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Rating: 
Summary: Mr. Sam
Review: I must start off by saying that the book was great. It was filled with the kind of insider stories that make political biographies great. The writing, at times, was so good that the reader felt what Rayburn was feeling, whether it was frustration during the Republican years, sadness over his failed marriage, or relief when a bill was passed. It was definitely a page-turner, and, despite its length, it read relatively quickly. The best parts are the parts that deal with Rayburn's relationships with other politicians, most notably Jack Garner, Harry Truman, and Lyndon Johnson.
That being said, the book had some weak parts. It was occasionally evident that there were two different authors. One author, Hardeman, looked at things from the Texan point of view, while the other, Bacon, looked at them from the national view. This sometimes made the book seem choppy, and when the writing was bad, it seemed really bad.
There is somewhat of a bias, as Hardeman knew and worked for Rayburn, but both he and Bacon are honest about their feelings from the beginning, so it is no surprise. Ironically, this personal touch adds more to the book. They do not, despite their bias, shy away from Rayburn's 'warts.' It adds to the story when they are forced to divulge something negative about Rayburn, such as his opposition to Civil Rights. I think of it as a friend telling a story about another friend, and occasionally adding, "now he is not perfect, mind you." It definitely contributes to the story.
I would recommend this book to anyone with an interest in history or politics. It is well worth the read and could be enjoyed by anyone who has a basic understanding of American government and politics. I would particularly recommend it to politicians. I would seriously consider sending this book to members of both houses of Congress to show how Rayburn dealt with those in his party and those who weren't with equal courtesy.
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