The Life and Times of Henry Bellmon

Profiles the life and career of the Oklahoma politician

Bellmon's candid and action-filled autobiography records his career as a dedicated public servant who rose through the ranks of Oklahoma's Republican Party; after being named its chairman in 1960, he in effect reorganized the state party. Only two years later, the ex-marine and ``dumb farmer'' 's folksy but astute ``no new taxes'' campaign won him the first of two terms as governor of a five-to-one Democratic Oklahoma, with the second term beginning in 1986. Elected in the interim to the U.S. Senate in 1968, he describes his 12-year tenure there as ``filled with frustration,'' in contrast to being ``his own boss'' as farmer and governor. Despite his party loyalty and staunch support of Nixon, Bellmon maintained his independence as an advocate of the Equal Rights Amendment, school integration and busing, as well as ratification of the controversial Panama Canal Treaty. Bellmon's daughter Pat, a former Washington Post writer, served as his coauthor. Photos not seen by PW.

Copyright 1992 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

For those interested in what it is like to develop a political career, moving from rags to recognition as an advisor to presidents, a governor, and a senator, this autobiography can be captivating reading. The one-time senator and two-term governor from Oklahoma describes, in often homespun detail, growing up poor and becoming a marine during World War II. Bellmon's on-again, off-again relationship with presidential candidate Richard Nixon gives insight into a trait that all politicians should have, i.e., to let go of the past when presidential political needs require. His contrasting views of the role of an in-touch governor and a freshman senator demonstrates how political animals feel when they find themselves on the fringe of the decision-making loop. He takes pride in the fact that his unorthodox liberalism in a conservative state has not hindered his re-election bids. (Bellmon demonstrated his enormous staying power by serving two terms as governor 20 years apart.) Recommended.
- Frank Kessler, Missouri Western State Coll., St. Joseph
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.