The Loneliness of the Black Republican: Pragmatic Politics and the Pursuit of Power

(Paperback)

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Covering more than four decades of American social and political history, The Loneliness of the Black Republican examines the ideas and actions of black Republican activists, officials, and politicians, from the era of the New Deal to Ronald Reagan's presidential ascent in 1980. Their unique stories reveal African Americans fighting for an alternat

Reviews

Winner of the 2017 Crader Family Book Prize in American Values, Crader Family Endowment at Southeast Missouri State University "[B]lack Republicans are perceived to be the token black person in a group of Republicans, and the token Republican in a group of black people. This sense of isolation has shaped the black Republican experience for decades. Their plight is chronicled exceptionally well in The Loneliness of the Black Republican by Harvard Kennedy School professor Leah Wright Rigueur. Her thorough examination traces the winding journey of black Republicans from the inception of the New Deal to the election of Ronald Reagan."--Theodore R. Johnson, The Atlantic "The Loneliness of the Black Republican is meticulous, well-crafted, and consistently astute about the fractious recent history of the Grand Old Party."--Artur Davis, Weekly Standard "Leah Wright Rigueur's book, The Loneliness of the Black Republican, provides an intellectual and thought-provoking voice to this intriguing debate... [H]er well-researched work is evenhanded--and, at times, sympathetic. In many ways, it's the most significant book ever written about the collapse of black support in the Republican party."--Michael Taube, Washington Times "This book adds much needed depth to the understanding of the diversity of black politics during these years (1930s to 1980)."--Choice "Meticulously researched ... Rigueur ... gives us one of the first attempts at understanding who black Republicans were, the values they held, and how they engaged in party politics."--James Wolfinger, Journal of American History "Rigueur provides a powerful addition to wider scholarship on black political behavior."--Corey D. Fields, Political Science Quarterly "There is much to be admired in Leah Wright Rigueur's groundbreaking work and her bravery in tackling a topic that has been dismissed as insignificant by historians for decades."--Joshua Farrington, H-Net Reviews

Author Bio

Leah Wright Rigueur is assistant professor of public policy at the Harvard Kennedy School of Government.