Customer Reviews

Cecil Andrus: Politics Western Style

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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.

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.

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!

If you're tracking down sources for political, environmental, or social research in the West or Pacific Northwest, this is a great choice. Andrus addresses the gamut of Idaho issues - education, environmental controversy, the impact of big corporations on local econonmy, religion, and his efforts to save wild salmon. He also covers the irony of being the first Western governor elected on an environmental platform (and elected three more times after that). Well-written, not only good research material, but a thoroughly enjoyable read.

Andrus does a good job of showing just how ad hoc the situation is in Idaho and how subject it is to outside influence. For a State that had a population of independant thinkers Idaho has done a poor job of perserving its way of life. Folks are slow to make up their mind and difficult to organize. Because of this big money from outside and inside the state can do things before the people can bring themselves to react. I was raised as a poor farm boy in the southern part of the state and have live all over the world since. Still have a small farm there and try to participate in the local politics as an amatuer pundit if that is not a paradox?