Paul Wellstone: The Life of a Passionate Progressive (Paperback)

~ Mr. Bill Lofy (Author)
Key Phrases: state auditor, green bus, interview transcript, Paul Wellstone, White House, North Carolina (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

Abrasive and iconoclastic, Wellstone arrived in Washington, D.C., as Minnesota's newest U.S. senator in 1990 and offended everyone from his fellow senator from Minnesota, Dave Durenberger, to Vice President Dan Quayle to veterans groups to many of his own constituents. In less than a year, the former college professor who stumbled into politics adjusted his approach. By smoothing his rough edges but keeping his passion for issues of social and economic justice, Wellstone rendered himself an effective legislator, building alliances in both political parties. Lofy, a family friend and former campaign and staff worker, offers a look at the personal and political development of a man whose death in a plane crash in 2002 was mourned by a cross section of political figures. Wellstone was well regarded for his serious perspective on the role of politics in progressive social policy. The appendix of this fascinating book includes some of Wellstone's key speeches. Vanessa Bush
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Review

"This vividly written book captures the life and personal qualities of the late Senator Paul Wellstone. In so doing it provides an illuminating gloss on 'Max Weber's seminal exposition of the political vocation. It is a jewel of a book." - Fred Greenstein, Princeton University"

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Product Details

• Paperback: 184 pages
• Publisher: University of Michigan Press (August 29, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0472031198
• ISBN-13: 978-0472031191
• Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 5 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #754,568 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Brillant, September 7, 2005

By	B. McDonough - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Bill Lofy's Paul Wellstone: The Life of a Passionate Progessive is a brillant book. Mr. Lofy has distilled the essence of Senator Wellstone and unequivocally demonstrates just why Wellstone was so special, why he changed peoples' lives and why he is so missed. This book is more than a recounting of the Senator's life. It also provides thoughtful and moving political analysis of Wellstone's work and achievements. Abraham Joshua Heschel, the noted Jewish philosopher, historian and social reformer, said shortly before his own death that we must "Know that every deed counts, that every word is power...Above all, remember that you must build your life as if it were a work of art." Paul Wellstone's life was such a work of art and Bill Lofy shows us why.

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Northfield's Own, October 12, 2005

By	Sean M. Virnig - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

What first started out as an article on the impact of Paul Wellstone's politics, Bill Lofy's Paul Wellstone: The Life of a Passionate Progressive transformed into a biography to be reckoned with. Starting with Paul's childhood and formative years to the day of his untimely departure, the book captures Paul's deep convictions and principles for social justice and progressive changes, which had forever altered the domestic politics landscape. One could double the biography as a platform for Paul's radical, oftentimes effective mechanism "...for the little guy versus the big guy." In a nutshell, Mr. Lofy succeeded in presenting Paul's bold resolve to espouse populist idealism in sharply divided American politics by foraying into academic politics and community activism and inevitably the Senate, as if he knew that, quoting the start of a chapter, "to be sure, mere passion, however genuinely felt is not enough." Presumably written on the behalf of many, this book is an embodiment of Paul's passion and integrity to remain genuine in the face of victories celebrated and failures embraced with dignity and humor. Resonating Paul's strength and vigor, the book offers lessons in life and leadership for everybody, regardless of affiliations. From the wresting mat to unorthodox campaign strategies, Paul's uncanny ability to rise in times of uncertainty inspired his constituents to "raise hell," like the book asserts Paul liked to say. However, that transpires the impulsivity Paul had acknowledged from time to time while remaining true to himself not to make decisions he did not believe in. In calculating courage in action, Paul showed us how, quoting Max Weber, he "...would not have attained the possible unless time and again he had reached out for the impossible." Conclusion can be made that the book is not just about Paul's impact on politics but also his passion for everybody. In the same vein, the book would share that when Paul visited a deaf awareness fair, he marveled at sign language and asked how to sign "beautiful." Like the book, that gesture of genuine appreciation for humanity Paul had so revered throughout his life could not be better exemplified.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Tribute to a Life Short but Well Lived, November 15, 2005

By	John Matlock "Gunny" (Winnemucca, NV) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Regardless of your views on either the left or the right, you have to appreciate the life that Paul Wellstone lived. From a kid in trouble to college professor to United States Senator is neither an easy nor a likely path. But that's what Paul Wellstone did.

In this book Bill Lofy, Communications Director of Wellstone Action, the organization created to carry on Paul and Sheila Wellstone's legacy after their death, writes a biography of his life. But more than that, this book provides some insight to the problems that beset political life today. The point of view of Mr. Lofy is, of course, progressive or liberal as we used to say. More than that, though, is the love that he shows to Paul Wellstone as a person, not just a politician.