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And I Haven't Had a Bad Day Since: From the Streets of Harlem to the Halls of Congress
In this inspiring and often humorous memoir, the outspoken Democratic congressman from Harlem--now the chairman of the powerful House Ways and Means Committee--tells about his early years on Lenox Avenue, being awarded a Bronze Star and a Purple Heart for wounds sustained in a horrific Korean War battle (the last bad day of his life, he says), and his many years in Congress.
A charming, natural storyteller, Rangel recalls growing up in Harlem, where from the age of nine he always had at least one job, including selling the legendary Adam Clayton Powell's newspaper; his group of streetwise sophisticates who called themselves Les Garçons; and his time in law school--a decision made as much to win his grandfather's approval as to establish a career. He recounts as well his life in New York politics during the 1960s and the grueling civil rights march from Selma to Montgomery.
With New York street smarts, Rangel is a tough liberal and an independent thinker, but also a collegial legislator respected by Democrats and Republicans alike who knows and honors the House's traditions. First elected to Congress in 1970, Rangel served on the House Judiciary Committee during the hearings on the articles of impeachment of President Nixon, helped found the Congressional Black Caucus, and led the fight in Congress to pressure U.S. corporations to divest from apartheid South Africa.
Best of all, this is a political memoir with heart , the story of a life filled with friends, humor, and accomplishments. Charles Rangel is one of a kind, and this is the story of how he became the celebrated person and politician he is today.
He opens his memoir with a preface about the 2006 elections and an outline of his goals as chairman of Ways and Means. From day one he wants to put the public first so that more Americans can say they haven't had a bad day since.
A charming, natural storyteller, Rangel recalls growing up in Harlem, where from the age of nine he always had at least one job, including selling the legendary Adam Clayton Powell's newspaper; his group of streetwise sophisticates who called themselves Les Garçons; and his time in law school--a decision made as much to win his grandfather's approval as to establish a career. He recounts as well his life in New York politics during the 1960s and the grueling civil rights march from Selma to Montgomery.
With New York street smarts, Rangel is a tough liberal and an independent thinker, but also a collegial legislator respected by Democrats and Republicans alike who knows and honors the House's traditions. First elected to Congress in 1970, Rangel served on the House Judiciary Committee during the hearings on the articles of impeachment of President Nixon, helped found the Congressional Black Caucus, and led the fight in Congress to pressure U.S. corporations to divest from apartheid South Africa.
Best of all, this is a political memoir with heart , the story of a life filled with friends, humor, and accomplishments. Charles Rangel is one of a kind, and this is the story of how he became the celebrated person and politician he is today.
He opens his memoir with a preface about the 2006 elections and an outline of his goals as chairman of Ways and Means. From day one he wants to put the public first so that more Americans can say they haven't had a bad day since.
- GenresBiography
320 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2007
About the author
Charles B. Rangel
5 books2 followersCharles Bernard Rangel was an American politician who served as U.S. representative for districts in New York City for 46 years. A member of the Democratic Party, he was the second-longest serving incumbent member of the House of Representatives at the time of his retirement in 2017, having served continuously since 1971. As its most senior member, he was also the Dean of New York's congressional delegation. Rangel was the first African American chair of the influential House Ways and Means Committee. He was also a founding member of the Congressional Black Caucus.
Rangel was born in Harlem in Upper Manhattan. He earned a Purple Heart and a Bronze Star for his service in the United States Army during the Korean War, where he led a group of soldiers out of a deadly Chinese Army encirclement during the Battle of Kunu-ri in 1950. Rangel graduated from New York University in 1957 and St. John's University School of Law in 1960. He worked as a private lawyer, assistant U.S. attorney, and legal counsel during the early-mid-1960s. He served two terms in the New York State Assembly from 1967 to 1971 and defeated long-time incumbent Congressman Adam Clayton Powell Jr. in a primary challenge on his way to being elected to the House of Representatives.
Rangel rose rapidly in the Democratic ranks in the House, combining solidly liberal views with a pragmatic style that allowed him to find political and legislative compromises. His long-time concern with the importation and effects of illegal drugs led to his becoming chair of the House Select Committee on Narcotics, where he helped define national policy on the issue during the 1980s. As one of Harlem's "Gang of Four", he also became a leader in New York City and State politics. Rangel played a significant role in the creation of the 1995 Upper Manhattan Empowerment Zone Development Corporation and the national Empowerment Zone Act. Rangel was known both for what was his genial manner and his blunt speaking; he was long outspoken about his views and was arrested several times as part of political demonstrations. He was a strong opponent of the George W. Bush administration and the Iraq War, and he put forth proposals to reinstate the draft during the 2000s. As his district became more Hispanic, Rangel faced two strong primary challengers during the 2012 and 2014 elections, but he nonetheless prevailed. He did not run for re-election in 2016 and left office in January 2017.
Beginning in 2008, Rangel faced allegations that he had violated House ethics rules and failed to abide by tax laws. The House Ethics Committee considered whether Rangel improperly rented multiple rent-stabilized New York apartments, improperly used his office in raising money for the Rangel Center at the City College of New York, and failed to disclose rental income from his villa in the Dominican Republic. In March 2010, Rangel stepped aside as the Ways and Means chair. In November 2010, the Ethics Committee found Rangel guilty of 11 counts of violating House ethics rules, and on December 2, 2010, the full House approved a sanction of censure against him.
