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American Populist: Huey Long of Louisiana
Thomas E. Patterson’s monumental biography of Huey Long is a profound reevaluation of his life and legacy, recognizing him as an inspirational progressive thinker, populist hero, and radical influence on the New Deal before an assassin’s bullet ended his life in 1935. First as governor and then as U.S. senator, Long transformed the politics of Louisiana by standing for the interests of citizens whom state officials had historically ignored. He eased suffrage restrictions so that more people could vote, and voters endorsed his program of more robust government services and shifting the tax burden to those better able to pay. In the United States Senate, during the darkest days of the Great Depression, he advocated loudly and ceaselessly for the redistribution of wealth, expanding public works, increasing the money supply, insuring bank deposits, paying old-age pensions and veterans’ benefits, delivering a minimum income for families, and funding college and vocational education. President Franklin D. Roosevelt, along with other politicians and pundits, dismissed Long’s proposals as nonsense put forth by a reckless demagogue in search of votes.
Despite several biographies, acclaimed novels, and historical studies in the years since Long’s death, his reputation today is mostly caricature: a spellbinding speaker, a dictator, a populist firebrand who was unprincipled and corrupt. Using previously untapped personal papers of Long and his son Russell, other primary sources, recent scholarship, and his experience as a lawyer, Patterson provides a necessary corrective as he analyzes the contours of Long’s career, deconstructs the elements of his success, undercuts several myths related to his time in office, and explains the circumstances that led to his ultimate downfall. The result is the most comprehensive, balanced, and analytical study of the Kingfish to date.
Despite several biographies, acclaimed novels, and historical studies in the years since Long’s death, his reputation today is mostly caricature: a spellbinding speaker, a dictator, a populist firebrand who was unprincipled and corrupt. Using previously untapped personal papers of Long and his son Russell, other primary sources, recent scholarship, and his experience as a lawyer, Patterson provides a necessary corrective as he analyzes the contours of Long’s career, deconstructs the elements of his success, undercuts several myths related to his time in office, and explains the circumstances that led to his ultimate downfall. The result is the most comprehensive, balanced, and analytical study of the Kingfish to date.
704 pages, Hardcover
First published February 1, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
July 14, 2025
Huey Long is one of the most fascinating and colorful figures in Louisiana history. Long championed the common man and improved the facilities in his home state, often building on the foundation laid by his predecessors as governor.
in this biography Patterson gives a great analysis of Long's life and career comparing the improvements Long brought to Louisiana with the changes in similar southern states such as Mississippi and North Carolina.
Patterson admittedly owes a great deal to the research done by T. Harry Williams who he frequently cites and refers to throughout the book.
The greatest bulk of the book is devoted to Long's seven years of leading Louisiana as Governor and then as U.S. Senator. Long's accomplishments include Improving the infrastructure throughout the state, paving gravel roads and building bridges, issuing free textbooks to students, upgrading medical facilities and increasing funding for LSU.
As a U.S. Senator Long originally supported FDR & the New Deal but felt it wasn't progressive enough in its early days. Ultimately FDR broke with Long in 1933 and began to appoint anti-Long appointees to positions in Louisiana. In 1935 Long finally broke with FDR and made plans to potentially challenge FDR for the presidency in 1936, it was at this point that FDR launched more progressive policies including Social Security to undercut Long's appeal. Long's dreams of challenging FDR ended when Long was assassinated during a special session of the Louisiana legislature in 1935.
Overall a very good overview of Long's career and much more in depth than previous bios but I don't feel like it treads much new ground.
in this biography Patterson gives a great analysis of Long's life and career comparing the improvements Long brought to Louisiana with the changes in similar southern states such as Mississippi and North Carolina.
Patterson admittedly owes a great deal to the research done by T. Harry Williams who he frequently cites and refers to throughout the book.
The greatest bulk of the book is devoted to Long's seven years of leading Louisiana as Governor and then as U.S. Senator. Long's accomplishments include Improving the infrastructure throughout the state, paving gravel roads and building bridges, issuing free textbooks to students, upgrading medical facilities and increasing funding for LSU.
As a U.S. Senator Long originally supported FDR & the New Deal but felt it wasn't progressive enough in its early days. Ultimately FDR broke with Long in 1933 and began to appoint anti-Long appointees to positions in Louisiana. In 1935 Long finally broke with FDR and made plans to potentially challenge FDR for the presidency in 1936, it was at this point that FDR launched more progressive policies including Social Security to undercut Long's appeal. Long's dreams of challenging FDR ended when Long was assassinated during a special session of the Louisiana legislature in 1935.
Overall a very good overview of Long's career and much more in depth than previous bios but I don't feel like it treads much new ground.
February 22, 2025
Thanks to NetGalley and LSU Publishing for the digital copy of this book; I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I knew a little about Huey Long before I tackled this book, but I wanted a more nuanced and in-depth look into “The Kingfish” of Louisiana, who most certainly would have challenged Franklin Roosevelt for the Democratic nomination for President had an assassin not struck him down.
American Populist is a meticulously researched and well-written biography of the flamboyant and dictatorial Long, who ruled Louisiana as governor and United States Senator. He was a great champion for the poor as long as they were white, and he wanted a more educated populace, introducing free textbooks for every student in the state. He also believed in strengthening the states public works, launching hundreds of miles of improved roads. He improved social services for the state and championed the expansion of Louisiana State University.
Long exerted so much power that he essentially was an executive dictator. He controlled the judiciary, the tax-assessing and election oversight, and controlled the state militia. And no one dared to try and confront him. Yet, for everyone who complained about his authoritarian rule, many people in the state thought he was a savior. It’s true that Long did much good for those in Louisiana, but at a cost.
American Populist was a thorough dense and detailed read, yet I enjoyed learning more about a man who is largely a footnote in national political history.
I knew a little about Huey Long before I tackled this book, but I wanted a more nuanced and in-depth look into “The Kingfish” of Louisiana, who most certainly would have challenged Franklin Roosevelt for the Democratic nomination for President had an assassin not struck him down.
American Populist is a meticulously researched and well-written biography of the flamboyant and dictatorial Long, who ruled Louisiana as governor and United States Senator. He was a great champion for the poor as long as they were white, and he wanted a more educated populace, introducing free textbooks for every student in the state. He also believed in strengthening the states public works, launching hundreds of miles of improved roads. He improved social services for the state and championed the expansion of Louisiana State University.
Long exerted so much power that he essentially was an executive dictator. He controlled the judiciary, the tax-assessing and election oversight, and controlled the state militia. And no one dared to try and confront him. Yet, for everyone who complained about his authoritarian rule, many people in the state thought he was a savior. It’s true that Long did much good for those in Louisiana, but at a cost.
American Populist was a thorough dense and detailed read, yet I enjoyed learning more about a man who is largely a footnote in national political history.
January 1, 2026
Interesting read. Patterson relies heavily on T. Harry Williams (Huey Long - pub. 1969) but tends to be an apologist for the unsavory aspects of Huey's life/actions.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews