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Terry Sanford: Politics, Progress, and Outrageous Ambitions

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Former North Carolina Governor and United States Senator Terry Sanford is one of this century's outstanding political leaders. While serving as Governor in the early sixties, Sanford became known nationwide for his commitment to improving education in North Carolina.

Covington and Ellis' biography of Sanford offers a great deal of insight into Sanford's formative years and his political career. The authors researched their subject thoroughly, and the reader gains a great deal of insight into North Carolina politics and into the historical forces shaping the country.

Many of Sanford's colleagues, family, and friends were interviewed for this book, and their stories and perspectives add depth to this book. Many of the characters in the book are still active in North Carolina politics, including "Jimmy Hunt" (as he is referred to in the book) who now serves as Governor of North Carolina.

People who still believe that our government can be a force for good, and that a political life can be synonomous with a life of public service, will be inspired by this book and by the life of this outstanding public servant.

Anyone who lives in North Carolina will learn much about the state's recent political history in this book. And anyone who is interested in progressive politics should read it too. Terry Sanford's forward-thinking approach to government is an inspiration, particularly in the areas of race and education.

Every Tarheel, or any non-Tarheel who has an interest in one of the most important political figures in the South, Terry Sanford, should read this book. Senator in the NC General Assembly, Governor, President of Duke University, and US Senator, this book covers it all. It provides an interesting look at Southern politics, and how our past still effects us to this day. There should be a "Six Degrees of Terry Sanford" game, as he can be linked to practically anybody in the field of NC or National politics. Kerr Scott, Lauch Faircloth, Bill Clinton, John Edwards, The George Bushes, Al Gore, Jesse Helms, Jesse Jackson, Richard Nixon, Elizabeth Dole & Erskine Bowles (both front runners from their respective parties in the 2002 Senate race) and the list goes on. Terry Sanford witnessed great movements in history. The race issue in the South, a political atmospheric change, the wheeling and dealing of politicians. Throughout he kept his values and goals, which helped him become a symbol of Progressive policies, and helped place Duke University into national prominence. This should be required reading!

Outrageous Ambition" by Howard E. Covington, Jr., and Marion A. Ellis is the biography of Terry Sanford. Sanford was a North Carolina politician, child of the depression, President of Duke University, Governor, Senator and failed Presidential Candidate. The book chronicles his life and times. It assesses the impact he had on the state and visa versa.

This book is excellent.

The writers have a readable and exciting style of prose. The narrative moves along well.

The book is not simply a story about Sanford's life, though that is covered in good order. It is a history of the politics of North Carolina from the 1930's to the early 1990's. It would be of benefit to students and teachers, and any reader who wanted to more about this era in state politics. The account of desegregation is especially well written.

As for the biographical nature of the book, it is clear that the authors liked their subject, and made no attempt to hide that fact. This is a clearly stated account of Sanford's life from two admirers. Though the book is not free of some criticisms, the writers measure Sanford's life and find the good outweighed the bad. Their case is strong.

From his efforts to improve public education and race relations in North Carolina to his success in transforming Duke into one of the top universities in the country, Terry Sanford left an indelible impact upon both the North Carolina and the nation. In this book, Howard Covington and Marion Ellis provide a sympathetic account of Sanford's life. Using an impressive array of sources, including Sanford's papers and interviews with Sanford and dozens of other figures, the authors chronicle his life and times, from his childhood in Laurinburg to his years as governor, university president, and United States senator.

Yet this is more than just a biography of a great public servant. In seeking to explain Sanford's achievement, Covington and Ellis provide the context of his life and career. Their subject occasionally recedes into the background as they navigate state politics or describe the issues Sanford faced as president of Duke University, but it helps the reader better understand the challenges he faced and the full measure of his achievements. This perspective that they provide makes the book a valuable resource not just for understanding Sanford but the many areas of American life that he effected in his lifetime.