Sly and Able: A Political Biography of James F. Byrnes [Hardcover]

David Robertson (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 1994

Few political figures have had as long, as varied and as consequential a career in American history as Jimmy Byrnes. This master politician and self-made man served for half a century, as congressman and later as key New Deal senator fom his native South Carolina; as Supreme Court justice; as "assistant president" during the Second World War; as Truman's secretary of state in the early years of the Cold War; and, finally, as governor of South Carolina. He came tantalisingly close to the American presidency and was a key participant in the decision to drop the atomic bomb on Japan. In later years he was a seminal figure in the so-called Southern Strategy that brought Richard Nixon to the White House. For his shrewdness and mastery of the art of politics Byrnes earned the sobriquet "sly and able". He was surely both - and one of the key shapers of American politics in this century.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Born in near poverty, James Byrnes (1882-1972) rose to become a powerful New Deal senator, served briefly as a Supreme Court justice, was FDR's wartime economic czar, and was appointed by President Truman as his first secretary of state. Years later, as Democrat-turned-Republican governor of South Carolina, Byrnes implemented the so-called Southern Strategy to Richard Nixon's advantage at the 1968 Republican convention. Robertson, who has taught at Clemson Univ. in South Carolina, describes how close Byrnes came to becoming the thirty-third president, only to be double-crossed in 1944 when FDR discarded him as a political liability and picked Truman as his running mate. The author reveals new information about Byrnes's role in the dropping of the atomic bomb, the terms of surrender with Japan and Secretary of State Byrnes's most successful diplomatic achievement: maneuvering Soviet troops out of Iran in 1946. Robertson's account of this subtle, manipulative politician documents in detail how one man served in all three branches of government, acquired enormous political clout and wielded it with great effect. A major political biography.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal

The death in 1972 of South Carolinian James F. "Jimmy" Byrnes at the age of 89 ended a political career of well over half a century. Few political leaders have held so many different political offices. Byrnes served in both houses of Congress, held top-level administrative positions during Franklin Roosevelt's administration, was an associate justice of the U.S. Supreme Court, served as secretary of state during the early part of Harry Truman's presidency, and was elected governor of his home state. He influenced many of the most important domestic and foreign policy decisions of Democratic administrations from Woodrow Wilson through Harry Truman. Biographer Robertson's comprehensive and well-researched examination of Byrnes's career emphasizes his considerable skills as a broker of political deals and a builder of coalitions-skills that contemporary politicians rarely possess to the same degree. A useful addition to the history collections of academic and large public libraries.
Thomas H. Ferrell, Univ. of Southwestern Louisiana, Lafayette
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 576 pages
• Publisher: W W Norton & Co Inc; 1St Edition edition (December 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0393033678
• ISBN-13: 978-0393033670
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.3 x 1.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.5 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #902,761 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Biography of James F. Byrnes, March 29, 1997

By A Customer

This review is from: Sly and Able: A Political Biography of James F. Byrnes (Hardcover)

Political biographies are difficult to write and oftentimes more difficult to read. David Robertson's biography of James F. Byrnes is rich in detail, history, and brings alive the character of many prominent political figures. James F. Byrnes served as a Congressman, United States Senator, and Governor of South Carolina as well as an Associate Justice of the United States Supreme Court, Secretary of State under Harry S. Truman, and "Assistant President" to Franklin D. Roosevelt. Brynes's autobiography was appropriately titled, "All In One Lifetime". Robertson has skillfully described the political life of Byrnes who rightfully enjoyed a reputation as one of the most crafty powerbrokers in the country. Byrnes's career stretched from just after the turn of the century until leaving office as Governor in 1955. Brynes remained extremely influential in South Carolina, helping to push the Palmetto State towards the Republican party, despite his having held office as a Democrat. Robertson beautifully illustrates not only Byrnes, but a host of personalities including FDR, Truman, and South Carolina personages such as racist Governor and Brynes foe Coley Blease. Any student of history should certainly read "Sly and Able". Those who are interested in history, South Carolina, politics, government, or the struggle for equality and civil rights will surely find David Robertson's biography of James F. Byrnes a rewarding experience

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars All in One Lifetime, February 2, 2005

By 

J. Niederhoffer - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Sly and Able: A Political Biography of James F. Byrnes (Hardcover)

An excellent, thoughtful account of one of the most versatile and underrated American statesmen of the twentieth century. As is noted toward the end of the book, Jimmy Byrnes started out his political life as a Progressive-era Democratic reformer and ended it as an unofficial senior advisor to Richard Nixon. To learn about the kind of careful, brilliant political positioning that would make a transformation like THAT possible, I would strongly encourage you to read the book.