Paul Simon: The Political Journey of an Illinois Original
- ISBN-10
- 1441645039
- ISBN-13
- 9781441645036
- Series
- Paul Simon
- Category
- Biography & Autobiography
- Pages
- 265
- Language
- English
- Published
- 2009
- Author
- Robert E. Hartley
Description
With "Paul Simon: The Political Journey of an Illinois Original," author Robert E. Hartley presents the first thorough, objective volume on the journalistic and political career of one of Illinois's most respected public figures. Hartley's detailed account offers a fully rounded portrait of a man whose ideals and tenacity not only spurred reform on both state and national levels during his celebrated forty-year career but also established the lasting legacy of a political legend. Simon first became a public figure at the age of nineteen, when he assumed the post of editor and publisher of a weekly newspaper in Troy, Illinois. From there, he used his paper to launch a fierce crusade against the crime and corruption plaguing Madison County. This battle sparked his entry into politics, helping to land him a seat in the state legislature in 1954. While serving, he campaigned tirelessly according to his principles, earning him the mass voter approval that would usher him into the seat of lieutenant governor in 1968--the first person elected to that position who did not share party affiliation with the governor.As lieutenant governor, Simon initiated many changes to the position, remaking it to better serve the citizens of the state of Illinois. The cornerstone of his reform plan was an ombudsman program designed to allow the people of the state to voice problems they had with government and state agencies. The program, extremely popular with the public and the press, solved problems and helped to make Simon a household name throughout Illinois. Although he faced challenges along the way, including racial upheaval in Cairo and the student and police riots on the Carbondale campus of Southern Illinois University, Simon's outspoken honesty and strong support of his constituents earned him the utmost esteem and popularity. While his 1972 bid for governor of Illinois ultimately failed, this did not deter Simon from his dedication to social progress. In 1974 he began his remarkable twenty-two-year career in the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate, where he earned the admiration of the country for his political integrity. Despite the praise and support Simon had earned during his time in Washington, he was unable to win the Democratic presidential nomination in 1988 and returned to the Senate, winning a second term in 1990. Simon committed time and energy to the myriad issues of interest to him, especially in the field of education, with one of his biggest successes coming with the passage of the National Literacy Act, which he sponsored. He continued to foster his ties to journalism throughout his lengthy political career, authoring numerous books, articles, and columns, all of which he used to relentlessly promote open government and social programs. This vivid account of the public life of Paul Simon reveals a man whose personal honor and dedication were unshakeable throughout nearly half a century in the political arena. Robert E. Hartley provides a candid perspective on Simon's accomplishments and victories, as well as his mistakes and losses, revealing new insights into the life of this dynamic and widely respected public figure.
Get the book
Other editions
Similar books
-
Paul Simon: The Life
By Robert HilburnAcclaimed music writer Robert Hilburn’s “epic” and “definitive” (Rolling Stone) biography of music icon Paul Simon, written with Simon’s full participation—but without his editorial control—that “reminds us how titanic ...
-
Homeward Bound: The Life of Paul Simon
By Peter Ames CarlinA life story with the scope and power of an epic novel, Carlin’s Homeward Bound is the first major biography of one of the most influential popular artists in American history.
-
Classic Paul Simon: The Simon and Garfunkel Years
By Paul Simon(Music Sales America). All the songs from four landmark albums: Bookends , Bridge Over Troubled Water , The Sounds of Silence, and Parsley, Sage, Rosemary And Thyme .
-
Paul Simon: The Definitive Biography
By Laura JacksonTraces the more than four-decade career of the top-hit songwriter and musician, from his first chart hit with Art Garfunkel at the age of sixteen through his 2002 receipt of the Kennedy Center Honors, discussing his private life, political ...
-
Lyrics 1964-2016
By Paul SimonThis comprehensive collection from the legendary folk icon features lyrics from each of Simon's 10 original studio albums, as well as lyrics from the renowned Simon & Garfunkel records. 50 b&w photographs throughout.
-
Paul Simon: The Definitive Biography
By Laura Jackson- First time in paperback.- Paul Simon, with Simon and Garfunkel, and as a solo artist has sold 50 million records in the United States alone.- Simon and Garfunkel were the opening act for the 2003 Grammy Awards.
-
The Words and Music of Paul Simon
By James BennighofExamines the songs, albums, and compositions of one of America's most prominent singer-songwriters.
-
Paul Simon: The Political Journey of an Illinois Original
By Robert E HartleyWith Paul Simon: The Political Journey of an Illinois Original, author Robert E. Hartley presents the first thorough, objective volume on the journalistic and political career of one of Illinois’s most respected public figures.
-
Paul Simon: An American Tune
By Cornel BoncaBorder opens between East and West Germany. Eastern bloc begins to fall apart. March 1990: Public Enemy's Fear of a Black Planet released. Paul Simon's Life and Career September 1986: Graceland released. Becomes a worldwide hit and ...
-
The Essential Paul Simon: Timeless Lessons for Today's Politics
By John S JacksonMartin and Ruth Simon were Lutheran missionaries to China in the 1930s. After they returned to the United States and settled in Paul's birthplace of Eugene, Oregon, they lived for a time the prosaic lives ofa pastor's family, ...