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Self-Destruction: The rise, fall, and redemption of U.S. Senator Daniel B. Brewster
Hollywood-handsome Daniel B. Brewster had it inherited wealth, stellar education, combat Marine, prestigious horse farm, gorgeous and talented wife, and two young sons -- even a seat in the United States Senate. He was called "the Golden Boy of Maryland Politics." In 1964, as a stand-in for Lyndon Johnson in Maryland's Democratic Presidential Primary, Brewster defeated the segregationist George C. Wallace, a victory that was credited with clearing the way for congressional passage of the landmark Civil Rights Act of 1964.
But then, debilitated by alcoholism, Brewster self-destructed. He lost it all -- a breathtaking descent into divorce, electoral defeat, a bribery scandal, financial collapse, and personal shame.
As a 20-year-old Marine lieutenant on Okinawa, Brewster fought in some the most savage combat of World War II. During the three-month siege, he was wounded seven times, including by one bullet that tore through his helmet. He was later decorated for valor. He returned from war bursting with ambition. He earned his law degree and quickly rose in state legislature, Congress, and the Senate. He won his first 12 elections, almost always as the leading vote-getter. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Majority Leader Steny Hoyer both got their start in Brewster's Senate office. He became friends with Presidents Kennedy and Johnson.
But Brewster's long marriage to Carol de Havenon collapsed after he reunited with Anne Bullitt, the ambassador's daughter who had jilted him 24 years before. Not long after their marriage, however, Brewster's drinking and other political missteps led to his 1968 election loss to Republican Charles McC. Mathias, Jr., a lifelong friend. After fleeing to Ireland, Brewster was hospitalized for alcoholism, only to learn that a once loyal aide had accused him of accepting bribes. It was rock bottom.
But Dan Brewster had a third act. He survived his six-year legal ordeal, quit drinking, and married Judy Aarsand, whom he had met in rehab. He became a doting father to their three children. Gradually, he reclaimed his dignity, helped other recovering alcoholics, joined hospital boards, and quietly found equilibrium and happiness in a life filled with enormous highs and lows.
But then, debilitated by alcoholism, Brewster self-destructed. He lost it all -- a breathtaking descent into divorce, electoral defeat, a bribery scandal, financial collapse, and personal shame.
As a 20-year-old Marine lieutenant on Okinawa, Brewster fought in some the most savage combat of World War II. During the three-month siege, he was wounded seven times, including by one bullet that tore through his helmet. He was later decorated for valor. He returned from war bursting with ambition. He earned his law degree and quickly rose in state legislature, Congress, and the Senate. He won his first 12 elections, almost always as the leading vote-getter. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Majority Leader Steny Hoyer both got their start in Brewster's Senate office. He became friends with Presidents Kennedy and Johnson.
But Brewster's long marriage to Carol de Havenon collapsed after he reunited with Anne Bullitt, the ambassador's daughter who had jilted him 24 years before. Not long after their marriage, however, Brewster's drinking and other political missteps led to his 1968 election loss to Republican Charles McC. Mathias, Jr., a lifelong friend. After fleeing to Ireland, Brewster was hospitalized for alcoholism, only to learn that a once loyal aide had accused him of accepting bribes. It was rock bottom.
But Dan Brewster had a third act. He survived his six-year legal ordeal, quit drinking, and married Judy Aarsand, whom he had met in rehab. He became a doting father to their three children. Gradually, he reclaimed his dignity, helped other recovering alcoholics, joined hospital boards, and quietly found equilibrium and happiness in a life filled with enormous highs and lows.
374 pages, Hardcover
Published April 1, 2023
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
August 20, 2023
Just finished reading this amazing biography of Senator Daniel Brewster, and I could not put it down! His story has all the elements of a Hollywood movie! A young, affluent 20-year-old who volunteered to serve in the Marines in World War II, and fought valiantly in Okinawa, one of the most brutal battles of WWII. He was wounded seven times, but continued to fight, one bullet went right through his helmet!
