The Meanest Man in Congress: Jack Brooks and the Making of an American Century

Synopsis

Jack Brooks' Career In The U.s. House Of Representatives Embodied The Extraordinary Times Of The Latter Half Of The 20th Century In America, And Today Serves As An Example Of How Politics And Compromise Can Be Effective In Governing A Nation. A Child Of The Great Depression And A Young Marine In The Jungles Of The South Pacific In World War Ii, Brooks Turned First To The Law And Then Texas State Politics Before Setting Off On An Idealistic Run For Congress. During The Next 42 Years Brooks Became One Of The Longest-serving Members Of The House And A Master Of Moving Legislation Into Law. A Far Different Atmosphere Exists In Washington Today, A Zero-sum Game Where One Party Must Lose In Order For The Other To Win. But In Brooks' Day, Compromise Was The Governing Ethos, Republicans And Democrats Ate And Drank With Each Other, Families Shared Celebrations And Children Attended The Same Schools. Partisanship Was Ever-present And Hard Fought But It Didn't Prevent Legislation From Moving Forward. Brooks Was Fiscally Conservative And A Lifelong Member Of The Nra, And He Was Also A Liberal Advocate For The Poor And Those Seeking Justice From The Government-- Dallas 1963 -- The Early Years -- War! -- Legislature And Lamar -- First Race For Congress -- First Term -- The Late 1950s -- Rising Texas Tide -- Legislation : 1961-1965 -- Power In The Presidency -- Legislation : 1965-1968 -- All The Way With Lbj -- Legislation : 1969-1972 -- Congressional Operations -- Waste -- Procurement -- Family Life -- The Executioner -- Snake Killer -- Iran-contra -- Reaganomics And Runaway Spending -- Mindless Cannibalism -- House Judiciary -- Crime Bill -- 1994 Election. Brendan And Tim Mcnulty ; Foreword By Jim Wright. Includes Bibliographical References And Index.