Frank: A Life in Politics from the Great Society to Same-Sex Marriage
| Author | : | |
| Rating | : | 4.22 (764 Votes) |
| Asin | : | 0374280304 |
| Format Type | : | paperback |
| Number of Pages | : | 400 Pages |
| Publish Date | : | 2014-07-31 |
| Language | : | English |
DESCRIPTION:
Many Americans recall Frank's lacerating wit, whether it was directed at the Clinton impeachment ("What did the president touch, and when did he touch it?") or the pro-life movement (some people believe "life begins at conception and ends at birth"). For more than four decades, he was at the center of the struggle for personal freedom and economic fairness. How did a disheveled, intellectually combative gay Jew with a thick accent become one of the most effective (and funniest) politicians of our time?Growing up in Bayonne, New Jersey, the fourteen-year-old Barney Frank made two vital discoveries about himself: he was attracted to government, and to men. From the battle over AIDS funding in the 1980s to the debates over "big government" during the Clinton years to the 2008 financial crisis, the cong
. He is a regular commentator on MSNBC and divides his time between a home with his husband near Portland, Maine, and his apartment in Newton, Massachusetts. Barney Frank represented the Fourth Congressional District of Massachusetts for more than three decades and chaired the House Financial Services Committee from 2007 to 2011
Winner of the Randy Shilts Award for Gay Nonfiction“Frank makes fascinating political history. That is part of what makes Frank so edifying: He uses his personal and political rise to argue, cogently and cleverly, for his point of view Enriching for students of politics of any (or no) stripe.” Jonathan Martin, The New York Times“A fun book to read.” Chuck Todd, Meet the Press“The early 21st century's answer to Mark Twain one of the most idiosyncratic, influential and entertaining people to serve in Congress” Colin Woodward, The Washington Post“An enlightening and entertaining romp through a half-century of American politics and policymaking. Who better than the smartest, funniest man in Congress, as Barney was widely perceived to be, to make the case for government, for pragmatism, for the li
Skyhawk said An absolute must for those interested in American politics and government!. Anyone expecting a juicy tell-all might be disappointed, as will those seeking snarky new quips. But this book should be required reading for anyone interested in American Government or LGBT history. I was fascinated and learned a great deal about how our government actually works. It is an excellent exposition of pragmatic politics and of fighting for the good in a system dominated by self-serving politicians and those beholden to the highest campaign contributors. It is also very funny, as Frank recounts some of his now legendary counterattacks on opponents. In general, it is sweet-spirited despite Frank's rep as an old curmudgeon and ful. Ellen Seidman said If you're having fun, you're probably not being effective. This is an important book, not only because of the bio and the history of the LGBT movement, but because it's an extremely perceptive analysis of the US legislative process. Best advice for those trying to influence policy: if you're having fun, you're probably not being effective.. Five Stars Janet M. Simons Great read! Recommend it.