georgia's present-day government evolved under his guidance and has changed little since. In 1985, a Georgia Association of Historians survey ranked Arnall's leadership, responsiveness to issues, and national reputation the highest among governors who served from 1943-1983. Successful as it was, his career, begun a decade earlier in the state house of representatives, was cut short. Many Georgians felt that Arnall was too liberal and, worse, that he had catered to the national media, enhancing his own image by discussing the state's problems with outsiders. By Arnall's own estimation, his political career ended when he decided to abide by a 1945 federal court decision that invalidated Georgia's white-voters-only primary elections. Arnall left politics in 1947, returning briefly in 1966 for a spirited, but unsuccessful, primary bid for governor.
Written with Ellis Arnall's full cooperation and filled with fascinating details of the final days of Old South politics, this book recounts the political career of one of the region's most accomplished and energetic leaders. The Politics of Change in Georgia is based on the former governor's speeches and public writings, critical and supportive newspapers accounts, and interviews both with Arnall and with other prominent Georgians such as Herman E. Talmadge, S. Ernest Vandiver, Jr., Lester G. Maddox, Carl E. Sanders, Jr., James H. Gray, Sr., Howard H. Callaway, and Ivan Allen, Jr.
376 pages, Hardcover
First published July 1, 1991
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
November 22, 2008
This biography of Ellis Arnall was long overdue, because his story is the story of the Georgia in his time as a political leader. The youngest state Attorney General in Georgia's history, there was never any doubt that Arnall had the talent to become governor. Ambitious, hard-working, and constantly networking, the liberal lawyer from Newnan managed to overcome the county unit system and a repressive racist political atmosphere to become one of the most forward-thinking leaders not just in Georgia, but in the national Democratic party during the 1940s through 1960s.
Paulk's political biography is impeccably researched and well-written enough to keep the story moving. Even in the most complex situations, such as that of the time that Georgia had three governors, he manages to tell the story in an even-handed way. Paulk has the ability analyze the many facets of this engrossing period of Georgia history and to place it in a national as well as state context. A very well-done book, and highly recommended.
Paulk's political biography is impeccably researched and well-written enough to keep the story moving. Even in the most complex situations, such as that of the time that Georgia had three governors, he manages to tell the story in an even-handed way. Paulk has the ability analyze the many facets of this engrossing period of Georgia history and to place it in a national as well as state context. A very well-done book, and highly recommended.
January 31, 2014
This took me a long while, as each chapter seemed so conclusive. But this man was my late grandfather's favorite, and like his generation, it takes me time and effort to understand their era and their compromises, in order to fully understand their achievements.
For comparison and, in summary, here's a link to the New Georgia Encyclopedia entry by the author of this fine biography.
http://www.georgiaencyclopedia.org/ar...
What I found lacking was the corporate law career, the business side, of his firm Arnall Golden Gregory. Sounds complicated by commerce, as well as the complications well documented here. I mean, this political career stretches from Eugene & Herman Talmadge to Lester Maddox to Jimmy Carter terrain.
Highly recommended.
For comparison and, in summary, here's a link to the New Georgia Encyclopedia entry by the author of this fine biography.
http://www.georgiaencyclopedia.org/ar...
What I found lacking was the corporate law career, the business side, of his firm Arnall Golden Gregory. Sounds complicated by commerce, as well as the complications well documented here. I mean, this political career stretches from Eugene & Herman Talmadge to Lester Maddox to Jimmy Carter terrain.
Highly recommended.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews