Reviews
"Presents the pivotal figures and elections of North Carolina's twentieth-century politics in an entertaining and insightful fashion. . . . Christensen's panoramic picture of the state's modern politics is much more than fascinating." --North Carolina Historical Review, "Presents the pivotal figures and elections of North Carolina's twentieth-century politics in an entertaining and insightful fashion. . . . Christensen's panoramic picture of the state's modern politics is much more than fascinating." -North Carolina Historical Review, "Christensen has written a terrific . . . history here, one that is very readable and absolutely jammed full of facts, figures, and anecdotes. . . . [He] lay[s] the historical basis for North Carolina politics as they exist today." --Winston-Salem Journal, "Presents the pivotal figures and elections of North Carolina's twentieth-century politics in an entertaining and insightful fashion. . . . Christensen's panoramic picture of the state's modern politics is much more than fascinating."-- North Carolina H, Concentrating his focus on the upper level of state politics, the battles for the offices of governor and senator, Christensen explains the see-saw of Tar Heel sentiments. . . . Christensen thoroughly covers his topic. -- Foreword Magazine, "Hotter and slicker than a politician's handshake at a pig pickin' in July." - Marcy Smith, RaleighRaleigh News & Observer, "A vivid tableau. . . . Informative, delightful and entertaining. . . . A page turner." -- Wake County Physician, "Christensen has written a terrific . . . history here, one that is very readable and absolutely jammed full of facts, figures, and anecdotes. . . . [He] lay[s] the historical basis for North Carolina politics as they exist today."-- Winston-Salem Journal, "A vivid tableau. . . . Informative, delightful and entertaining. . . . A page turner." —Wake County Physician, "Fascinating. . . . Christensen is a keen observer and first-rate storyteller. . . . Whether you're a native or a newcomer, Christensen's book will tell you things you didn't know about the people and forces behind [North Carolina's] astonishing transformation." -- The Charlotte Observer, The well-told story of North Carolina's 20th-century political dynasties forged by patronage, cronyism, kickbacks, fraud, character assassination and the high art of stealing elections honorably. . . . Christensen succeeds where most political historians fail; he makes the story interesting. . . . A must-read for all who value insight into the realities of winning campaigns and governing in a democracy.--John N. Davis, Raleigh News and Observer, The book is a gem. The analysis and storytelling are first-rate. You learn a lot from this book and have fun doing it. . . . Christensen has spent his professional life observing, probing and writing about the state's political life, meeting the highest|9780807831892|, The book is a gem. The analysis and storytelling are first-rate. You learn a lot from this book and have fun doing it. . . . Christensen has spent his professional life observing, probing and writing about the state's political life, meeting the highest standards of objectivity and fairness. There's nobody better to explain Tar Heel politics than Rob Christensen.--John Drescher, Raleigh News and Observer, Fascinating. . . . Christensen is a keen observer and first-rate storyteller. . . . Whether you're a native or a newcomer, Christensen's book will tell you things you didn't know about the people and forces behind [North Carolina's] astonishing transform|9780807831892|, Concentrating his focus on the upper level of state politics, the battles for the offices of governor and senator, Christensen explains the see-saw of Tar Heel sentiments. . . . Christensen thoroughly covers his topic. —Foreword Magazine, "Christensen . . . has a nice touch for writing about the characters (and sometimes the rogues) who have populated N.C. politics over the years."--Jack Betts, The Charlotte Observer, "Fascinating. . . . Christensen is a keen observer and first-rate storyteller. . . . Whether you're a native or a newcomer, Christensen's book will tell you things you didn't know about the people and forces behind [North Carolina's] astonishing transformation." -The Charlotte Observer, The well-told story of North Carolina's 20th-century political dynasties forged by patronage, cronyism, kickbacks, fraud, character assassination and the high art of stealing elections honorably. . . . Christensen succeeds where most political historians fail; he makes the story interesting. . . . A must-read for all who value insight into the realities of winning campaigns and governing in a democracy. --John N. Davis, Raleigh News and Observer, "Fascinating. . . . Christensen is a keen observer and first-rate storyteller. . . . Whether you're a native or a newcomer, Christensen's book will tell you things you didn't know about the people and forces behind [North Carolina's] astonishing transformation."-- The Charlotte Observer, "Hotter and slicker than a politician's handshake at a pig pickin' in July."--Marcy Smith, Raleigh News & Observer, "Fascinating. . . . Christensen is a keen observer and first-rate storyteller. . . . Whether you're a native or a newcomer, Christensen's book will tell you things you didn't know about the people and forces behind [North Carolina's] astonishing transformation." —The Charlotte Observer, The well-told story of North Carolina's 20th-century political dynasties forged by patronage, cronyism, kickbacks, fraud, character assassination and the high art of stealing elections honorably. . . . Christensen succeeds where most political historians|9780807831892|, "Christensen has written a terrific . . . history here, one that is very readable and absolutely jammed full of facts, figures, and anecdotes. . . . [He] lay[s] the historical basis for North Carolina politics as they exist today." -Winston-Salem Journal, "Lively and well crafted. . . . A valuable study of an important aspect of the state's history, acessible for both general and scholarly audiences." —Journal of Southern History, "A romp through 100 years of North Carolina politics...Help[s] readers understand the conflicts and contradictions that define North Carolina to this day." --Greensboro News and Record, Presents the pivotal figures and elections of North Carolina's twentieth-century politics in an entertaining and insightful fashion. . . . Christensen's panoramic picture of the state's modern politics is much more than fascinating.