Synopses & Reviews
Robert "Fighting Bob" La Follette (1855-1925) was one of the most significant leaders of American progressivism. Nancy Unger integrates previously unknown details from La Follette's personal life with important events from his storied political career, revealing a complex man who was a compelling mixture of failure and accomplishment, tragedy and triumph.
Serving as U.S. representative from 1885 to 1891, governor of Wisconsin from 1901 to 1906, and senator from Wisconsin from 1906 to his death in 1925, La Follette earned the nickname "Fighting Bob" through his uncompromising efforts to reform both politics and society, especially by championing the rights of the poor, workers, women, and minorities.
Based on La Follette family letters, diaries, and other papers, this biography covers the personal events that shaped the public man. In particular, Unger explores La Follette's relationship with his remarkable wife, feminist Belle Case La Follette, and with his sons, both of whom succeeded him in politics. The La Follette who emerges from this retelling is an imperfect yet appealing man who deserves to be remembered as one of the United States' most devoted and effective politicians.
Review
Unger's voice remains subdued and objective throughout the book, but La Follette manages to leap from its pages.
New York Times Book Review
Review
Unger's critical biography hints that today's America desperately needs democratic, grass roots-oriented politicians of high caliber like La Follette. (Library Journal)
Review
An interesting and notably personal account of the life and times of Wisconsin's famed Progressive reformer.
Choice
Review
Unger's voice remains subdued and objective throughout the book, but La Follette manages to leap from its pages. (New York Times Book Review)
Review
Unger's narrative is riveting. . . . [A] passionate, engaging and scholarly study.
Publishers Weekly
Review
"Unger's narrative is riveting. . . . [A] passionate, engaging and scholarly study.
Publishers Weekly"
Review
Unger's biography gives us a survey of the public life and private struggles of this flawed giant.
American Historical Review
Synopsis
Unger is a good storyteller, and her lively writing and strong sense of narrative move the book along at a brisk, enjoyable pace.
Wisconsin Magazine of History Unger's biography gives us a survey of the public life and private struggles of this flawed giant.
American Historical Review An interesting and notably personal account of the life and times of Wisconsin's famed Progressive reformer.
Choice Unger's voice remains subdued and objective throughout the book, but La Follette manages to leap from its pages.
New York Times Book Review Unger's narrative is riveting. . . . [A] passionate, engaging and scholarly study.
Publishers Weekly
Synopsis
Robert "Fighting Bob" La Follette (1855-1925), the Wisconsin governor and U.S. senator, was one of the most significant leaders of American progressivism. Nancy Unger integrates new details from La Follette's personal life with important events from his storied political career, revealing a complex man who was a compelling mixture of failure and accomplishment, tragedy and triumph.