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Charles B. Rangel
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And I Haven't Had a Bad Day Since: From the Streets of Harlem to the Halls of Congress Paperback – Illustrated, August 5, 2008

by Charles B. Rangel (Author), Leon Wynter (Contributor)
4.0 4.0 out of 5 stars 21 ratings
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"Long on sass and spirit . . . brims with brio. . . As a politician/raconteur with a hell of a tale to tell, he sure has my vote."―The New York Times Book Review

In this inspiring and often humorous memoir, the outspoken Democratic congressman from Harlem―later the chairman of the powerful House Ways and Means Committee―tells about his early years on Lenox Avenue, being awarded a Bronze Star and a Purple Heart for wounds sustained in a horrific Korean War battle (the last bad day of his life, he says), and his many years in Congress.

A charming, natural storyteller, Rangel recalls growing up in Harlem, where from the age of nine he always had at least one job, including selling the legendary Adam Clayton Powell's newspaper; his group of streetwise sophisticates who called themselves Les Garçons; and his time in law school―a decision made as much to win his grandfather's approval as to establish a career. He recounts as well his life in New York politics during the 1960s and the grueling civil rights march from Selma to Montgomery.

With New York street smarts, Rangel is a tough liberal and an independent thinker, but also a collegial legislator respected by Democrats and Republicans alike who knows and honors the House's traditions. First elected to Congress in 1970, Rangel served on the House Judiciary Committee during the hearings on the articles of impeachment of President Nixon, helped found the Congressional Black Caucus, and led the fight in Congress to pressure U.S. corporations to divest from apartheid South Africa.

Best of all, this is a political memoir with heart, the story of a life filled with friends, humor, and accomplishments. Charles Rangel is one of a kind, and this is the story of how he became the celebrated person and politician he is today. He opens his memoir with a preface about the 2006 elections and an outline of his goals as chairman of Ways and Means. From day one he wants to put the public first so that more Americans can say they haven't had a bad day since.

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  1. Print length
    336 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publication date
    August 5, 2008
  4. Dimensions
    5.5 x 0.74 x 8.5 inches
  5. ISBN-10
    0312382138
  6. ISBN-13
    978-0312382131
  7. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

Review

“Brims with brio. . . . [A] remarkable life story, irresistibly told. . . . The congressman's character portraits, of the famous and not-so-famous, are sympathetically drawn and in many cases wonderfully constructed. . . . Oh, the stories . . . there are plenty from which to choose. . . . As a politician/raconteur with a hell of a tale to tell, he sure has my vote.” ―Eric Alterman, The New York Times Book Review

“Charlie's memoir recounts his extraordinary life as only he could, with sparkling wit, outspoken candor, and remarkable insight. . . . While his heart and his voice are from Harlem, his story will inspire all Americans who believe hard work and conviction make dreams come true.” ―President Bill Clinton

“[Charlie Rangel] possesses many qualities that have made him the able legislator and national leader he is today, but the most important of these are the qualities most in evidence in this fine memoir--his compassion, confidence and patriotism, the qualities of a first-rate American.” ―Senator John McCain

About the Author

Charles B. Rangel served 23 terms as a Democratic congressman (1971-2017) who represented New York's "Fightin' 15th" District (including Harlem and the Upper West Side). He was the chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee and a founding member of the Congressional Black Caucus. Rangel is the principal author of the $5 billion Federal Empowerment Zone demonstration project to revitalize urban neighborhoods across the U.S., and in the 1980s anti-apartheid movement he led the fight in Congress to pressure U.S. corporations to divest from South Africa. He served in the U.S. Army from 1948 to 1952, and was awarded the Purple Heart and Bronze Star for service in Korea.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ St. Martin's Griffin; First Edition (August 5, 2008)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 336 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0312382138
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0312382131
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 11.2 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.5 x 0.74 x 8.5 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.0 4.0 out of 5 stars 21 ratings

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Charles B. Rangel

Charles B. Rangel

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4 out of 5 stars
21 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

LML
5.0 out of 5 stars Politics - Art of the Possible
Reviewed in the United States on October 20, 2007
Verified Purchase
I was flipping channels when I came across an interview with Charles Rangel on the Charlie Rose show. I was not familiar with him or his politics but he had a level of energy and charisma that led me to look him up online.

I enjoy political biographies and memoirs and was interested in his perspective based on his 30+ years in Congress. He has led a fascinating life from his boyhood days to serving the country in Korea to working the political machine in DC and NY.

