cover image Legacy to Power: Senator Russell Long of Louisiana

Legacy to Power: Senator Russell Long of Louisiana

Robert Mann. Paragon House Publishers, $25.95 (458pp) ISBN 978-1-55778-467-4

Noting that this authorized biography was subject to minor editorial control by its subject, Mann, Long's former press secretary, provides a detailed though subjective chronicle of an eventful political career. Son of the flamboyant Louisiana senator ``Kingfish'' Huey Long, who was assassinated in 1935, Russell Long served as U.S. Senator from 1948 to 1987, exercising enormous power as head of the Finance Committee. A congressional wheeler dealer in the manner of Lyndon Johnson, the shrewd Long knew how to use his influence and when to compromise. Although he favored segregation and initially opposed the 1964 Civil Rights Bill, he eventually moderated his stance. The author presents Long's regressive position on tax and energy reform in a kindly light in a readable political biography that is regrettably devoid of meaningful analysis. Photos not seen by PW. (Oct.)