THE GENTLEMAN FROM GEORGIA [Hardcover]

Mel Steely (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 1, 2000

This is a look at the real Newt Gingrich as seen by a former colleague, close friend, and member of his staff. It is an inside view of Gingrich during his climb to power from his early training to his years as Speaker and leader of the Republican Party.

Steely reveals Gingrichs personal and political problems as well as his triumphs. His divorce and ethics problems are discussed, as well as his early campaign losses and the close call in 1990. Also, the necessary revolution leading to his rise in the party and the House, the development of New Inc. as well as his role in national elections and the reforms he brought to House GOP organization, the Conservative Opportunity Society, the whips office, to the Speakers office, and the House itself, and finally resignation.

Steely reveals a different Gingrich than the one presented by the media. We see a brilliant self-assured leader who is able to compartmentalize, redefine crisis, and see defeat as opportunity.

The book concludes with an exclusive interview with Gingrich outlining both his personal future and his vision for America in the twenty-first century.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"The Gentleman from Georgia is a richly informative chronicle of the career of Newt Gingrich. The book presents a clear portrait of Newt as an audacious thinker, bold political strategist, and talented campaigner. Mr. Steely's account shows us step by step how Newt Gingrich became Speaker of the House and changed the face of the US Congress and American Politics." -- US Senator Paul D. Coverdell

"The Gingrich who emerges from these pages is quite different from the caricature which often appears in the press. This Newt shares the liberal desire to include blacks and women, preserve the environment, and uplift those at the bottom of society. He differs profoundly with the left on how best to accomplish those noble ends. Written in plain, clear language, The Gentleman from Georgia is a well-documented account of the rise to power of one of the most significant politicians of our age." -- Thomas A. Scott, Kennesaw State University

About the Author

Mel Steely is professor of history and director of the Georgia Political Heritage Program at the University of West Georgia in Carrollton, Georgia. He worked as an administrative aide for Newt Gingrich and also served as campaign chairman and manager for Gingrich during four elections.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 476 pages
• Publisher: Mercer University Press; 1st edition (February 1, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0865546711
• ISBN-13: 978-0865546714
• Product Dimensions: 9.6 x 6.6 x 1.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #291,429 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Not the Definitive Work, August 22, 2000

By 

Alyson W. Piro (South Salem, New York USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: THE GENTLEMAN FROM GEORGIA (Hardcover)

Followers of the career of Newt Gingrich will be disappointed by this biography. The book is at its best in describing the ins and outs of the local elections Newt fought and won in Georgia, with a lot of background information on each election. But the sections on Newt's Washington career are culled mostly from newspaper articles and interviews with some of the players in the Gingrich era that--surprisingly--add few insights into the nature and character of Gingrich. Steely's prose is often wooden and the numerous changes of tense are jarring. The text in fact at times reads more like a first draft manuscript than a polished biography. Gingrich is clearly the most influential Republican figure of the 1990's and political history demands a sweeping documentation of his career. We'll just have to wait for one.

10 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Remarkable Book about a Remarkable Statesman, April 16, 2000

By 

Mark R., Whittington "author of Children of A... (Houston, Texas USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

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This review is from: THE GENTLEMAN FROM GEORGIA (Hardcover)

Newt Gingrich is one of the more remarkable and misunderstood statemen in the history of the American Republic. He embodies in one man a genius for ideas and a genius for action.

The latter is not entirely belied by his fall from the pinnicle of power. In his short years as Speaker he accomplished much. He ended welfare as an entitlement. He turned chronic deficits into lasting surpluses. The man who was nominally in charge of the United States, Bill Clinton, is a cipher by comparison. History will show that the most influential politician of the 1990s was Speaker Gingrich.

He was hated by his enemies, whose power he had taken away. He was distrusted by his friends, to whom he gave power. That latter fact is the irony of Gingrich's triumph. Those who owed Gingrich everything in the end drove him from elected politics.

Nevertheless it may be comforting that the story of Newt Gingrich is not over yet. He continues in the private sector to do what he does so well, to drive ideas and foster change. If George W. Bush rises to the Presidency, he could do far worse than to offer the former Speaker a cabinet post. That certainly would make for an excellent second volume.

--Mark R. Whittington http://curmudgeons.blogspot.com/

2 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Not the Definitive Work, August 22, 2000

By 

Alyson W. Piro (South Salem, New York USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: THE GENTLEMAN FROM GEORGIA (Hardcover)

Followers of the career of Newt Gingrich will be disappointed by this biography. The book is at its best in describing the ins and outs of the local elections Newt fought and won in Georgia, with a lot of background information on each election. But the sections on Newt's Washington career are culled mostly from newspaper articles and interviews with some of the players in the Gingrich era that--surprisingly--add few insights into the nature and character of Gingrich. Steely's prose is often wooden and the numerous changes of tense are jarring. The text in fact at times reads more like a first draft manuscript than a polished biography. Gingrich is clearly the most influential Republican figure of the 1990's and political history demands a sweeping documentation of his career. We'll just have to wait for one.