Wallace: The Classic Portrait of Alabama Governor George Wallace Paperback – June 3, 1996

Not what I expected, but very good. I thought this would be a full biography of George Wallace. However, this book provides relatively brief biographical details but focuses on Wallace the man/politician/campaigner. And because he was the consummate Southern politician of the era (for better or worse), it's a fascinating read.

Frady's examination of Governor Wallace and his sad, incredible life is outstanding. Although southerners may wince at the reflection they see here, all Americans share credit or blame for the proliferation of a man like George C. Wallace. That Frady is able to bring us fully around to the "new Wallace" that was emerging just prior to his death is important, and gives this book credibility and most of all, fairness. My hope is that the Governor himself, if he read this book, would have come out to the conclusion that it was not a total distortion, and ultimately let us see the humanness in Wallace that he so systematically seemed to want to deny others. Clearly one of the very best political biographies I have ever read - insightful, engaging and emotional. Just when I felt my sadness (and even sympathy rising for the Governor), Frady reminded us of what and who we were really dealing with. In the end, count me among those who wanted to understand George Wallace more than the chariacature that emerged over the decades. I also wanted to see all of his sin and mistakes laid bare, and have a chance to symbolically hold his weak hand and say, "We understand George. It's going to be alright now." May he rest in peace - where I believe God has surely led him at last.

While Frady does have a terrific Faulknerian writing style the biography and depiction of Wallace is no longer historically relevant. The majority of it was written in 1968, and the lack of historical perspective really shows through. Wallace would wind up being governor three more times, and Frady's novel only pays lip service to those last three terms. If you want a better biography I recommend looking at Stephen Lesher's  George Wallace: American Populist  or Dan Carter's  The Politics of Rage: George Wallace, the Origins of the New Conservatism, and the Transformation of American Politics . If you want to learn more about Wallace's role in the Civil Rights Movement I would suggest Wayne Greenhaw's  Fighting the Devil in Dixie: How Civil Rights Activists Took on the Ku Klux Klan in Alabama . Greenhaw was a reporter, Like Frady, but because he worked in Montgomery covering the Civil Rights movement from before Wallace was Governor until after his last term it gives him a much better context to interpret it.

This is one of the best written books I have ever read. Marshall Frady wrote using a better version of William Faulkner's "stream of consciousness" method than Faulkner himself!! But Marshall applied it to non-fiction writing. This is an incredibly up-close portrait of George Wallace, in my opinion the quintessential, greatest American politician that ever lived (whether you liked him or hated him, he was a Politician's Politician!). I found out about this book from reading a Jack W. Germond book which referenced Frady's work on Wallace. If you liked "The Death of A President" by William Manchester, which was a very detailed version of the Kennedy Assassination, then you will love Frady's style!! A must for political junkies like me (it's a hobby!).

Frady does a great job describing the complexities of George Wallace. He was a very complex man caught up in the racial hatred of the 60s. I remember the fascination my mother and father had for him in Louisiana. Their world was changing and Wallace spoke a word that appealed to the fear. His demagoguery created quite a stir, and thankfully he sought forgiveness before his political life was over. Frady does a good job of working through this complexity. i wish he explore more of Wallace's poor treatment of Lurleen's health condition, but he may not have had those facts.

This book is a little masterpiece. The story just pulls you in and Frady's writing is beautifully descriptive - reminds me of Walker Percy at his best.

Delivered on time. Good product. I would recommend.

George was the greatest of great and the only person ever to help the people in Alabama while holding office.He not only helped the white race but blacks even though they will never admit this fact. Blacks just want life handed to them free and use the pass to get what they want. The tax payers pick up the tabs.If only he could have made the White House maybe things wouldn't be missed up as they are today.Read this book but, study and get to know the real Wallace. He was raised up with blacks and played with black children. He only wanted to be Governor and at the times he ran for office the Kan told George that if he didn't go along with them on race matters he wouldn't hold the Goveror's chair.