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Herding Cats: A Life in Politics Hardcover – August 23, 2005

4.1 out of 5 stars 31

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Mastering the game and weathering the storms -- a riveting and candid memoir from one of washington's true insiders

For more than thirty years, Trent Lott of Mississippi has been one of the dominant figures in American political life. From the moment he was elected to the House of Representatives in 1972, he has been a leader in the conservative movement that has changed the course of the nation. From his years in Congress to his ascent to majority leader of the Senate -- and his decision to leave that post in the heat of controversy -- Herding Cats is the frank and revealing chronicle of a unique political life.

Lott's story bridges an extraordinary time in American history. As a fraternity leader during the integration of the University of Mississippi, he helped contain the violence that accompanied James Meredith's enrollment as the university's first African American student. As a congressman during Watergate, he mounted a fierce defense of Richard Nixon -- until Gerald Ford quietly counseled him to think twice. A passionate advocate of smaller government, Lott describes his painful choice to support Gerald Ford over his challenger Ronald Reagan in the 1976 election -- and his delight in helping lead the revolution that followed Reagan's win in 1980.

Yet it was in his dramatic engagements with the Clinton administration that Lott found his greatest victories -- and challenges. Working in secret through political adviser Dick Morris, Lott reveals, he persuaded Clinton to accept health insurance and welfare reform laws, along with spending cuts that balanced the national budget. But he was aghast when years of work on a tobacco settlement were scuttled by the White House in 1997 -- possibly because of Al Gore's desire to exploit tobacco as a political issue. With surprising candor, Lott portrays his fruitful working partnership with Democratic leader Tom Daschle during the Clinton impeachment, and again in the hours after the attacks of September 11, 2001. And he describes in painful detail his decision to resign as majority leader after his remarks at Senator Strom Thurmond's 100th birthday party -- a move he made when it became clear that the Bush White House had circled the wagons against him.

Marked by the same straight-talking style and good humor he has shown throughout his career in public service, Trent Lott's Herding Cats is the memoir of a true master of American political life.


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Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Trent Lott is the junior senator from Mississippi. He currently chairs both the Rules and Administration Committee and the Surface Transportation Subcommittee and serves on the Select Committee on Intelligence and the Finance Committee. He lives with his family in Washington, D.C., and Pascagoula, Mississippi.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ William Morrow; 1st edition (August 23, 2005)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 320 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0060599316
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0060599317
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.3 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6.75 x 1.25 x 9.75 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.1 out of 5 stars 31

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4.1 out of 5 stars
4.1 out of 5
31 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Reviewed in the United States on September 3, 2012
Im a student got this book for class, honestly the best chapter is the hair one ! It's an easy read even if your not so excited about the subject its a fast read. I found it interesting because it gives you a nice perspective on what its like to have a political career and what challenges you have to face, like good and bad media. How its like to go from the House to the Senate and what changes one can expect. I like it I was going to go and do a buy back but honestly im just going to hold on to it. I paid $4.00 so for that price I cant complain. enjoy and good luck.
Reviewed in the United States on April 25, 2019
Although I may not agree with his politics, Lott’s book is eminently readable and fun - packed with memories of times gone by, he traces his roots and speaks candidly about his family issues while also spinning great yarns. Lott was a masterful politician and a great story-teller ... especially for a man not known for his charisma
Reviewed in the United States on June 11, 2009
Senator Trent Lott is one of the most consummate politicians in the USA today, as demonstrated by his quick rise to become Senate Majority Leader, and as demonstrated by the story he tells of his life in this book. The title of this book refers to his job controlling the Senate and trying to get legislation pass. The book itself traces his life from birth in rural Mississippi to a sharecropper father, his days in school, and his gradual rise thru public office and then to his fall from the Senate Majority leader post after his remarks at Strom Thurmond's birthday.

The image Lott portrays of himself is that of a skilled politician who is good with people, great at collaborating with others, and a good compromiser. All good; but the book lacks any significant discussion of his political stances and how they came to be. No mention of his stance on abortion, gun rights, free trade, fuel-efficiency standards, the drug war, or a host of other issues. Instead, we get the superficial claptrap about how he and his parents worked hard all their life, and hence how this justifies his support of welfare reforms during the Clinton administration. His only mention of environmental issues is the mention that his waterfront house on the Gulf Coast overlooks gas rigs out on the ocean. He states these are safe since gas does not leak! Either he is lying or misinformed as all fluids (gas or liquid) can leak and cause a safety or environmental hazard.