Rangel was born in Harlem in Upper Manhattan. He earned a Purple Heart and a Bronze Star for his service in the United States Army during the Korean War, where he led a group of soldiers out of a deadly Chinese Army encirclement during the Battle of Kunu-ri in 1950. Rangel graduated from New York University in 1957 and St. John's University School of Law in 1960. He worked as a private lawyer, assistant U.S. attorney, and legal counsel during the early-mid-1960s. He served two terms in the New York State Assembly from 1967 to 1971 and defeated long-time incumbent Congressman Adam Clayton Powell Jr. in a primary challenge on his way to being elected to the House of Representatives.
Rangel rose rapidly in the Democratic ranks in the House, combining solidly liberal views with a pragmatic style that allowed him to find political and legislative compromises. His long-time concern with the importation and effects of illegal drugs led to his becoming chair of the House Select Committee on Narcotics, where he helped define national policy on the issue during the 1980s. As one of Harlem's "Gang of Four", he also became a leader in New York City and State politics. Rangel played a significant role in the creation of the 1995 Upper Manhattan Empowerment Zone Development Corporation and the national Empowerment Zone Act. Rangel was known both for what was his genial manner and his blunt speaking; he was long outspoken about his views and was arrested several times as part of political demonstrations. He was a strong opponent of the George W. Bush administration and the Iraq War, and he put forth proposals to reinstate the draft during the 2000s. As his district became more Hispanic, Rangel faced two strong primary challengers during the 2012 and 2014 elections, but he nonetheless prevailed. He did not run for re-election in 2016 and left office in January 2017.
Beginning in 2008, Rangel faced allegations that he had violated House ethics rules and failed to abide by tax laws. The House Ethics Committee considered whether Rangel improperly rented multiple rent-stabilized New York apartments, improperly used his office in raising money for the Rangel Center at the City College of New York, and failed to disclose rental income from his villa in the Dominican Republic. In March 2010, Rangel stepped aside as the Ways and Means chair. In November 2010, the Ethics Committee found Rangel guilty of 11 counts of violating House ethics rules, and on December 2, 2010, the full House approved a sanction of censure against him.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
December 16, 2020
Enjoyable read, with a tough story post writing this, where Congress unfairly came after him. His successor is not the same caliber legislator.
November 8, 2007
I haven't read too many political autobiographies/memoirs, but the ones I have read have always seemed to be way too self-serving where the politician's worst crime was THINKING about stealing a candy bar from the grocery store and all their stories seemed to curtail nicely into their political agenda (Orrin Hatch's autobiography actually has one of his staffers talking to him about considering an abortion--like that ever happened).
Charlie Rangel, on the other hand, is an incredibly honest politician. Though vague about a lot of his past, he does admit that he did some dirt growing up in Harlem. He's also incredibly self-effacing (he always gives credit to the people who have made him a success in life; and I love the way he talks about his becoming a decorated war hero in Korea, which he constantly describes as getting shot in the ass), profane, and funny ("Every weekend my uncle used to whip my ass just to be whipping my ass"), and really tells it like it is. He pulls no punches when talking about his stance against Iraq or even about his disappointment in supporting Aristide.
It is definitely the least contrived, most optimistic, and refreshingly honest political memoir I've ever read.
Charlie Rangel, on the other hand, is an incredibly honest politician. Though vague about a lot of his past, he does admit that he did some dirt growing up in Harlem. He's also incredibly self-effacing (he always gives credit to the people who have made him a success in life; and I love the way he talks about his becoming a decorated war hero in Korea, which he constantly describes as getting shot in the ass), profane, and funny ("Every weekend my uncle used to whip my ass just to be whipping my ass"), and really tells it like it is. He pulls no punches when talking about his stance against Iraq or even about his disappointment in supporting Aristide.
It is definitely the least contrived, most optimistic, and refreshingly honest political memoir I've ever read.
October 5, 2007
Things I learned:
Exclamation points can be used for emphasis and to illustrate wryness.
Curse words in harlem in the 40's and 50s included were very different than today. He was the worst "so and so" I ever met.
Always carry a clipboard when you get to congress. People who pretend they are important usually get ahead.
Never go into a fight with a thousand koreans if there are tens of thousands of chinese on the other side of the mountain.
If Hillary is elected Charlie Rangel is never going to retire.
Charlie Rangel is one superbad "so and so".
Exclamation points can be used for emphasis and to illustrate wryness.
Curse words in harlem in the 40's and 50s included were very different than today. He was the worst "so and so" I ever met.
Always carry a clipboard when you get to congress. People who pretend they are important usually get ahead.
Never go into a fight with a thousand koreans if there are tens of thousands of chinese on the other side of the mountain.
If Hillary is elected Charlie Rangel is never going to retire.
Charlie Rangel is one superbad "so and so".
September 28, 2010
Not being politically involved, I wasn't actually familiar with Mr Charles B. Rangel, but after reading it I must say that I was impressed.
Although this book has much more to do with mindsets and pragmatic philosophy than politics, I think I learned a bit more about politics than I thought I would in an entertaining way.
His book is a potent reminder of subtle and not so subtle obstacles in life, and why you can overcome them, or not.
Although this book has much more to do with mindsets and pragmatic philosophy than politics, I think I learned a bit more about politics than I thought I would in an entertaining way.
His book is a potent reminder of subtle and not so subtle obstacles in life, and why you can overcome them, or not.
Want to Read
June 2, 2007I heard Congressman Rangel interviewed on the radio. He seems like a great man.
Currently Reading
July 16, 2008This is well-written, timely and a fascinating glimpse inside the thinking of a man with his finger on the nation's legislative pulse.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews