Raising Hell for Justice: The Washington Battles of a Heartland Progressive

by David R. Obey

David Obey has in his nearly forty years in the U.S. House of Representatives worked to bring economic and social justice to America’s working families. In 2007 he assumed the chair of the Appropriations Committee and is positioned to pursue his priority concerns for affordable health care, education, environmental protection, and a foreign policy consistent with American democratic ideals.
     Here, in his autobiography, Obey looks back on his journey in politics beginning with his early years in the Wisconsin Legislature, when Wisconsin moved through eras of shifting balance between Republicans and Democrats. On a national level Obey traces, as few others have done, the dramatic changes in the workings of the U.S. Congress since his first election to the House in 1969. He discusses his own central role in the evolution of Congress and ethics reforms and his view of the recent Bush presidency—crucial chapters in our democracy, of interest to all who observe politics and modern U.S. history.

 

Best Books for Regional General Audiences, selected by the American Association of School Librarians, and Best Books for General Audiences, selected by the Public Library Association

Genres: Politics

448 pages, Hardcover

First published August 15, 2007

Reviews

[Pamela · Rating 5 out of 5]

I treasure this book! I've always been an admirer of Dave Obey, since his first days in Wisconsin politics. The first 100 pages or so focus on Wisconsin, and with all those familiar names and places mentioned, it felt more like we were having a chat about old times rather than just reading about it. He is a progressive liberal, and proud to carry that banner. What a delightful read!

[Ruth Pabich · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good man, who's worked in Washington for 40 years as a Wisconsin congressman, shares how things get done there, some great stories about people he's worked with, people whom we all know, and he shares insight into how the country is run. An excellent read.

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Inspiring book from an admirable leader! It reassured me that there are people with principles leading our country, even if they are a rare breed!

[Mindy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not really a page turner but for a political nerd, it's an enjoyable book. And it makes me really sad that he won't be representing the northwoods anymore. Yay for Dave Obey!

[Andrew Figueiredo · Rating 5 out of 5]

As one would expect from a Congressman who served so long, this memoir is a treasure trove of information about how Congress works, great anecdotes, and witty commentary from Congressman Obey himself. He's a strong critic of Reagan and Bush II (and provides more incisive criticism than most do) but shows a lot of respect for the Republican colleagues he often worked with. Obey always stood up for his values, using his leadership positions to push Republicans AND Democrats alike towards more progressive positions. This is definitely a book worth reading for any political nerd, especially those who lean left.

[Tyler Ruprecht · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this book from former Congressman Obey after helping to organize the Obey Center at the WI Institute for Public Policy and Service while in college. I didn't get a chance to read it until a few years later. It gives a good overview of former Congressman Obey and offers a rare glimpse at the political thought in the Bush opposition during that period.

[Judie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book because it was highly recommended to me by someone whose opinion I value. During the first hundred pages, I was ready to quit frequently but plowed on hoping to find some value in it. I'm glad I did because there is a lot of important information about how our government in DC really works.

The part of the book is about his childhood, college education, and time serving in the Wisconsin Legislature. It could have been cut by at least half. The book became interesting when he discussed his years in the House of Representatives in DC. He provides a lot of information about how the system works (or doesn't work) and includes some very pithy and sometimes funny quotes). As Chairman of the Appropriations Committee, he was in a position to observe a lot of the backroom dealings and explains them thoroughly and concisely. He pulls no punches when he describes what it was like working with the various administrations and different Congresses. He discusses the steps taken to change Congress from the old boys club it was when he got there in 1969 to what it was when the book was published in 2007 with a lot of emphasis on the economic, social, and military issues they faced. He has an excellent wrap-up chapter at the end of the book in which he ranks the Presidents with whom he served.

I think I would have earned at least four stars had Congressman Obey utilized the services of a better editor. I kept wondering if he kept extensive journals, had total recall, or faked some of the information. Who cares what restaurant he met at in Wisconsin more than forty years ago and what it's current name is or that the building next to where his office was located is now a flower shop owned by his niece. The names of the first records he bought would have been interesting if they had any bearing on his career.

He does far too much name dropping. Identifying everyone who was at a meeting or on a trip without providing information about what they contributed just filled space. If he thought the information was important, he should have used footnotes at the end of the book.

[Tim Lundquist · Rating 3 out of 5]

Illuminating for what Obey discusses, and does not discuss. A little surprising for a Congressional memoir, but Obey seems to honesty believe that politics is easy: one side is virtuous, the other, morally corrupt. There are no tragic choices--the answer is easy, all we need to do is overcome special interests (the other side) and heartless opponents. And then a MoC can retire and become a lobbyist.

[Rob Mentzer]

For work.