Huey long was a fiery and charismatic louisiana politician who moved up the ranks at a young age. August 30, 1893 september 10, 1935, nicknamed the kingfish, was an american politician who served as the 40th governor of louisiana from 1928 to 1932 and was a. Senator huey long, the characteristics of a demagogue and the possibility that long is a demagogue. Huey pierce long is credited as politician, governor of louisiana. Kingfish to america by huey pierce long, henry m christman. Long, which truth has been kept from the public by authors, journalists, and historians. Long, william hair, louisiana state university press, 1991. Instead, the author focuses almost i hesitated before reading the reign of huey p. A look at the life and career of controversial louisiana governor huey long, whose nickname. Long is a 1995 television drama starring john goodman and directed by thomas schlamme. Strippers, insane asylums, assassination, and termites. August 30, 1893 september 10, 1935, nicknamed the kingf ish, was an american politician who served as the 40th governor of louisiana from 1928 to 1932 and was a member of the united states senate from 1932 until his assassination in 1935. Arguably the most colorful politician in american history, huey p.
One need only look back to the rise and reign of louisiana governor and united states senator huey p. Sep 08, 2010 harvey fields, a long supporter and once the head of the state democratic party, wrote a book in 1944 titled, a true history of the life, works, assassination and death of huey pierce long. Senator in 1930, ruled louisiana as a virtual dictator, but he also initiated massive public works programs, improved public education and public health, and even established some restrictions on corporate power in the state. Huey long official website biography, quotes, photos, speeches. August 30, 1893 september 10, 1935, nicknamed the kingfish, was an american politician who served as the 40th governor of louisiana from 1928 to 1932 and was a member of the united states senate from 1932 until his assassination in 1935. Huey long was known as the kingfish, a takecharge problem solver who delivered immediate relief to the suffering and powerless. He was no choir boy, but his accomplishments awed me in this terrific biography that is a roller coaster read. Long could no more hide his delusions of grandeur than trump can today. He was a democrat and noted for his radical populist policies. He was one of the demagogues who became prominent during the great depression.
Then you can start reading kindle books on your smartphone, tablet, or computer no kindle device required. Increased the share of state taxes paid by corporations, and also embarked on public works projects including new schools. Feb 06, 2018 by 1921, huey long was one of the most powerful and popular men in the state, and was known as the kingfish. This helped him relate to the poor people of louisiana. The fictionalized account of louisianas colorful and notorious governor, huey pierce long, all the kings men follows the startling rise and fall of willie stark, a country lawyer in the deep south of the 1930s. A look at the life and career of controversial louisiana governor huey long, whose nickname was the kingfish. I thought he was a crook who became popular and flamed out.
After a failed run for the governors mansion in 1924, long ran again in 1928. He served as governor of louisiana from 1928 to 1932. At age 34, he was the youngest governor ever elected in the state. Oct 21, 2012 long took the nickname the kingfish, from the radio show amos and andy. Huey long is without a doubt one of the most interesting and controversial politicians that the united states has ever produced. As the political leader of louisiana, he commanded wide networks of supporters and was willing to take forceful and dictatorial. Harry williams, is the story of the kingfish and louisiana politics. Brilliant, compelling, and absorbingone of the best books ever done on huey long and his times. The author has done thorough research, used unknown or new materials to give huey long a more accurate and truthful portrait. Huey long august 30, 1893 september 10, 1935, american. Huey long was buried on the grounds of the new state capitol he built.
Controversy, mystery still surround the death of huey p. Hueys widow, rose, received thousands of condolence letters from across the country. With john goodman, matt craven, anne heche, ann dowd. White if you have traveled to or live in louisiana, i think you will agree that it is one americans most unique states. By 1921, huey long was one of the most powerful and popular men in the state, and was known as the kingfish. Feb 26, 2018 the following video provides a short introduction to the life of huey p. The book is short on details about huey longs formative years prior to his second run for the governorship in 1928. Buy kingfish to america by huey pierce long, henry m christman online at alibris. Huey long, elected governor of louisiana in 1928 and u. Long had an impact far beyond louisiana and well after his assassination, in 1935. Senator huey long was in baton rouge, helping to push a redistricting. Increased the share of state taxes paid by corporations, and also embarked on public works projects including new schools, highways, bridges, and hospitals. The kingfish and his realm may not end the controversy, but it does significantly enrich our understanding of huey long and his world. From the moment he took office as governor in 1928 to the day an assassins bullet cut him down in donald trump is not the first delusional demagogue to run for president.
