Bad Boy: The Life and Politics of Lee Atwater

Rating:
Summary: Must read for pols !
Review: Lee Atwater knew politics and how to work it. This book gives a compelling look at the transformation of a good ol' boy into the man responsible for the election of the most powerful man in the world. Mr. Brady does a fine job of showing all sides of Lee. From the insecurities that drove his attitude through the frailities of a man on his death bed,this book does justice to the real man. Lee Atwater set the trend for the future of politics. This book is a must read for anyone in the business of getting people elected.

Rating:
Summary: A political manual for partisan attack dogs everywhere
Review: Lee Atwater was the founding father of today's political professional. Brady's book reveals all sides of Atwater's personality -- from the man who intimidated many to the fun-loving blues player. A very interesting story and a must-read for anyone in the business of getting people elected.

Rating:
Summary: As Entertaining As He Was
Review: Like Lee Atwater himself, this biography is entertaining, and quick-and-dirty. Also like Atwater, it is essentially skin deep, offering little assessment on how a figure like Atwater could arise and become so powerful within the Republican Party so fast. There's also not much about Atwater's innovation -- "oppo" research-based politics that turned the nascent 24-hour news cycle to the advantage of the savvier campaign. Atwater invented the style of "war room" campaigning that was enhanced by another southerner, James Carville, four years later.
Still, the book is well-crafted and does an excellent job of chronicling Atwater's life. It is especially admirable for revealing the truth about Atwater's alleged deathbed renunciation of hardball politics -- which never really happened. The real story is far more interesting.