Parting Shots from My Brittle Bow: Reflections on American Politics and Life (Speaker's Corner) [Paperback]

Eugene McCarthy (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 4, 2005 | Series: Speaker's Corner

For more then five decades as both a statesman and an author, Eugene McCarthy has been one of the most significant political figures in our nation, known for his integrity, great wit, and keen intellect. According to Senator McCarthy (in paraphrasing William Butler Yeats), "the last shot from the brittle bow is truest." In this collection on writings, Senator McCarthy takes aim at our political institutions and mores, sharing his wisdom with a new generation.

*Contains excerpts from previously published books and articles, with current commentary by Eugene McCarthy on the relevance of the writings to today’s world
*Includes several previously unpublished pieces
*The most comprehensive compilation of McCarthy’s writings in print

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

Speaker's Corner Books is a provocative new series designed to stimulate, educate, and foster discussion on significant public policy topics.Written by experts in a variety of fields, these brief and engaging books should be read by anyone interested in the trends and issues that shape our society.

About the Author

In 1948 Eugene McCarthy was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives, where he served five terms. He was the first congressman to publicly challenge the vicious anti-Communist attacks of Senator Joseph McCarthy and was instrumental in the creation of the Democratic Study Group, which set forth a liberal program of action for the Democratic Party.

Product Details

• Paperback: 160 pages
• Publisher: Fulcrum Publishing (January 4, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1555915280
• ISBN-13: 978-1555915285
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,743,762 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

In 1948 Eugene McCarthy was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives, where he served five terms. He was the first congressman to publicly challenge the vicious antiCommunist attacks of Senator Joseph McCarthy and was instrumental in the creation of the Democratic Study Group, which set forth a liberal program of action for the Democratic Party. McCarthy was a member of the famed "Class of 1958," one of 13 liberal Democrats who defeated incumbent Republicans in that year. He ran against President Lyndon Johnson in the 1969 election as an antiwar candidate, and his campaign mobilized thousands of young people across the nation, changing the face of presidential campaigns, and the Democratic Party forever.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars He changed our politics, July 8, 2005

By 

Keith Burris - See all my reviews

This review is from: Parting Shots from My Brittle Bow: Reflections on American Politics and Life (Speaker's Corner) (Paperback)

The prose in this book is insightful, quirky, witty, and occasionally very touching.

This man was fearless, but never raised his voice.

McCarthy changed our politics and dignified it.

This book is a bargain.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars To realize so bright a star shown in our midst., March 8, 2006

By 

William J. Kweder (Cedar Creek, Texas United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Parting Shots from My Brittle Bow: Reflections on American Politics and Life (Speaker's Corner) (Paperback)

I lived through the turbulent times of sixties. To read Eugene McCarthy's words made me realize how lucky we were to have great men in our times. The comparison to today's political dwarfs comes naturally and one is left with a sense of forboding. Where are the men who make judgements based on reason, not profits? How could we live through the history of Vietnam and fail to prevent another illegal intervention? Lest we turn away in a fog of depression we should discover and value the current men of McCarthy's cloth like Howard Dean and John Conyers,

0 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars I voted for former Sen. 'Gene McCarthy once as independent Pres. Candidate, July 14, 2006

By 

Ricahrd A. Salzer (Chesapeake, Virginia, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Parting Shots from My Brittle Bow: Reflections on American Politics and Life (Speaker's Corner) (Paperback)

I would classify former Consumer Party

Candidate as of the 'Far Political

Middle' rather than a liberal but he

became a Populist late in life and

was probably the best Democrat running

again in 1992! Very good book with

proper insights into the American

Political scene. A life well lived!