"You can not imagine and dream what you have not been informed of." This statement in an early chapter foreshadows how Mr. Rangel built a career and a life with no precedent in his immediate surroundings. The human story of his adventures keeps the book interesting. He is a great example of a person who learns from his experiences and is continuously applying it while striving to make a difference with his politics.

The complicated mix of friendships, loyalties, opponents and foes are as expected with a political leader. Extraordinary stories describe his alliances and longstanding loyalties to his district. The fact that he has lived within the same area of Harlem since his childhood shows his dedication and commitment, as well as a marathon level of perseverance.

I may not agree 100% with his politics but he has a way of stating his position that is impressive. One example is his stance on the war and the draft. Having served in the military during wartime, he is uniquely qualified to represent the interests of our soldiers. His position that those who support a war should support a draft is thought-provoking. Meaning if you support the war, you should support potentially having those closest to you as active participants.

I'm surprised that I was not familiar with Charlie Rangel before, but I'm glad that I caught up with this biography. I appreciated learning about him, his career and most importantly his political stance that has and will continue to shape legislation.
7 people found this helpful
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Jerry Gunter
4.0 out of 5 stars Evolution of a Good Man
Reviewed in the United States on May 13, 2007
A candid telling of the development of a good man by the man himself. Without rancor, he recalls a time in America when change was commonplace and opportunity for a black man grew as a result of the efforts of good men and women.
2 people found this helpful
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Wendel J. Marsh
5.0 out of 5 stars A candid autobiography of a powerful politician.
Reviewed in the United States on February 12, 2008
Verified Purchase
Congressman Rangel's autobiography is exceptionally candid. For anyone interested in politics this is a must read. He tells it as it was and is. I can't think of any political autobiography that is so candidly self critical. While Mr. Rangel does trumpet his many accomplishments he does not shrink from expressing doubts about himself. It is no wonder that his constituents have maintained him in office for 37 years and that he garners over 90% of the vote in each congressional re-election.

He a "little guy's champion." It would be difficult not to like him even if you do not agree with his legislative positions.
2 people found this helpful
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Serious Shopper
5.0 out of 5 stars His love for people and our country comes through the pages
Reviewed in the United States on June 11, 2016
Verified Purchase
Very insightful. Not only did Congressman Rangel share his family history and his exploits as a young man; he lets the reader in on his heartfelt thoughts as an American. His love for people and our country comes through the pages, with his account as a soldier in the Korean War, I wept for the loss of life described. An excellent read for anyone interested in history, government, politics and Harlem.
One person found this helpful
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Kwan Hin Ki
3.0 out of 5 stars Good read
Reviewed in the United States on September 3, 2013
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Good book, recommended for anyone who want to know about Charles, African Americans, the Black community, Democrats and US Congress.
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Napoleon Mitchell
5.0 out of 5 stars Charlie Rangel's Book
Reviewed in the United States on May 14, 2007
Verified Purchase
This book is excellent reading for all of America.

If you want to understand politics, racism and urban communities ,then this is the must read book for 2007.
3 people found this helpful
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D. Mariam
5.0 out of 5 stars And I haven't Had a Bay Day Since: From the Streets of Harlem to the Halls of Congress
Reviewed in the United States on April 28, 2007
Meeting and talking with Congressman Rangel, one would never even imagine the kind of tough street life he lived through in his youth. Despite his upbringing in an environment where drugs, alcohol and gangs played such a devastating havoc on many of the youth of the community, Charles Rangel projects the persona of the Catholic altar boy that he was, and to many of those who have known him in his professional life he is nothing like what he describes he was early in his life. What one immediately notices are his gentlemanly and conciliatory demeanor, his championship for democratic values, and sensitivity to the needs of his constituents. His book, "And I Haven't Had a Bad Day Since ..." is a chronicle of his life experiences and observations for over 70 years beginning in the 1930's. It is a special story, a book of Americana, in which community, national and international politics are explained with wisdom and wit. It describes the congressman's early struggles growing up in Harlem; his combat experiences in Korea where he became a decorated war hero, but after his return home once again back on the street with no education or job; then studying his butt off for all his lost time at New York University and Saint John's Law School with the help of the GI Bill; his subsequent elections to city, state and finally to the US Congress where he reached to the position of "Chairman-in-Waiting" for the House Ways and Means Committee. The book documents the congressman's legislative agenda on a local and national level, vividly details the arcane art of constituent politics and political alliances, and his dealings with local and national leaders, including with past and present United States Presidents. The book is a great lesson in politics, morality, legislative and leadership skills, and diplomacy all rolled in one. I found it highly educational, entertaining and fascinating. It is one of the best books I have read in a long time.

D. H. Mariam
12 people found this helpful
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