Huey Long's Louisiana Hayride: The American Rehearsal for Dictatorship 1928-1940

by Harnett T. Kane, Sam H. Jones (Foreword)

narrative . . . written with a proper appreciation of the grotesque humor of many of its episodes . . . but also with the proper appreciation of the political significance . . . for the rest of the United States. New York Times Book Review This book deserves to be widely read. Library Journal Nothing like the regime of Huey Long has ever been enacted on American soil before. Only a patriot of the staunchest character could stand up to the power of Huey and the threats and reprisals which he used so freely. Those who were willing to do so paralleled the acts of America's bravest patriots at any stage of American history. Nearly all the books on this subject end with the death of Huey Long. Louisiana Hayride continues through the years of scandals which ended in my election in 1940. Huey's prediction that his successors would never be able to wield his great power without going to jail was born out by events described in this book. This is the story of the sowing of the wind, but the major part of the book is devoted to the reaping of the whirlwind. In this telling, Louisiana Hayride is unsurpassed. It is a story for all Americans. From the forward by Sam Houston Jones Governor, 1940-1944

Genres: History, Nonfiction, American History

488 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1941

About the author

Harnett Thomas Kane was a journalist and author of books about the American South. A 1931 graduate of Tulane University, he was a longtime reporters for the New Orleans Item, and he wrote travel articles and book reviews for a variety of publications.

Reviews

[Sean Chick · Rating 4 out of 5]

One needs to be careful with this book. It has no footnotes and a foreward by Sam H. Jones, a major opponent of the men chronicled here who emerges in the last pages of the book in a very favorable light. In addition, Huey P. Long is still a hotly debated man. One reason is the issues of class and corruption are still very much with us (do they ever go away?). Authors tend to choose a side with pro or anti Long and stick with it. If one keeps that in mind, Louisiana Hayride is a book worth reading.

Kane is an arresting writer and shrewd as well. The book is anti-Long for sure but Kane understands Long's appeal. He draws sharp portraits of the men around Long and explains, if not in detail than at least in a flourish, how Long and his successors wielded power. Yet, there are holes. If this was "dictatorship" why did it end so soon? Was it only because the federal government chose to end it or was it the death of Huey P. Long? It was all told a rather weak "dictatorship." Speaking of which, why the comparisons to Hitler and Mussolini? Long was a man of the left, although I grant like Hitler (and unlike Lenin) he seized power democratically. Worst of all, the book meanders after Long dies around page 150 out 450 pages (roughly). Kane is more interested in the blow by blow of how Leche and the rest held power and then lost it, but here he needed an editor. Although he is right to discuss the years of after Long's death, which are often ignored or barely commented upon.

This book also shows why Donald Trump failed. Long understood right away that to hold power he needed his people in every position of power and to be loyal to them. He was a ruthless political fighter without equal. Trump by contrast was lazy and overly trusting while just as willing to throw allies under the bus. Such a man cannot remake a government, but who is to say another Long is not in the waiting?

[MTS · Rating 3 out of 5]

A sprawling, rambling account of the corruption of governmental corruption under Huey Long & continuing after his assassination. Reading the book was tedious & a grind. To me the Interesting theme in the book was similarities between Long & Trump & their corruption.

[Toni Aucoin · Rating 5 out of 5]

It saddens me to read about how corrupt Louisiana has always been as well as how trashy New Orleans has always been.

[Ginger · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great read, with a good insight into the politics of the period in that region of the country. I enjoy most anything by this author.

[BMR, LCSW · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting look at the consequences of the Huey Long years in LA. Only those truly interested in political/Louisiana history will like this book.