Customer Reviews

Rexford G. Tugwell: A Biography

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A biography about Rexford Tugwell is in great demand, unfortunately the author does not deliver. The first weakness the reader will encounter is the very poor writing style of the author. The entire book lacks a flow from point to point which should pull the reader through the chapters. Even with this said, the true underlying fault in the writing is the complete absence of Tugwell's dark personal life. It is common knowledge, among most New Deal historians, Tugwell had extramarital affairs. However, Michael Namorato does not mention these affairs. In fact, one of these affairs was with a woman who Tugwell later married. This is a major fact which must be included so that the reader can understand what kind of person he was. The author's silence on this topic shows his inability to break away from his own bias. After all, true historians attempt to eliminate their own preconceived biases (Carr). This absence just makes the reader also wonder how much more Namorato is not telling us.

It is true research on Tugwell is much needed but Namorato does not deliver. It is no doubt Michael Namorato is a some what average researcher but the fact he picks and chooses the information he wishes to present severely discredits his objectivity as a historian. This fact combined with a terrible, dry writing style should leave the reader with an undying need never to read another one of his works again. It says on the book, Namorato is a professor at the University of Mississippi. If this is true, this reviewer only hopes he does not torture his students with this abominable book.

Cons
- Horrible readability
- Complete absence of major sections of Tugwell's personal life

Pros
- Good example on how not to write a biography