John J. Rhodes: Man of the House [Hardcover]

J. Brian Smith (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 28, 2006

John Jacob Rhodes served in the U.S. House of Representatives for thirty years and saw our nation through turbulent times including the civil rights movement, the Viet Nam War, and the Cold War. He was the House Republican Leader in 1974 during the push to impeach president Nixon. This account, written by Rhodes’ one time press secretary, documents a life journey from Rhodes’ home town in Council Grove, Kansas, through his long and illustrious representation of Arizona in the House of Representatives to his active post-Congressional career and finally his death in 2003 at age 86. Above all, John Rhodes: Man of the House is the engaging story of a many who is remembered by all who knew him as a quiet, effective leader who accomplished extraordinary things for his state, stood tall under enormous pressure at a time of grave national peril, and left a legacy of statesmanship sadly missing in today’s body politic.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

J. Brian Smith was Rhodes’ press secretary, after which he established his own public relations and political campaign company in Washington D.C.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 368 pages
• Publisher: Primer Publishers (July 28, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0935810749
• ISBN-13: 978-0935810745
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.3 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,064,891 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars John Rhodes: A Time of Civility In Congress, July 13, 2005

By 

Mark L. Schannon (McLean, VA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: John J. Rhodes: Man of the House (Hardcover)

Full Disclure: I've met J. Brian Smith, author of "John Rhodes, Man of the House", a number of times, both professionally and personally. He is not aware I'm writing this review nor, alas, has money changed hands to influence my opinion.

Why read a book about former Congressman John J. Rhodes (R, Arizona)? Why write such a book? For political junkies, this book is an insider's look at the workings of the government at critical moments in the late 20th century. From Vietnam to Watergate to the opening of relations with China and through the changes in Congress that Senator Orrin Hatch (R. UT) once described as, "This has gotten so vicious that I have to admit it's the worst I've seen in twenty-seven years in the Senate."

Rhodes served in the House of Representatives from 1953 to 1983. On December 7, 1973, when Gerald Ford was named VP to replace Spiro Agnew, Rhodes was unanimously elected House Minority Leader. Smith was Rhodes's press secretary and a good friend from 1972 until the Congressman's death in 2003 and kept a daily record of what went on during those years. What emerges is from careful notes, not memories dimmed by time.

What makes this book important for all Americans is realize that the bitter, partisan, vituperative, nastiness described by Hatch, above, isn't the way it has to be. What a difference a generation makes.

When Rhodes was minority leader, he often butted heads with House Speaker Thomas "Tip" O'Neill, Jr. (D, MA). O'Neill remembers, "John and I have had our squabbles along the line, but...I don't think thre are any two people closer even though we're miles apart in our philsophy...he's just a beautiful fella."

Smith is a natural story teller. He didn't try to write the definitive 1200 page biography but rather provides a rare insider's look at defining moments in late 20th century political history as seen from one of the lesser known but more powerful influencials involved. The section on the challenges Rhodes faced with the Nixon/Watergate scandal is particularly fascinating, revealing again how different were Republican and Democratic Members of Congress just 30 years ago.

Two themes dominate the book. "John J. Rhodes was a rare breed of American politician. He wasn't flashy. He was not charismatic...He didn't draw attention to himself through his words, actions, attire, or mannerisms. He kept his ego in check." And yet, at the same time, he was a "Man of the House," understanding and using the arcane rules of procedure with skill and fairness.

Smith isn't trying to nominate Rhodes for sainthood. The Congressman's temper, his poor oratorical style, his political maneuverings, and his keen political ability to count votes and manipulate the system to his advantage are given equal time. But, on balance, Rhodes comes across as a man of honor and integrity.

Smith quotes Sam Donaldson, "We in the press liked him because he understood our job. He didn't always agree with what we wrote or said, but he never held a grudge and the welcome mat was always out for reporters. ...He would have made a great president. Today there are too few in public life like him."

Which introduces the second theme. Rhodes was in office when "members [of Congress] treated one another with a level of comity rarely seen today. There were differences, of course; some were based on issues, others on personalities. In general, however, the atmosphere was civil....Such courtesies were sincere and personal grudge matches rare; today they are the norm."

Interestingly, Smith is surprising blunt putting much of the reason for the change onto Newt Gingrich (R, GA), although he doesn't go into great detail. While he gives Gingrich credit for much of the Republican party's congressional resurrgence, he also writes that his "'didactic', 'combative,' take-no prisoners approach hurt people along the way." Gingrich's takes the lion's share of the blame for the bitterness, partisanship, and personal antagonism that still characterizes much of Washington.

Smith has the knack of making interesting some of the more complex and mind-numbing ways in which the House works. He has a message to promote and a story to tell, and he's found the right balance and tone to convey both. A very readable, well-written book, "John Rhodes, Man of the House" is worth the time for those frustrated with the character of so many politicians today and who wonder if it ever was any different.

4.0 out of 5 stars John J. Rhodes, October 7, 2005

By 

Geneva L. Black "Yente Schwartz" (Mesa, Arizona) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: John J. Rhodes: Man of the House (Hardcover)

A very revealing story of a successful; yet disciplined politician who served his country with conscince and diligence.