Senator in 1930, ruled louisiana as a virtual dictator, but he also initiated. The seventh of nine children, huey long was born on aug. This is the book if you want to really delve into the life of huey long. Branded a demagogue and radical by his opponents, and known. He liked to tell people he was from a poor background. Long since a pulitzer price winning biography based on oral history on longs life was also tempting. Huey long was a genius who should be as well known to americans as any. A vocal critic of corporate greed and government incompetence, huey long s share our wealth political movement swept the nation during the great depression, garnering millions of supporters and threatening the reelection of president franklin d. Highly recommend and it was one of the best political bios ive ever read. The inspiration for robert penn warrens demagogue in all the kings men, huey long was louisianas governor, then u. Long forces a crooner to play a song on the piano, then hovers over him and twitches his approval in the background. This article discusses the traits and contributions of u.
The city of new orleans has a storied past on its own and each year, it attracts millions of visitors, curious to see mardi gras fat tuesday and the worldfamous french. White in his recent biography kingfish, the sergeantatarms of the house would testify that as far as the silver, it ended up engraved with huey p. The film originally aired on tnt and was nominated for two emmy awards. After a failed run for the governors mansion in 1924, long ran again in 1928, making over 6,000 campaign stump speeches and winning over 90% of the vote. If youre looking to learn the basic story without as much detail, though still a well written book, try kingfish by richard d. A magnificent job on a man who even now arouses controversy and anger. President while depicting him as a demagogue in the tradition of hitler and. When he assumed his duties in washington, the senator had behind him a long and active speaking career on the political hustings and over the radio in louisiana. Long producers bob christiansen, rick rosenberg and john goodman hand the latter a plum role assembled from facts and fancies by writer paul monash. Huey long, the kingfish, was born in winnfield, louisiana, on august 30, 1893, to a poor farm family of strong religious convictions. Longthe selfdescribed kingfishto find a historical example rife with contemporary resonance and replete with an astounding number of episodes that suggest just how far a demagogue might be willing to go in controlling press.
Huey long was a genius who should be as well known to americans as any other great american. He was shot in a corridor outside the governors office in baton rouge. Long before the donald was the kingfish, louisiana governor and senator huey long. Originally made for cable television, this biographical drama chronicles the life of huey p. He was admitted to the bar in 1915 and practiced in winnfield and shreveport. Harry williams did a great book on huey long, but it is dated. The movie opens with a 1930s newsreel giving a report on long s plan to a run for u. For me, born in louisiana just after the second world war, the. Williams tells the story of long, from his familys arrival in louisiana until his death on tuesday, september 10, 1935.
As many as 30 years after his death, longas followers actively pushed for expansion of such governmental services as transportation, education and health. Long is brought to vivid life with goodmans swaggering portrayal. White chronicles the life of louisianas most iconic figure in the 1930s. Instead, the author focuses almost i hesitated before reading the reign of huey. Longthe selfdescribed kingfishto find a historical example rife with. He was one of the demagogues who became prominent during the great. The following video provides a short introduction to the life of huey p. Long john goodman, whose corrupt political machine dominated louisiana for years. The day huey long was shot, david zinman, university of louisiana press, updated edition, 1993, original edition, 1963. Numerous books have been written and movies made regarding the kingfish.
Huey pierce long biography, birth date, birth place and. Originally a farm boy, he was an extremely successful traveling salesman before studying law at tulane univ. Huey long official website biography, quotes, photos. Huey long was one of the most remarkable and feared politicians in american history. Long a summary of greatness, political genius, american martyr this book has been prepared for the benefit of people who want the real truth concerning huey p. Story is told in flashback, beginning with longs assassination in 1935. More than 200,000 mourners traveled to baton rouge to honor the kingfish eight times the citys population. A vocal critic of corporate greed and government incompetence, huey longs share our wealth political movement swept the nation during the great depression, garnering millions of supporters and. Charismatic political kingpin of louisiana, huey p.
Long took the nickname the kingfish, from the radio show amos and andy. Huey pierce long, 18931935, american political leader, b. Harvey fields, a long supporter and once the head of the state democratic party, wrote a book in 1944 titled, a true history of the life, works, assassination and death of huey pierce long. Long by william ivy hair and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at.
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