Daniel Patrick Moynihan

by Steven R. Weisman

Genres: History

720 pages, Hardcover

First published October 7, 2010

Reviews

[Eric Hybertson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hugely inspiring, but one-sided for a reader that was too young to have lived it. It took me several years to finish.

[Josh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Even for those who might not be devotees of one of America's greatest statesmen, the book still provides a fascinating and rich view of American history; politics; domestic and international; the White House, etc... (As disposed as I am to Michael Barone's observation that Moynihan was, "the nation's best thinker among politicians since Lincoln and its best politician among thinkers since Jefferson.") A long book but the letters are usually quite manageable in their length and pertinence. Moynihan's wit and intellect are on full display and I found myself dog-earring a lot of pages for memorable phrases that I'll shamefully use (but try to cite) down the road. I think the quote best summarizes his public service is, "A journalist asked him later why he joined Nixon's staff, and (Moynihan) replied 'The cities were in flames and the President asked for my help. Under those circumstances if you don't serve your country what kind of person are you?'" They don't make many like this any more.

[Christopher · Rating 4 out of 5]

An illuminating portrait of politics from the 60s through the Clinton administration, to say nothing of Moynihan (who is a character... brilliant, vain, principled, sometimes preening). On the last point... generally one doesn't complain about books over 700 pages needing more depth, but these letters sometimes leave you struggling to fully understand Moynihan (for example, how does such a poor boy develop such patrician tastes?). The letters start in the 60s, when he is already in his 30s, and lean towards the political over the personal. Still, a minor complaint.

[Geoffrey Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

The letters from the Nixon years are the best when DPM tries (sometimes successfully) to convince Nixon that the great reformers in history are Tories with liberal ideas.

Always fascinating, sometimes infuriating but nonetheless, one of the brightest and most able public servants to sit in the US Senate.

The book always made me weep at the loss of the "Greatest Generation" from US political leadership and their replacement by the narcissistic twits (Right, largely, since they've been in the ascendancy for the last generation but also, Left) of the Baby Boom.

Highly recommended.

[Mof · Rating 5 out of 5]

Moynihan was a rarity for a modern day politician. He was a long range thinker. The book is a depressing read because so many of the issues that he hope to address are still not solved.