Wallace: The Classic Portrait of Alabama Governor George Wallace [Paperback]

Marshall Frady (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 3, 1996

A deeper look at the bigger than life person of Alabama Governor George Wallace.

--This text refers to the Kindle Edition edition.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

George Wallace is the most important failed American presidential candidate of the 20th century. He rose to national prominence during the first of his four official terms as governor of Alabama (there was also the term served by his first wife, Lurleen, when state law prohibited him from a third consecutive run at the office) by fulfilling a promise made to a group of state senators: "I'm going to make race the basis of politics in this state, and I'm going to make it the basis of politics in this country." His commitment to the racial segregation he believed the people of Alabama wanted, when taken to the national level, led to the articulation of a conservative working-class voter demographic that was eventually harnessed by Ronald Reagan in the 1980 elections and without which the candidacies of Ross Perot and Patrick Buchanan would seem much less plausible.

Marshall Frady's Wallace is more than a political biography; it is a portrait in words. It crackles with the liveliness of Wallace on the Alabama campaign trail, capturing the feel of an era in which Southern politicians could still publicly refer to black Americans with a certain word without the slightest trace of self-consciousness. There are some remarkable passages within, including a conversation in which Governor Wallace tries to put Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy on the spot as to the potential deployment of federal troops to enforce the integration of the University of Alabama. Readers will also learn that, for all his racial demagoguery--of which he would repent late in life--Wallace was in many ways a rather liberal statesman, launching massive social programs, and in every way a canny politician despite appearances. --Ron Hogan

Product Details

• Paperback: 304 pages
• Publisher: Random House; 1st Random House, Inc. paperback ed edition (June 3, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 067977128X
• ISBN-13: 978-0679771289
• Product Dimensions: 5.5 x 0.8 x 8.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.5 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #801,910 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars "unbelievably likeable", November 7, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Wallace: The Classic Portrait of Alabama Governor George Wallace (Paperback)

Even if you don't agree with the political message or the idiological slant of this character, you will be extremely glad that you read this character depiction. This takes you through each rise and fall along with his influence on many well-known Alabama political figures.

6 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars INTERESTING, October 8, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Wallace: The Classic Portrait of Alabama Governor George Wallace (Paperback)

Frady definately has the usual liberal anti-Wallace attitude, but he has a lively writing style and, at times, does give credit to some Wallace's populist accomplishments.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Frady is an excellent writer, October 23, 2004

By 

Robert Tonucci (Odenton, Maryland) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Wallace: The Classic Portrait of Alabama Governor George Wallace (Paperback)

Has some wonderful passages, especially on Wallace's youth. His biography of Billy Graham is also top-notch. Frady is a superb prose stylist who can evoke a setting and an age masterfully.