King of the Cats: The Life and Times of Adam Clayton Powell, Jr. [Hardcover]

Wil Haygood (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 1993

A biography of the important African-American figure discusses Powell's childhood in Harlem, his years as a minister, his tenure in politics, his personal life, his crusades against poverty and racism, and his eventual downfall. 40,000 first printing.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Boston Globe reporter Haygood ( Two on the River ) weaves together interviews and research to create a nuanced yet vivid narrative about the crusading Harlem congressman who served in the House for 24 years and whose controversial behavior and womanizing often overshadowed his crucial contribution to the War on Poverty. Haygood astutely traces how the light-skinned Powell (1908-1972), who tried to pass as white when a Colgate student, later embraced his blackness and demanded acceptance in the white world. Mixing New York and national political history with Powell's rise as a Baptist minister and politician, Haygood adds deft cameos of characters like Hattie Dodson, Powell's devoted secretary, and Hazel Scott, the jazz star whose wedding to the divorced congressman was "the stuff of grand romance and intrigue." Expelled from Congress in 1966 for alleged misappropriations and an unpaid libel judgment, Powell, Haygood writes poignantly, was shunned by black leaders and, even after reinstatement by the Supreme Court, disparaged by many he had helped. Though less authoritative in assessing Powell's political milieu than Charles V. Hamilton's 1991 book, Adam Clayton Powell Jr.: The Political Biography of an American Dilemma , this is a richer portrait of Powell the man. Photos not seen by PW. Author tour.
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal

Born to a legacy of elite black Baptist ministry, Powell (1908-72) stood as the New Negro whose triumphs over racial discrimination moved some to call him "Mr. Civil Rights." To others, the longtime Harlem congressman was either a prodigal son or merely unpredictable, intemperate, enigmatic, and dangerous. Boston Globe writer Haygood offers a full story, exposing the man and the myth in classic life-and-times fashion. His pages vibrate with the living color of top reporting as he digs out characters and connections to explain what was happening personally and politically with Powell. Charles Hamilton's Adam Clayton Powell, Jr.: The Political Biography of an American Dilemma ( LJ 7/91) caught the man's place in U.S. political theory. Haygood has captured the man and his place in American life. Highly recommended for collections on biography, civil rights, or local and national politics. Previewed in Prepub Alert, LJ 10/15/92.
- Thomas J. Davis, Univ. at Buffalo, N.Y.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 476 pages
• Publisher: Houghton Mifflin (T); First edition (February 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0395440947
• ISBN-13: 978-0395440940
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6 x 1.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.9 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,343,811 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars American Biography at its best, November 7, 2005

By 

Cecelia E Connally (Cleveland, Ohio USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: King of the Cats: The Life and Times of Adam Clayton Powell, Jr. (Hardcover)

A dust cover reference states that "King of the Cats" is one of the best biographies of an Americna Politicain to be published in recent years." I could not agree more.

"King of the Cats" sat on a shelf at my house for 10 years or so as one of those books I'll get to eventually. After reading an essay about Adam Clayton Powell, I decided to delve deeper and reached for the book. Two days later I had finished all 400 pages. I'm just sorry that I waited this long to read it.

Haygood not only tells the life of Powell, but he tells the life of America during the middle years of the 20th century. Readers in their 50's and 60's will remember many of the events. Haygood shows how Powell followed Oscar DePriest to congress with a flamboyant style that Washington was not ready for. His predecessors in the 20th century congress were quiet men, willing to work within the system. They were men who wanted to get along and get re-elected. With his solid base in Harlem and political independence, Powell did not have to worry about that. Quiet just wasn't his style.

His life style was something that would not be accepted now. Since Gary Hart, womanizing Congressman are not acceptable. In the 21st century a hard drinking, thrice married minister, who made rare appearances in Congress would not be acceptable. But in the 1950's and 1960's Powell was king and could do what he wanted.

The sad part is that this independence, this bravado is what brought him down. When sued for libel, he disregarded the courts. When he finally got to be a powerful chairman, he took a carte blanche attitude with federal money and job, all of which contributed to his down fall. Race was clearly a factor, in his demise, but as Haywood says a number of times, Powell was his own worse enemy.

With all his faults, however, Powell made a signicant mark on the history of congress and the nation. His law suit, challenging the right of congress to refuse to seat him, make legal history. LBJ's Great Society and War on Poverty could hardly have passed with out Powell. He got the first black man into the US Naval Academy. He opened doors for thousands of people with jobs and increases in the minimum wage. But how soon we as a society forget.

There is an old saying about knowing when to hold and when to fold and don't count your money while you're sitting at the table. Powell never learned that. Times changed - Harlem changed - new black leaders arose - but Powell didn't change. He thought that things would always go his way. Who was this lowly preacher from Atlanta - Martin Luther King - to challenge Powell, a member of Congress? Powell did not give credit or recognition to other black leaders. When he needed them, they looked the other way.

Haywood graphically describes Powell's final years as an isolated, broke and dying man on the Island of Bimini. I was close to tears.

Haywood is a remarkable writer who wrote about a remarkable man. This is a must read for anyone who wants to understand the dynamics of black leadership in America and the 1950's and 1960's.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent book on an inspirational Black leader., January 14, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: King Of The Cats: The Life & Times of Adam Clayton Powell, Jr. (Paperback)

This book is a wonderful biography of one of our most inspirational and influential African-American leaders. I found this book to be an invaluable source for understanding the courageous challenges Adam Clayton Powell undertook to establish the civil and human rights of African-Americans. I am grateful that this book was written because Adam Clayton Powell was often misrepresented and ridiculed. This book gives examples of his personality, charisma and flair without minimizing his intellect and brave dedication. I regret deeply that my book has been lost and I cannot seem to find another one.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Terrific - I devoured it in one sitting!!!, November 17, 1997

By A Customer

This review is from: King Of The Cats: The Life & Times of Adam Clayton Powell, Jr. (Paperback)

As an African-American woman from a family similar to Reverend Powell's, I found this book highly enjoyable. I was certainly able to relate to the issues of skin tone, education, and the Black caste system that still exists today.

Unfortunately, Reverend Powell has been largely forgotten or ignored by the younger generation who have benefitted from his many contributions to Black causes through his election to Congress. I found Mr. Haygood's research to be thorough and unbiased, which is rare for so controversial a figure as Adam Clayton Powell, Jr.

I think that many teenagers and twentysomethings of all nationalities would be enlightened and empowered by reading this thoughtfully written, excellent profile of a courageous man. It reads like a novel. What a life! I highly recommend it.