Kurtz (History/Southeastern Louisiana Univ.) and Peoples (retired:
History/Louisiana Technical Univ.) make extensive use of FBI files
obtained under the Freedom of Information Act in this in-depth,
engrossing biography of the former Louisiana governor. Though at
times too admiring and forgiving, the authors vividly provide some
insight into the seedier aspects of Long's life, including his
connections to organized crime, his bitter rivalry with his older
brother Huey, "The Kingfish," his wild relationship with stripper
Blaze Starr, and his "breakdowns" and confinement in mental
institutions later in his controversial career. In the shadow of
his more famous brother both historically and personally, Earl Long
is nonetheless an important and fascinating political figure. The
authors begin with his early career as a lawyer and travelling
salesman - of patent medicines. Long's early political experience
was gained by campaigning for his brother, as he learned the ins
and outs of "politicking" and financing. As passionate and
entertaining a speaker as his brother, and as popular in some
circles, Earl's rivalry with Huey became public knowledge in the
early 1930's when Earl ran for lieutenant governor on an anti-Huey
campaign. Despite the bad blood (he even testified against Huey in
a 1933 Senate investigation), Earl was devastated at his brother's
assassination in 1935. When he became lieutenant governor in 1936
and, finally, governor in 1948, it was on his own merit and in
great measure on positions opposed to those of Huey. The authors
contend that, despite the controversies and his contributions to
"the most corrupt political system in the nation," Earl Long was a
progressive and effective governor and an early champion of civil
rights - that he had a "genuine commitment to improving the lives
of the people." Probably too sympathetic to be definitive, but
still a fascinating character study and a telling look at a
political system gone awry. (Kirkus Reviews)
In a region famous for its flamboyant politicians, Earl K. Long
was one of the most flamboyant of them all. This first full-scale
biography of the former Louisiana governor explores his
controversial life-style and his strong family ties, his raw humor
and his political savvy, his abuse of power and his accomplishments
in the areas of civil rights and public services. Michael L. Kurtz
and Morgan D. Peoples provide new information from recently
declassified FBI files concerning Earl's ties with organized crime
figures, give the first comprehensive account of his stays in
mental institutions in 1959, and offer factual information about
his notorious relationship with the stripper Blaze Star. Based on
more than two decades of research in a variety of sources, this
important biography fills a serious gap in the history of modern
Louisiana politics.
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