Customer Reviews

John Engler: The Man, the Leader, the Legacy (General Reading)

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Just finished this work and I have to say the author and the other reviewers must now live somewhere else besides Michigan. John Engler left this state in a fiscal crisis caused by his politicians desire not to cut spending in spite of falling revenues. His legacy of junior conservatives gumming up the political works with
ill thought out programs and fiscal gerrymandering, continues to haunt us.

People who believe that public education, despite its woes, can be made to reform should read Gleaves Whitney's rich new documentary biography of Michigan's three-term Governor John Engler. Whitney provides street-level political evidence--personal testimonials, inaugural addresses, newspaper stories, op-eds, policy studies, and myriad interviews--that shows how a determined, clever, and duly elected leader can bring about long-term change. Readers can savor Engler's shrewd call, early in his tenure, to eliminate an inequitable state property tax that funded schools, his insistence on rigorous student testing as a guide to effective policy, his championing of charter schools and other choices for families condemned to failing schools. Engler achieved his successes against the demonizing tactics of the Michigan Education Association and other opponents who, interviewed here, seem chagrined at their failure and naivete. Whitney covers many more topics in this authorized yet evenhanded biography--welfare reform, the Governor's family life, economic boom, the three elections--but the thread of renewed educational opportunity runs throughout. The book is a valuable resource, giving a multifaceted view of the man who made Michigan a leadership state for education reform.

What Engler did do is leave us in a worse situation than when he came into office? His bloated stories and accomplishments are only figments of him, his friends and buddies, and those that he so deftly enchanted by this so-called politician. What is correct, is that Engler channeled the funds from public schools, and out of the taxpayers hands, and into the business minds, private sector, and the rich and very powerful folks that still hold some of the keys. We were all told, and it was reported in the Free Press and Lansing State Journal shortly before his departure, that the state of Michigan had billions in it's coffers, and that Michigan could confront any 'rainy day' if need be. Where's the money at? Where did it all go? A week after Granholm came into office, she found the state in a fiscal crisis and has had to make cuts ever since just to catch up. So there goes Engler, and soon to follow we're his buds. By the way, anyone who thinks we're better off now, with fewer unions and a republican stuffed government, needs to have their head examined. GM is about ready to leave, possibly Ford in the near future. Job security is a thing of the past, and the folks who want to change us once again, are the very people helping to ship America overseas and keep us in wars that should have never happened. Thanks, we love you... Until the next Civil War!!!

Gleaves Whitney's John Engler: The Man, The Leader & The Legacy is a superb book about one of the nation's most important governors in the last half-century. The book is must reading for those that wish to understand either the rise of the modern conservative movement or the attributes and sacrifices necessary for true political leadership.

The author, a long-time Engler speechwriter, interviewed over 150 individuals who had been a part of John Engler's life. The Engler story is told through their words, with narrative provided by the author. Make no mistake: this book is not a hagiography. While the book contains many glowing comments about Engler, it is also presents the viewpoints of Engler's adversaries. The Governor is accused of "lacking soul" by a liberal adversary (and she was not referring to his lyrical ability), heavily criticized by ostensible allies (such as the GOP Chairwoman), and painted as a thug by legislators from both parties. If you are looking for a warm and fuzzy story, you will not find it here.

What you will find is a remarkable account of a farm kid from Beal City, Michigan (a suburb of Mt. Pleasant) who never lost an election, despite the long odds against him (He knocked off 2 incumbent state reps, an incumbent senator, and an incumbent governor). You will also be treated to an account of how Engler took the reigns of high-tax, union-dominated Michigan and completely altered its character.

Engler defied the conventional wisdom in 1991 when he cut off tens of thousands of able-bodies welfare recipients from the public dole. Liberals predicted riots and rampant homelesness. Not only did Michigan avoid the aforementioned problems, but served as a laboratory of democracy for the welfare reform debate that was to shape the 1990's. Welfare reform seems so obvious, almost inevitable, today, but in 1991, welfare was thought untouchable. Engler was villified for his stand, but eventually won the debate because of the soundness of his ideas and the iron of his backbone.

Whitney's book also explores the role of Engler on the national scene. Besides Engler's role in the welfare debate, Whitney examines his experience in the 1996 Presidential campaign (he was almost chosen Vice-President) and Engler's most bitter political moment--McCain's victory over Bush in the Michigan Republican Primary.

I enjoyed the book, and hope you enjoy this rather novel approach to political biography. The author regards his work as the first draft of history. Let us thank the author for leaving so little to revise in subsequent drafts.

(Full disclosure: I am a friend of Gleaves Whitney, and I worked for Governor Engler 1997-99)