-- North Carolina Historical Review, "A romp through 100 years of North Carolina politics...Help[s] readers understand the conflicts and contradictions that define North Carolina to this day." -Greensboro News and Record, "Lively and well crafted. . . . A valuable study of an important aspect of the state's history, accessible for both general and scholarly audiences."-- The Journal of Southern History, Lively and well crafted. . . . A valuable study of an important aspect of the state's history, accessible for both general and scholarly audiences.-- The Journal of Southern History, The well-told story of North Carolina's 20th-century political dynasties forged by patronage, cronyism, kickbacks, fraud, character assassination and the high art of stealing elections honorably. . . . Christensen succeeds where most political historians fail; he makes the story interesting. . . . A must-read for all who value insight into the realities of winning campaigns and governing in a democracy. --John N. Davis, RaleighNews and Observer, "The well-told story of North Carolina's 20th-century political dynasties forged by patronage, cronyism, kickbacks, fraud, character assassination and the high art of stealing elections honorably. . . . Christensen succeeds where most political historians fail; he makes the story interesting. . . . A must-read for all who value insight into the realities of winning campaigns and governing in a democracy."--John N. Davis, Raleigh News and Observer, "A romp through 100 years of North Carolina politics...Help[s] readers understand the conflicts and contradictions that define North Carolina to this day." —Greensboro News and Record, This book is more than issues and events, however. It is an encyclopedic biographical reference of the people whose electoral success, achievements, and misadventures have long confounded those seeking to properly place North Carolina on the political spectrum. —Howard E. Covington Jr., coeditor ofThe North Carolina Century: Tar Heels Who Made a Difference, 1900-2000, "Presents the pivotal figures and elections of North Carolina's twentieth-century politics in an entertaining and insightful fashion. . . . Christensen's panoramic picture of the state's modern politics is much more than fascinating."-- North Carolina Historical Review, Concentrating his focus on the upper level of state politics, the battles for the offices of governor and senator, Christensen explains the see-saw of Tar Heel sentiments. . . . Christensen thoroughly covers his topic. -Foreword Magazine, Christensen has written a terrific . . . history here, one that is very readable and absolutely jammed full of facts, figures, and anecdotes. . . . [He] lay[s] the historical basis for North Carolina politics as they exist today.-- Winston-Salem Journal, Hotter and slicker than a politician's handshake at a pig pickin' in July.--Marcy Smith, Raleigh News & Observer, "A vivid tableau. . . . Informative, delightful and entertaining. . . . A page turner." -Wake County Physician, "Christensen has written a terrific . . . history here, one that is very readable and absolutely jammed full of facts, figures, and anecdotes. . . . [He] lay[s] the historical basis for North Carolina politics as they exist today." -- Winston-Salem Journal, "Lively and well crafted. . . . A valuable study of an important aspect of the state's history, acessible for both general and scholarly audiences." --Journal of Southern History, "Hotter and slicker than a politician's handshake at a pig pickin' in July." -- Marcy Smith, RaleighRaleigh News & Observer, Fascinating. . . . Christensen is a keen observer and first-rate storyteller. . . . Whether you're a native or a newcomer, Christensen's book will tell you things you didn't know about the people and forces behind [North Carolina's] astonishing transformation.-- The Charlotte Observer, The well-told story of North Carolina's 20th-century political dynasties forged by patronage, cronyism, kickbacks, fraud, character assassination and the high art of stealing elections honorably. . . . Christensen succeeds where most political historians fail; he makes the story interesting. . . . A must-read for all who value insight into the realities of winning campaigns and governing in a democracy. -John N. Davis, RaleighNews and Observer, "Christensen has written a terrific . . . history here, one that is very readable and absolutely jammed full of facts, figures, and anecdotes. . . . [He] lay[s] the historical basis for North Carolina politics as they exist today."-- Winston-Salem Journ, "Hotter and slicker than a politician's handshake at a pig pickin' in July." — Marcy Smith, RaleighRaleigh News & Observer, This book is more than issues and events, however. It is an encyclopedic biographical reference of the people whose electoral success, achievements, and misadventures have long confounded those seeking to properly place North Carolina on the political spectrum. -Howard E. Covington Jr., coeditor ofThe North Carolina Century: Tar Heels Who Made a Difference, 1900-2000, "Lively and well crafted. . . . A valuable study of an important aspect of the state's history, acessible for both general and scholarly audiences." -- Journal of Southern History, The well-told story of North Carolina’s 20th-century political dynasties forged by patronage, cronyism, kickbacks, fraud, character assassination and the high art of stealing elections honorably. . . . Christensen succeeds where most political historians fail; he makes the story interesting. . . . A must-read for all who value insight into the realities of winning campaigns and governing in a democracy. —John N. Davis, RaleighNews and Observer, Christensen . . . has a nice touch for writing about the characters (and sometimes the rogues) who have populated N.C. politics over the years.--Jack Betts, The Charlotte Observer, "The book is a gem. The analysis and storytelling are first-rate. You learn a lot from this book and have fun doing it. . . . Christensen has spent his professional life observing, probing and writing about the state's political life, meeting the highest standards of objectivity and fairness. There's nobody better to explain Tar Heel politics than Rob Christensen."--John Drescher, Raleigh News and Observer, "A romp through 100 years of North Carolina politics. . . . Help[s] readers understand the conflicts and contradictions that define North Carolina to this day."-- Greensboro News and Record, "A romp through 100 years of North Carolina politics...Help[s] readers understand the conflicts and contradictions that define North Carolina to this day." -- Greensboro News and Record, "A vivid tableau. . . . Informative, delightful and entertaining. . . . A page turner." --Wake County Physician, "Hotter and slicker than a politician's handshake at a pig pickin' in July." -- Marcy Smith, Raleigh Raleigh News & Observer, A romp through 100 years of North Carolina politics. . . . Help[s] readers understand the conflicts and contradictions that define North Carolina to this day.-- Greensboro News and Record, "Lively and well crafted. . . . A valuable study of an important aspect of the state's history, acessible for both general and scholarly audiences." -Journal of Southern History, This book is more than issues and events, however. It is an encyclopedic biographical reference of the people whose electoral success, achievements, and misadventures have long confounded those seeking to properly place North Carolina on the political spectrum. --Howard E. Covington Jr., coeditor of The North Carolina Century: Tar Heels Who Made a Difference, 1900-2000, "Christensen has written a terrific . . . history here, one that is very readable and absolutely jammed full of facts, figures, and anecdotes. . . . [He] lay[s] the historical basis for North Carolina politics as they exist today." —Winston-Salem Journal, "Presents the pivotal figures and elections of North Carolina's twentieth-century politics in an entertaining and insightful fashion. . . . Christensen's panoramic picture of the state's modern politics is much more than fascinating." —North Carolina Historical Review, "Presents the pivotal figures and elections of North Carolina's twentieth-century politics in an entertaining and insightful fashion. . . . Christensen's panoramic picture of the state's modern politics is much more than fascinating." -- North Carolina Historical Review
Synopsis
How can a state be represented by Jesse Helms and John Edwards at the same time? Journalist Rob Christensen answers that question and navigates a century of political history in North Carolina, one of the most vibrant and competitive southern states, where neither conservatives nor liberals, Democrats nor Republicans, have been able to rest easy. It is this climate of competition and challenge, Christensen argues, that enabled North Carolina to rise from poverty in the nineteenth century to become a leader in research, education, and banking in the twentieth., How can a state be represented by Jesse Helms and John Edwards at the same time? Journalist Rob Christensen answers that question and navigates a century of political history in North Carolina, one of the most vibrant and competitive southern states, where neither conservatives nor liberals, Democrats nor Republicans, have been able to rest easy. It is this climate of competition and challenge, Christensen argues, that enabled North Carolina to rise from poverty in the nineteenth century to become a leader in research, education, and banking in the twentieth.Although party divisions and the issues of race that often distinguish them are deeply rooted, Christensen explains, North Carolina voters remain loyal to candidates who focus on issues such as education and building a business-friendly infrastructure. He takes us to picket lines and debates and through numerous red-baiting and race-baiting political campaigns. Along the way we are introduced to many remarkable characters, including a U.S. senator who was a Nazi sympathizer, a candidate for governor who was a Soviet agent, a senator who helped bring down Joe McCarthy and Richard Nixon, and a TV commentator who helped usher in the Reagan Revolution. Long before the talk of red state-blue state polarization, North Carolina was an intensely divided state politically. With Christensen as a guide, readers may find there is sense after all in the topsy-turvy nature of Tar Heel politics., How can a state be represented by Jesse Helms and John Edwards at the same time? Journalist Rob Christensen answers that question and navigates a century of political history in North Carolina, one of the most vibrant and competitive southern states, where neither conservatives nor liberals, Democrats nor Republicans, have been able to rest easy. It is this climate of competition and challenge, Christensen argues, that enabled North Carolina to rise from poverty in the nineteenth century to become a leader in research, education, and banking in the twentieth. Although party divisions and the issues of race that often distinguish them are deeply rooted, Christensen explains, North Carolina voters remain loyal to candidates who focus on issues such as education and building a business-friendly infrastructure. He takes us to picket lines and debates and through numerous red-baiting and race-baiting political campaigns. Along the way we are introduced to many remarkable characters, including a U.S. senator who was a Nazi sympathizer, a candidate for governor who was a Soviet agent, a senator who helped bring down Joe McCarthy and Richard Nixon, and a TV commentator who helped usher in the Reagan Revolution. Long before the talk of red state-blue state polarization, North Carolina was an intensely divided state politically. With Christensen as a guide, readers may find there is sense after all in the topsy-turvy nature of Tar Heel politics.
