Lying Down With the Lions [Hardcover]

Ronald V. Dellums (Author), H. Lee Halterman (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 15, 2000

"Compelling, choice reading as well as an important guide to our beloved democracy."* "Here is a man raised in the protective embrace of the African-American community, tested in the volatile cauldron of California politics. Here is a life replete with ambition, intelligence, grit, and luck. And here is a book which will surprise, inform, and delight readers of every political stamp and of all races and religions."—Maya Angelou
"Ron's astute leadership and tireless dedication, so aptly and engagingly described in his book, leave a permanent, everlasting impression about all the good that can come from serving in public office."—*Kweisi Mfume, author of No Free Ride, and president/CEO, NAACP

"Activists who entertain the notion of running for office would do well to grab a copy of Lying Down with the Lions, a fine new record of the political life."—John Nichols, The Nation

"People who mistakenly think that it is impossible to be both principled and effective as a member of Congress know nothing of the career of Ron Dellums. He was in Congress an extremely effective force for social justice in part because his colleagues recognized the depth of his commitment. Dellums and Lee Halterman describe how this worked in this very important book about a very important career."—Rep. Barney Frank (D-Mass.), author of Speaking Frankly

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Dellums's first calling was to be a social worker. He found his second after a client inspired him "to get at the causes, rather than the symptoms, of individual dysfunction." Thus began his three-decade career as a leading progressive politician and social worker for the nation--or "black male bomb-thrower from Berkeley," as one congressman put it. In this overly earnest apologia, Dellums explains his many radical positions and how he stuck to them. He spends the most time on his greatest victories: helping promote the Congressional Black Caucus and pushing for U.S. sanctions against South Africa. He doesn't forget his failures, though, showing instead how they were in some ways successes. For example, the annual CBC alternative budget was ignored legislatively, but it earned "the respect, if not the support, of key members of the House." And if Dellums failed to kill the B-2 bomber program, he at least won "a partial victory--limiting the production of the planes." Such relentless optimism may seem to some like a political defense mechanism, but according to Dellums, it's a necessary trait for the progressive. For "the challenge is not so much to prevail at the moment as it is to remain faithful to the ideas and to the struggle, and to refuse to yield to the powerful temptation of cynicism." Although he frequently teeters on the brink of self-hagiography--the pitfall of all political memoirs--and his recounting (with the help of longtime aide Halterman) of political battles can be dry, Dellums shows that he's met this challenge well. Photos. (Feb.)
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal

Dellums retired in 1998 after spending 27 years as a progressive Democratic member of the House of Representatives, faithfully representing the diverse ethnic, racial, student, and gay populations that largely comprised his district of Berkeley, CA, or "Berzerkeley," as its detractors called it in the early 1970s. This engaging and informative autobiography relates Dellums's lack of success in a school system that marginalized blacks and his failure to be appointed to Marine Office Candidate School because of his race. Despite these incidents, Dellums did not resort to hatred and enjoyed a distinguished career in politics in part because he was able to work with conservatives who respected him for his unswerving dedication to human rights and peace. Dellums's significant accomplishments include becoming the first African American to chair the House Armed Services Committee, serving as an original member of the Congressional Black Caucus and leading the successful legislative fight against the repressive system of apartheid in South Africa. This true American success story is recommended for all public libraries and strongly so for Black History Month collections.AKarl Helicher, Upper Merion Twp. Lib., King of Prussia, PA
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 220 pages
• Publisher: Beacon Press (January 15, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0807043184
• ISBN-13: 978-0807043189
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.1 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,893,456 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A remarkable success story on how to protest with dignity, May 16, 2000

By 

Elif Uysal (Los Angeles, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Lying Down With the Lions (Hardcover)

Dellum is a humanist and intellectual, who has lived through extremely unjust treatment while leading African Americans to political equality. All intellectuals, and every conscientous person in general, have a lot to learn from his dignified and persistent struggle, through his witty and humorous story-telling.

5.0 out of 5 stars Fascinating story of a progressive succeeding in Washington, September 4, 2004

By 

J. Davis (San Diego, CA United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Lying Down with the Lions: A Public Life from the Streets of Oakland to the Halls of Power (Paperback)

Forget your ideology, reader; this is a terrific book. Written by the most left-wing member of Congress, Lying Down takes you on an exciting journey that was Ron Dellums' career. Whether opposing Reagan's military buildup or denouncing apartheid and the Gulf War, Dellums stays true to his principles.

As a political science junkie, I especially enjoyed the chapters on Dellums' congressional career. Though an ultraliberal, Dellums is pragmatic enough to form coalitions with conservatives of both parties to advance his agenda. What was impressive is Dellums' willingness to admit when he failed, or atleast only partly succeeded. This is a wonderful book that I highly recommend.