Cecil Andrus: Politics Western Style [Hardcover]

Cecil Andrus (Author), Joel Connelly (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1998

The immensely popular governor of Idaho from 1970 to 1994--and former U.S. Secretary of Interior--tells it like it is in this frank and perceptive memoir of his life as a Western politician.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Though a four-time governor of Idaho and former Carter administration secretary of the interior, Andrus may yet be a politician unfamiliar to most readers. With the help of Seattle Post-Intelligencer correspondent Connelly, he attempts to remedy his lack of national recognition with a recitation of his skirmishes on behalf of conservation and environmental concerns in the Northwest. Though he portrays himself as an unpretentious family man and avid sportsman, the evidence shows that Andrus took to politics like the proverbial duck to water. Perhaps he hopes that his book will stir enough interest to facilitate a return to the political spotlight. His discussion of the Washington years (1977-81) are occasionally enlivened by political anecdotes, and there are some amusing moments during his gubernatorial service, but the book is so sanitized as to be a soporific read. Recommended for academic and Northwest regional libraries.?Janet N. Ross, Washoe Cty. Lib. Sys., Sparks, NV
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

Andrus' newly published memoirs, Cecil Andrus: Politics Western Style, is full of hornswoggling, storytelling, Idahoan apologetics, political wisdom and passion for keeping 'a chunk of the natural world intact' -- Washington Free Press, Nov.-Dec. 1998

Cecil Andrus: Politics Western Style is a refreshingly breezy look back at the political and environmental battles of the last 30 years by a self-described "lunch-bucket guy" who may just be the Northwest's last great politician -- Seattle Weekly, Oct. 1, 1998

It's a rip-roaring read, a breezy, brassy bull session of a book that captures the full flavor of one of the most successful and affable down-home politicians in Idaho history -- Lewiston Tribune, Sept. 18, 1998

Mr. Andrus ran for the Idaho state senate in part because John F. Kennedy, campaigning for the presidency, promised a better and more vigorous country. He also wanted improvements to the local school system. He spent $11 on his campaign and became the youngest senator in Idaho history. He has since served as Jimmy Carter's Secretary of the Interior and as governor of his state for four terms. He considers himself a moderate conservationist, ambitious to preserve the natural environment he loves while finding the means to support a human population decently. He has been denounced for this stand by extremists on both sides. A politician who is denounced by extremists left and right must be both honest and intelligent. Mr. Andrus professes to be retired from politics, and presumably means it, for this conversational, witty, acid memoir will earn him more denunciations--but then, he is rather proud of them. -- The Atlantic Monthly, Phoebe-Lou Adams

Whether you align with the politics or not, Politics Western Style is a damn good read -- Moscow-Pullman Daily News, Oct. 1, 1998

Product Details

• Hardcover: 248 pages
• Publisher: Sasquatch Books; First Edition edition (September 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 157061122X
• ISBN-13: 978-1570611223
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6.3 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,481,183 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Idaho hasn't always been this way, November 11, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Cecil Andrus: Politics Western Style (Hardcover)

Politics Western Style should be required reading for every voter or future voter in Idaho and Washington. Andrus' book is rare among political memoirs; he relates his experiences while not overinflating his role. The book is written in a style that befits Idaho's last Democratic governor, humorous, insightful, and never too urbane. Before he was "The Guv" Andrus was a logger, and his writing demonstrates the intelligence of the man while never, as they say in West Virginia, "gittin' 'buv his raisins". While not every Idahoan agreed with Andrus, they voted for him because, just like his book, Andrus stayed true to who he was. This book provides not only good stories, but a roadmap to responsible government. Read it.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars How refreshing! A politician you can look up to!!, December 3, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Cecil Andrus: Politics Western Style (Hardcover)

Yes, Cecil Andrus is a politician, but he also is a man almost everyone could admire. His book tells about how he came to the political world, and how he learned how to successfully navigate and maintain his dignity. A book Bill Clinton, Newt Gringrich and George Bush Jr should read to pick up a few pointers on character, doing the right thing and keeping the work of the people foremost in their minds. A great read.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Awesome! Totally Awesome!, January 18, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Cecil Andrus: Politics Western Style (Hardcover)

Well...I was assigned to read this book for my poli sci class and at first, thought it was going to be boring...boy was i wrong;) This book is great! It bears down in detail the things Andrus fought through while being the Secretary of the Interior under President Jimmy Carters cabinet. It also tells you the environmental issues that he fought through to preserve things such as the spawning grounds for salmon and a lot more. Anyways...If I where you, I'd read this book. It rocks!