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Earl K. Long : The Saga of Uncle Earl and Louisiana Politics
ISBN: 9780807154083
Platform/Publisher: Ebook Central / LSU Press
Digital rights: Users: Unlimited; Printing: Limited; Download: 7 Days at a Time
Subjects: History;

Earl was a key figure in his brother ``Kingfish'' Huey Long's rise to power and, after Huey's assassination, launched a notable career of his own, serving as lieutenant governor and three times as governor of Louisiana; he was elected to Congress shortly before his death in 1960. A populist, he instituted hot lunches for schoolchildren and old-age pensions and won generous raises for teachers in his state; he also registered thousands of black voters at a time of Dixiecrat racist agitation. But as Kurtz, history professor at Southeastern Louisiana University, and Peoples, former history professor at Louisiana Tech, show in this balanced and highly readable biography, he continued the spoils system and maintained strong ties to organized crime. The authors conclude, nevertheless, that the charismatic Long was remarkably effective for his time and place. Photos not seen by PW. (Mar.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved

Michel L. Kurtz is professor of history at Southeastern Louisiana University. His previous books include Crime of the Century: The Kennedy Assassination from a Historian's Perspective. Morgan D. Peoples is retired professor of history at Louisiana Tech University.

Michel L. Kurtz is professor of history at Southeastern Louisiana University. His previous books include Crime of the Century: The Kennedy Assassination from a Historian's Perspective.
Morgan D. Peoples is retired professor of history at Louisiana Tech University.