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Yellow Dogs and Republicans: Allan Shivers and Texas Two-Party Politics
From the end of Reconstruction until the 1950s, Texas was classified as part of the “Solid South,” consistently electing Democrats to national, state, and local office. After World War II, however, a new politics began to emerge throughout the South that ultimately made the region as solidly Republican as it had once been Democratic.
Allan Shivers wielded extraordinary influence in this about-face. Serving as governor from 1949 to 1957, Shivers stands as an important transitional figure who, while staying within the Democratic Party all his life, nonetheless led Texas into Eisenhower’s column and toward a new political alignment.
Author Ricky F. Dobbs traces the political career of Allan Shivers from his student days at the University of Texas, through his World War II service with the 36th Infantry and various state offices, to his role within the party after leaving the governor’s mansion. Throughout, Dobbs places Shivers’s career in the context of the modernization and urbanization that changed the state and regional picture. He portrays Shivers as one of the state’s most powerful governors and compellingly shows his influence on modern Texas.
Allan Shivers wielded extraordinary influence in this about-face. Serving as governor from 1949 to 1957, Shivers stands as an important transitional figure who, while staying within the Democratic Party all his life, nonetheless led Texas into Eisenhower’s column and toward a new political alignment.
Author Ricky F. Dobbs traces the political career of Allan Shivers from his student days at the University of Texas, through his World War II service with the 36th Infantry and various state offices, to his role within the party after leaving the governor’s mansion. Throughout, Dobbs places Shivers’s career in the context of the modernization and urbanization that changed the state and regional picture. He portrays Shivers as one of the state’s most powerful governors and compellingly shows his influence on modern Texas.
208 pages, Hardcover
First published February 2, 2005
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October 3, 2011
Essentially, I accomplished what I wanted to be reading this book -- a general understanding of the political career of Allan Shivers. And the other does so in relatively economic fashion, 150 pages.
That said, the book is perhaps too economic at times when it comes to telling the whole story. Shiver's life outside of politics is rarely mentioned in the book, particularly once the discussion of the governorship begins. Sometimes major topics seem to pop up out of nowhere without proper history and introduction. While social context is occasionally discussed, often times it is underdeveloped. Additionally, I felt like the reliance on a factually-specific record -- without additional social or historical context -- made for some relatively bland reading at times. I often felt like I was "slogging" through the book, forcing myself to turn the pages.
All this said, as originally stated, if you're looking to get a nice overview of the political career of Allan Shivers' political career, this book will suffice. The book lends considerable discussion to the two topics Shivers seems to be most famous for: utilizing the governorship of the State of Texas in a way that ultimately leads to ultimate control at both the agency & legislative level and steering the state of Texas to the Republican party in the presidential elections of 1952 and 1956. Worth the read.
That said, the book is perhaps too economic at times when it comes to telling the whole story. Shiver's life outside of politics is rarely mentioned in the book, particularly once the discussion of the governorship begins. Sometimes major topics seem to pop up out of nowhere without proper history and introduction. While social context is occasionally discussed, often times it is underdeveloped. Additionally, I felt like the reliance on a factually-specific record -- without additional social or historical context -- made for some relatively bland reading at times. I often felt like I was "slogging" through the book, forcing myself to turn the pages.
All this said, as originally stated, if you're looking to get a nice overview of the political career of Allan Shivers' political career, this book will suffice. The book lends considerable discussion to the two topics Shivers seems to be most famous for: utilizing the governorship of the State of Texas in a way that ultimately leads to ultimate control at both the agency & legislative level and steering the state of Texas to the Republican party in the presidential elections of 1952 and 1956. Worth the read.
Displaying 1 of 1 review