Will Rogers: A Political Life

by Richard D. White Jr.

He was the top male box office attraction at the movies, one of the most widely read newspaper columnists in America, a radio commentator with an audience of more than 60 million, and a globetrotting speaker who filled lecture halls across the land. But how did humorist Will Rogers also become one of the most powerful political figures of his day? From just before World War I, through the Roaring Twenties, Prohibition, and the Great Depression, Rogers provided a refreshing yet sobering appraisal of current events and public policy. Through him, millions formed their opinion of President Wilson’s quest for a League of Nations, debated freedom of speech and religion during the Scopes Monkey Trial, questioned the success of several disarmament conferences, took pity upon the sufferers of the Great Flood of 1927, and tried to grasp the awful reality of the Great Depression. Rogers visited Washington often to attend congressional sessions and official receptions, testify at hearings, meet with cabinet officers, and speak at the exclusive Gridiron and Alfalfa Clubs. His open access to the Oval Office, the Senate cloakroom, and other inner sancta of national power was unmatched for someone not holding public office. In this groundbreaking biography Richard D. White argues that the nation’s most popular entertainer was not only an incisive political commentator but also a significant influence upon national leaders and their decisions. When Will Rogers perished in a plane crash in Alaska in 1935, Americans lost their most popular and beloved humorist, a man who put smiles on their faces, took their minds off war and depression and, for a moment, allowed them to laugh at his cracker-barrel humor and ultimately themselves. But Americans also lost their most trusted source of reason, a man who, more than any other, broke down the complex issues of the day and gave them a critically honest appraisal of American politics and world affairs.

Genres: Biography, Politics, Nonfiction

380 pages, Hardcover

First published February 10, 2011

About the author

A native of Williamsburg, Virginia, Richard D. White, Jr., is Dean of LSU's E. J. Ourso College of Business. Dr. White is a Pulitzer-nominated political biographer and author of Kingfish: The Reign of Huey P. Long; Roosevelt the Reformer: Theodore Roosevelt as Civil Service Commissioner, 1889-1895; and Will Rogers: A Political Life. Dr. White received his PhD in Public Administration from Pennsylvania State University, MBA from Purdue University, and BA in Political Science from Old Dominion College. He was a Research Fellow at Harvard University where he studied leadership and ethics and taught a public policy seminar within Harvard’s Institute of Politics. Dr. White has published dozens of scholarly articles in prominent journals, including Public Administration Review, Policy Studies Review, Journal of Public Administration Research and Theory, and Public Integrity. He was elected to Pi Sigma Alpha (Political Science), Pi Alpha Alpha (Public Administration), and Pi Gamma Mu (Social Sciences) honorary societies.

Prior to his academic career, Dr. White was a senior officer in the U.S. Coast Guard. He served over ten years at sea, including voyages to both the Antarctic and Arctic Oceans. He commanded an icebreaker, as well as a large cutter performing drug interdiction operations in South American waters. He served in the White House, the U.S. State Department, and the Central Intelligence Agency. In his final assignment in the Coast Guard, Dr. White directed the enforcement of narcotics, immigration, fisheries, and environmental laws on the Atlantic Icean. Dr. White retired from the Coast Guard in 1994 at the rank of Captain (O-6).

Reviews

[Rick Goldsmith · Rating 3 out of 5]

i knew little about will rogers. now i know a little more

[Joshua Miller · Rating 4 out of 5]

I only knew about Will Rogers because of the arena that holds his name in Fort Worth. He’s almost like a ghost having a serious impact on major events within this country yet not having the fame and notoriety of other colossal figures. He knew many of these most famous people in history such as Theodore Roosevelt, Alice Longworth, Upton Sinclair, Carl Sandburg, Amelia Earhart, Franklin D. Roosevelt, Calvin Coolidge, Benito Mussolini, Charlie Chapman, Wiley Post, Charles Lindbergh, and many others I’ve never heard of. Yet somehow his name is not as ubiquitous.

This grounded Oklahoman made a name for himself as a comedian but over time his quick jabs and comical routine gave way to steady and level-headed political insight. His political acumen and knack for understanding the average citizen made him one of the most read and influential columnists of his age. Presidents and congressmen knew the influence Rogers had on the people of America and were quick to ally themselves to this man to further their goals and to measure public sentiment. His voice filled many living rooms preceding FDR and his fireside chats. He steered the public’s attention to what the president was about to say and it’s argued that only FDR did more to promote the New Deal.

Rogers, despite numerous crashes, crash landings, and serious injuries, had an unbridled enthusiasm for aviation. Added to his love affair with travel this provided him with means to visit the world and experience new cultures and tumultuous events. During the beginning of the 1930’s, he visited Manchuria (China) during the outbreak of the Sino-Japanese war and was able to report back to the U.S. government what was actually happening. With his ability to read people and dive into the heart of their intent, he was instrumental in shaping U.S. foreign policy.

Despite surviving numerous airplane crashes, he eventually ran out of lives and died at the beginning of his fourth world tour flying out over vast green Alaska. I wonder what he would have thought about WWII if he had been alive to witness the events. He was very perceptive and predicted a few things that happened that led to the Second World War. He went against the grain of popular perception when he visited Japan and acknowledged the efficiency and will of their soldiers. During that time period, Japanese were not considered bright or anything to be seriously considered, but Rogers grasped the tenacity and fortitude of their people. He also recognized that China would one day be a formidable nation to contend with the strongest on this planet (cue Twilight Zone music). I wonder what he would see today. What would Rogers think of the Chinese take over of Hong Kong just a few days ago? What would he think about the Watergate scandal? What would have been his take on the Korean and Vietnam War? These questions are unfair as history had other plans, but one can’t help to wonder about it.

I was fortunate enough to have my future mother-in-law recommend this book and expressed how interesting it was. Reading about the people and events that shape our world is addicting, terrifying, and inspiring all at the same time. If you want to learn about the political scene from one man’s point of view before WWII, I would definitely recommend this book.

[Valerie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good book about an amazing person and his times. It does get bogged down in dates and details but he was truly the person who set the tone for our current political satirists and late night tv hosts. He would have loved SNL. It was also refreshing to realize that the current political times are not new --- the 1920's and 30's were very similar. Gave me hope that we will survive our current situation.

[Paul · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.25 stars. As advertised, this is a straightforward look at the political aspects of Rogers’ amazing career and life. I would have liked a more well-rounded biography, but that wasn’t the point of this book.

[Joy H.]

_Will Rogers: A Political Life_ (2011) by Jr. Richard D. White

This book was featured in a NY Times review. See the review at:
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/27/boo...
"A biography of Will Rogers reminds us that the happy-go-lucky comedian was also a powerful political insider." (Quoted from the NY Times email notification.)

From the NY Times review linked above: "... a biography of a famously funny man should be funny. But White seems so intent on getting us to take Rogers seriously that he plays down the humor."

[Jamison · Rating 3 out of 5]

this looks a little daunting. it seems like it focuses more on rogers, and what he thought of the politicians of his day. certainly, it will be more educational than the rest of the bios, most of which focus on his celebrity self, or his tragic death.

let's see . . .

a good book, definitely focusing on the political side. will rogers comes across as amiable, always curious life learner, who wanted to see as much as he could of the world. he is much missed.

[Talmadge Walker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Didn't seem to read as well as White's book on Huey Long, but definitely worth reading.