Earl K. Long: The Saga of Uncle Earl and Louisiana Politics (Southern Biography) [Paperback]

Michael L. Kurtz (Author), Morgan D. Peoples (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 19, 1992 | Series: Southern Biography

In a region famous for its flamboyant politicians, Earl K. Long was one of the most flamboyant of them all. This first full-scale biography of the former Louisiana governor explores his controversial life-style and his strong family ties, his raw humor and his political savvy, his abuse of power and his accomplishments in the areas of civil rights and public services. Michael L. Kurtz and Morgan D. Peoples provide new information from recently declassified FBI files concerning Earl's ties with organized crime figures, give the first comprehensive account of his stays in mental institutions in 1959, and offer factual information about his notorious relationship with the stripper Blaze Star. Based on more than two decades of research in a variety of sources, this important biography fills a serious gap in the history of modern Louisiana politics.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Earl was a key figure in his brother "Kingfish" Huey Long's rise to power and, after Huey's assassination, launched a notable career of his own, serving as lieutenant governor and three times as governor of Louisiana; he was elected to Congress shortly before his death in 1960. A populist, he instituted hot lunches for schoolchildren and old-age pensions and won generous raises for teachers in his state; he also registered thousands of black voters at a time of Dixiecrat racist agitation. But as Kurtz, history professor at Southeastern Louisiana University, and Peoples, former history professor at Louisiana Tech, show in this balanced and highly readable biography, he continued the spoils system and maintained strong ties to organized crime. The authors conclude, nevertheless, that the charismatic Long was remarkably effective for his time and place. Photos not seen by PW.
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

From Library Journal

Huey Long's flamboyant career in Louisiana and national politics has been examined by numerous scholars, most notably by T. Harry Williams in his Pulitzer Prize-winning biography Huey Long ( LJ 9/15/69). But Long's brother, three-time Louisiana governor Earl Long, has not received the same attention, although Earl was the dominant figure in the state's politics for almost 25 years. Historians Kurtz and Peoples have partially corrected this deficiency with the first comprehensive biography of Earl by academicians. Its primary (and controversial) contributions to current knowledge about Long are material on Long's ties with organized crime taken from FBI files; an analysis of Long's efforts to protect black voting rights; and evidence that Long suffered from manic depression. This is a necessary book for all libraries with collections on Southern politics, and the recent movie Blaze may also generate interest for this book among general readers.
- Thomas H. Ferrell, Univ. of Southwestern Louisiana, Lafayette
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 332 pages
• Publisher: Louisiana State University Press (February 19, 1992)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 080711765X
• ISBN-13: 978-0807117651
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.2 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,714,294 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The factual counterpart to Liebling's "Earl of Louisiana.", March 31, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Earl K Long: The Saga of Uncle Earl and Louisiana Politics (Southern Biography Series) (Hardcover)

While A.J. Liebling kept his focus mainly to the gubernatorial campaign of 1959, this biography covers the span of Earl Kemp Long's life. Anyone who enjoyed the Liebling book is encouraged to read this one; it may be a bit more interested in historical fact, but with a subject like Earl Long, it can't keep from being humorous.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The factual counterpart to Liebling's "Earl of Lousiana.", March 31, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Earl K Long: The Saga of Uncle Earl and Louisiana Politics (Southern Biography Series) (Hardcover)

While A.J. Liebling kept his focus mainly to the gubernatorial campaign of 1959, this biography covers the span of Earl Kemp Long's life. Anyone who enjoyed the Liebling book is encouraged to read this one; it may be a bit more interested in historical fact, but with a subject like Earl Long, it can't keep from being humorous.

5 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Earl Long, February 6, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Earl K. Long: The Saga of Uncle Earl and Louisiana Politics (Southern Biography) (Paperback)

I think the book was good.