Susan O's Reviews > Huey Long

Excellent! Huey Long was astounding. He was a huge presence not only in Louisiana, but also in the nation during early 1930s especially. He was probably the only person who could have possibly challenged FDR for the Democratic nomination in 1936. Roosevelt considered him one of the two most dangerous people in the country. Is this why I've only heard of him in passing in books on FDR?

The power that Long held over Louisiana politics, not only when he was Governor, but as a Senator was really almost hard to believe. Williams tells us early in the book that Louisiana politics is unlike any other state in the nation and goes on to show us how. Tom Connally said, "I advise anyone who things he knows something about politics to go down to Louisiana and take a postgraduate course." (p 686)

Many called Long a demagogue. Williams disagrees and says "He was different from all other Southern politicians of his time and from most contemporary politicians anywhere in the nation." He quotes historian Eric Hoffer in describing the type of leader Long is - a mass leader. To set a popular movement in motion, "He articulates and justifies the resentment damned up in the souls of the frustrated. He kindles the vision of a breathtaking future." He harnesses "man's hungers and fears to weld a following and make it zealous unto death in the service of a holy cause." (p 414)

Long was brilliant, a natural politician, but also one who did research on his issues and knew what he was talking about. He loved power, and at some point wanted it for its own sake, but he never seemed to lose sight of who he was working for. That being said, his methods were questionable to say the least.

Williams writes in a wonderful narrative style, yet still documents all his research very well. I highly recommend this if you have an interest in American politics, or the depression era in general.