Is it true what they say about Dixy?: A biography of Dixy Lee Ray

by Lou Guzzo

Genres: Politics

234 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1980

About the author

Louis R. Guzzo

Lou Guzzo is a former journalist, author, and television commentator in Seattle, Washington. He was an art and theater critic for 20 years at the Seattle Times, then served as the managing editor of the Seattle Post-Intelligencer, where his investigative team wrote stories that led to the indictments of more than fifty corrupt government officials.

Guzzo was closely associated with Dixy Lee Ray. He worked with her when she was at the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission, co-authored books with her, and helped her in her successful bid for Governor of Washington.

Guzzo appeared regularly on KIRO-TV, where he was also an editorial consultant.

In 1986, his commentaries caught the attention of the punk-metal band The Dehumanizers, who named their debut 7" EP (and its title track) "Kill Lou Guzzo."

Guzzo has since retired from KIRO, but maintains a website where he continues to write a daily commentary on the events of the day.

Reviews

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dixy Lee Ray was governor of my state when I started reading the newspaper. She was governor when Mt. St. Helens erupted. She was a marine biologist, professor, director of the Pacific Science Center, director of the Atomic Energy Commission, State Department official, pilot, and dog lover. Those dogs went with her everywhere, from Foggy Bottom to the Governor's Office, where her dog Jacques peed on my old boss Phil Talmadge on the occasion of a bill signing. She led a scientific mission to the Indian Ocean and also led a mutiny, which I think means she's a pirate. She is related to Robert E. Lee meaning she's related to my in-laws. I mostly know her through a handful of court cases and eye rolls around the capitol campus.

I had imbibed the conventional wisdom around campus that her election was a fluke. The book has persuaded me that it wasn't. She made sense at the time.

I am somewhat skeptical of this book - it feels more like a hagiography than a biography. It gives Governor Lee credit for things I am dubious she should get the credit for, like the major educational reform in the wake of Seattle School District v. State. The author is a participant in the text. He advised Lee for years and was, apparently, terrified to fly with her. He loved her deeply.

But even with that skepticism, reading his book made me like Lee. She strove with history. She worked hard. She crossed swords with Henry Kissinger. Work worth doing.

[KJ · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was introduced to Dr. Dixy Lee Ray because I work at the Pacific Science Center now and holy cow, I think about her every day. The only reason it took me so long to read this book was because I didn't want to say "goodbye" to her. I aspire to be like Dixy and I hope my work at her beloved PSC is something she would approve of. I'm so inspired.