Probably the biggest hole in this book is the total absence of his voting record while serving in the Mississippi state legislature. No mention of which committees he served on in the state legislature, which bills he supported, which bills he opposed, etc... My bet is that he partook in a lot of favors (bribes) in order to rise to the US Senate so quickly. The other interesting absence was the subject of race. During the integration period of the 1960's, he was in student government in Ole Miss, and kept out of affairs, and kept his frat brothers out of affairs also. So much of leadership. There is also no mention of affirmative action in this book.

So overall, I view this book as a pat-on-the-back affair. Minimal serious discussion of any issue really. Good thing I only paid one cent for this book.
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Reviewed in the United States on December 22, 2012
I was surprised at the great condition of the book just as described pages were never turned and minimal damage to the dust cover
Reviewed in the United States on December 30, 2014
Strange but true.
Reviewed in the United States on September 7, 2005
Senator Trent Lott has been provided our nation with great service and leadership. This perfectly titled book is a well written memoir that recounts key events from his working class roots through his selfless return to the Senate after the frenzied Strom Thurmond affair. The book has the right size and pace for the story it tells. One of the justifications of a book treatment of a subject is whether or not the book gives you insight into a topic that is not available through news reports. This book delivers those insights and details. I came away feeling I understood Senator Lott much better even when I disagree with his actions or views.

Lott grew up in a working class family whose parents' marriage was strained. His father held many jobs with varying degrees of failure and then drank too much to deaden the pain. Still, Lott did well in school, went to Ole Miss and got his law degree. He was did very well socially and got a well connected job in a good firm that led to him working on the staff of a prominent Mississippi Congressman, William Colmer.

Eventually, he was elected to the US House of Representatives and rose to becoming minority whip. When the opportunity came, he ran for the Senate and was elected to that chamber in 1988. His tales of his work there and his rise through those ranks to becoming minority leader and the majority leader are all very interesting.

As Lott discusses his political genuine accomplishments and dealings with others in government, it is clear that he is a man of energy, quality, purpose, and one who has great faith in government. He is surely in his proper element in Congress.

During his time as Majority Leader he worked very closely with President Clinton. They, along with the House, were able to pass a great deal of legislation including Welfare Reform. This close working partnership was fostered by their common political adviser, Dick Morris. Unfortunately, this was also during the 1996 Presidential campaign and had a deleterious effect on the Dole campaign. I do not know if this was decisive, but Lott admits that the Dole campaign was well aware of the problem this legislative festival had for them. The Senator expresses some trouble with this divided loyalty, but claims larger considerations.

Senator Lott also worked very hard to try and get a tobacco settlement. It would have been a huge bill and as Lott describes it, what he was working for would have been much better than the awful settlement done by the various states. Lott admits that he likes to make law, and, for me, this bill is a perfect example of why this is more of a vice than a virtue. The only reason such public action against the tobacco industry is possible is because adult smoking has dropped from nearly 60% when I was a child to under 25% today. They are a political minority and since smoking is continually diminishing and becoming increasingly a socially unacceptable practice, why is this huge lawsuit necessary? Certain lawyers petitioned for over a BILLION dollars in fees. I do not know what they were paid, but it seems insane to me. This was much more about the states trying to get money to balance their budgets so they can keep the money spigot flowing.

The real damage of this approach is discovered only later. Others use these same precedents to sue other industries on ever more specious charges, but the companies have to settle because the public and the courts are already acculturated to taking the money to fund the states and reward those who brought the suits. This is a Pandora's Box that should never have been opened.

However, the way Trent Lott was treated for a few casual remarks for Strom Thurmond's 100th (!!!) birthday party is just inexcusable. No one believes Lott is a racist. Admittedly the words were careless and Lott explains how they came about. I believe his explanation. However, Lott brought much of the misery on himself. He handled the early fires poorly and as they grew despite his multiple apologies he lost his bearing and hid out in Florida.

The most interesting and telling part of the book is Lott's expression of disappointment in the President, his staff, and certain Senators who should have supported him and, Lott feels, could have saved him from having to resign. I wonder if they all remember how Lott, with larger considerations in mind, threw Dole overboard, and felt justified with their own larger considerations. Washington politics are tough and Lott came out on the bad side of that.

However, I don't want to be too hard on him. Lott could have resigned the Senate as well and put the Republicans back in the 50/50 power sharing mode of 2000. That would have been horrible. Instead, Lott showed real maturity and stayed on. He worked with the new leadership and helped them as much as they would let him. Lott tells us how he would have done things differently, and I have to admit he does sound like a more skillful hand. But where was that skill and ability during the Thurmond crisis?

This is a good read if you are interested in contemporary politics. And you should be.
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