Sam Rayburn: A Bio-Bibliography

(Hardback)

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Description

One of the nation's most effective congressional leaders, Sam Rayburn served as Speaker of the House longer than anyone in U.S. history. Although he has been the subject of several biographies and numerous articles, until now no comprehensive analysis of Rayburn has integrated these disparate materials in a single resource. Sam Rayburn: A Bio-Bibliography accomplishes that objective. Designed for scholars interested in the life and historical period of Sam Rayburn, the volume includes a detailed biographical sketch and an extensive annotated bibliography describing the Rayburn resource materials. The bibliographic entries are divided into three parts: works about Rayburn, Rayburn as author, and archival sources. Because Rayburn wrote little, the inclusion of some 80 oral histories by friends and associates of Rayburn is an especially valuable feature for the researcher. Those papers by Rayburn that do exist are included and fully annotated here. The section covering works about Rayburn includes media coverage of the Congressman, interviews with Rayburn's colleagues, and memoirs as well as books and articles about Rayburn. A chronology is included for quick reference to major events in Rayburn's life and a complete index facilitates easy access to the main entries.

Reviews

Sam Rayburn, the very powerful Speaker of the US House of Representatives for 17 years between 1940 and his death in 1961, is the subject of the latest contribution in this series. Following a 66-page biographical sketch, the second part of this work is a fully annotated bibliography of 166 citations subdivided into four listings: general works about Sam Rayburn and his times (103 citations); the New Deal and the Fair Deal (31); the Congressional District (21); the Eisenhower and Kennedy years (31). The third major section of this work consists of a slender annotated bibliography of 32 citations relating to the writings of Sam Rayburn. Unlike many political figures, Rayburn did not create a substantial paper record of his career. The preface states: "Only a brief section is devoted to Rayburn's writings because he did much of his work either on the telephone or in person. He did not write memoranda of conversations or agreements. The result is that many of his thoughts went unrecorded." Section 4, archival sources, thus becomes particularly important given the nature of Rayburn's work habits. Here, 13 archival collections are cited as sources of additional Rayburn material. Champagne's bio-bibliography provides valuable direction to the scholarly pursuit of this important 20th-century American political figure. Appropriate for college, university, and larger public libraries.-Choice
Texan Sam Rayburn was an institution in American politics. He served in the House of Representatives for 50 years and was Speaker on three separate occasions. He was friend and mentor to many of America's most influential politicians. Champagne's extensive, annotated bibliography and short biographical essay are an excellent beginning for anyone seriously interested in learning more about a truly remarkable man.-Books of the Southwest
"Texan Sam Rayburn was an institution in American politics. He served in the House of Representatives for 50 years and was Speaker on three separate occasions. He was friend and mentor to many of America's most influential politicians. Champagne's extensive, annotated bibliography and short biographical essay are an excellent beginning for anyone seriously interested in learning more about a truly remarkable man."-Books of the Southwest
"Sam Rayburn, the very powerful Speaker of the US House of Representatives for 17 years between 1940 and his death in 1961, is the subject of the latest contribution in this series. Following a 66-page biographical sketch, the second part of this work is a fully annotated bibliography of 166 citations subdivided into four listings: general works about Sam Rayburn and his times (103 citations); the New Deal and the Fair Deal (31); the Congressional District (21); the Eisenhower and Kennedy years (31). The third major section of this work consists of a slender annotated bibliography of 32 citations relating to the writings of Sam Rayburn. Unlike many political figures, Rayburn did not create a substantial paper record of his career. The preface states: "Only a brief section is devoted to Rayburn's writings because he did much of his work either on the telephone or in person. He did not write memoranda of conversations or agreements. The result is that many of his thoughts went unrecorded." Section 4, archival sources, thus becomes particularly important given the nature of Rayburn's work habits. Here, 13 archival collections are cited as sources of additional Rayburn material. Champagne's bio-bibliography provides valuable direction to the scholarly pursuit of this important 20th-century American political figure. Appropriate for college, university, and larger public libraries."-Choice

Author Bio

ANTHONY CHAMPAGNE is Professor in the School of Social Sciences at The University of Texas at Dallas. He has published several articles on Sam Rayburn, done over eighty oral histories on Sam Rayburn for the Sam Rayburn Library, and is the author of Congressman Sam Rayburn (1984).