He returned and entered politics and rose quickly to U.S. Senator and helped President Johnson as a stand in candidate in Maryland, which helped with the historic passage of the Civil Rights Act. But the horrors of battle and a family history of alcoholism, led Senator Brewster to drink too much. Then, a trusted aide accused Senator Brewster of taking a bribe which caused years of legal trouble and his colleagues in both parties knew Brewster had too much integrity to do what he was accused of in court. Colleagues like House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Rep. Steny Hoyer and Rep. Charles Mathias all speak to Senator Brewster’s integrity.
Then, there were the three marriages and five children. The first marriage, he was an absent father between campaigning, politics and drinking, he was never home for his first two sons. This is also partly Gerry’s story. Gerry was the younger son from Senator Brewster’s first marriage. Gerry grew up with alcoholic parents, yet, he still wants to have his father’s story told because all of his accomplishments were lost when the bribery scandal emerged.
Senator Brewster finally sought help and recovered, remarried to a lady he met in rehab and had three more children, who he was there for growing up. He finally found peace and contentment and enjoyed life on his horse farm.
This biography has it all; war stories, politics, love stories, and family drama all written very well by former Baltimore Sun writer, John Frece, with much help from Gerry Brewster. The title has “Self-Destruction” in bold, and that is a big part of this biography, but it is also a beautiful story of redemption, one for Senator Brewster, who finally found peace away from the spotlight of politics, and one for his younger son, Gerry, who has made it is life’s work to redeem his father’s name.
He returned and entered politics and rose quickly to U.S. Senator and helped President Johnson as a stand in candidate in Maryland, which helped with the historic passage of the Civil Rights Act. But the horrors of battle and a family history of alcoholism, led Senator Brewster to drink too much. Then, a trusted aide accused Senator Brewster of taking a bribe which caused years of legal trouble and his colleagues in both parties knew Brewster had too much integrity to do what he was accused of in court. Colleagues like House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Rep. Steny Hoyer and Rep. Charles Mathias all speak to Senator Brewster’s integrity.
Then, there were the three marriages and five children. The first marriage, he was an absent father between campaigning, politics and drinking, he was never home for his first two sons. This is also partly Gerry’s story. Gerry was the younger son from Senator Brewster’s first marriage. Gerry grew up with alcoholic parents, yet, he still wants to have his father’s story told because all of his accomplishments were lost when the bribery scandal emerged.
Senator Brewster finally sought help and recovered, remarried to a lady he met in rehab and had three more children, who he was there for growing up. He finally found peace and contentment and enjoyed life on his horse farm.
This biography has it all; war stories, politics, love stories, and family drama all written very well by former Baltimore Sun writer, John Frece, with much help from Gerry Brewster. The title has “Self-Destruction” in bold, and that is a big part of this biography, but it is also a beautiful story of redemption, one for Senator Brewster, who finally found peace away from the spotlight of politics, and one for his younger son, Gerry, who has made it is life’s work to redeem his father’s name.
September 6, 2023
I have to say, “Self-Destruction” is the best book I’ve read in a long time. This is a truly gripping tale of once prominent politician, Danny Brewster and his struggles, downfall, and ultimately his redemption.
John Frece has knocked this one out of the park—it is well researched and extremely well written. I could not put it down from start to finish.
5 stars—fantastic read!
John Frece has knocked this one out of the park—it is well researched and extremely well written. I could not put it down from start to finish.
5 stars—fantastic read!
June 8, 2025
Senator Brewster and Maryland politics
Mr. Frece presents a well written well researched story of a flawed man and courageous politician who was a target of Nixon’s DOJ.
Mr. Frece presents a well written well researched story of a flawed man and courageous politician who was a target of Nixon’s DOJ.
December 30, 2024
I was surprised that I could not put this book down. I learned things I didn’t know about our local and national history. What more could you ask for as it has drama, war, love, politics, horses, etc. Loved learning about the farms I used to drive by as a kid.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews