DIXIECRAT: The Life and Times of Strom Thurmond

By: Jeffrey Smith

Narrated by: Virtual Voice

Length: 7 hrs and 10 mins

Publisher's summary

A colorful and controversial statesman who served in the United States Senate for a half-century, Strom Thurmond did retire from office until after he was one-hundred years old. Hailing from the small town of Edgefield, South Carolina, Thurmond rapidly ascended the political ladder--Superintendent of Education, State Senator, Circuit Court Judge, Governor, and U.S. Senator. An avowed States' Righter, Thurmond ran as a segregationist Dixiecrat presidential candidate in 1948. Thurmond holds the record for the longest solo filibuster in American history, when he held the floor for over twenty-four hours to protest the Civil Rights Act of 1957. The defiant South Carolinian is one of only two person to have ever been elected to national office by write-in vote. While remaining a staunch conservative, Thurmond eventually abandoned his segregationist ways and managed to earn the gratitude and electoral support of African American voters. With unrivaled service to his constituents, Thurmond was elected to the Senate on nine occasions. Thurmond never revealed that he had fathered a mixed race child. The general public did not learn about this potentially career-ending secret until after Thurmond's death. A decorated World War II veteran who participated in the D-Day invasion of France, a courageous Thurmond was not unwilling to undertake personal and political risks. The South Carolina Senator's bold actions, eternal youthfulness, and political longevity were the envy of supporters and opponents, alike. "Dixiecrat: The Life and Times of Strom Thurmond" is a concise biography of twentieth century political icon.

Thurmond the States' Righter

The Author, Jeffrey Smith gives much details and story telling of the Ol' Southern Conservative Strom Thurmond. His "Life & Times" are very interesting and consistent. I enjoyed learning about the Dixiecrat movement but I was hoping for a little more on that time of his career. The book would have received 5-stars however, the author spent too much time on Essie Mae. In fact, I was deeply considering a 3-star because there was entirely too much Essie Mae. If you are interested in learning more about Strom Thurmond, then this title Dixiecrat: The Life and Times of Strom Thurmond will satisfy your interest.