Wayne Morse: A Political Biography

By Mason Drukman

Book Overview

The career of Wayne Morse, Oregon's maverick senator (1944-68), offers insights on political issues that shaped the twentieth century and continue to echo in the twenty-first. Best known for being one of two senators to oppose the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution that initiated U.S. military intervention in Vietnam, Morse also maintained outspoken, principled stances on McCarthyism, labor rights, civil rights, equal access to education, the death penalty, and the importance of the checks and balances written into the Constitution. Morse could be eccentric and contradictory, but he was consistent in his readiness to speak against prevailing opinion and party politics in support of

his personal convictions.

Drawing on archival research, oral histories, and interviews with scores of Morse's contemporaries, Mason Drukman captures the vitality of a man who became dean of the University of Oregon Law School at age thirty-two, was involved in labor struggles of the 1930s and 1940s, and became the member of Congress most responsible for improving American education during the years of the New Frontier and the Great Society. In a balanced account and with lucid prose, Drukman offers a critical look at several decades of U.S. politics.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0875952801
• ISBN13: 9780875952802
• Release Date: February 2004
• Publisher: Oregon Historical Society
• Length: 557 Pages
• Weight: 1.55 lbs.
• Dimensions: 8.5" x 1.5" x 5.3"
• Grade Range: Postsecondary and higher

Customer Reviews

A great 20th Century Politician

I was a student and the University of Oregon in the 60's and had many opportunities to see Wayne Morse on campus and around town.He was truly one of the twentieth century's great politicians.It is sad to look back to the Vietnam era and realize he was (nearly) the lone voice of descent in the Government. All of those lost friends who died for no good reason.Wayne Morse is the perfect example of the politican who approached issues from a common sense point of view instead of a partisan point of view. He was such a good labor negotiator because he approached each negotiation from a reasoned point of view. He knew when either labor or management was full of B.S. and he told them so.This is also why he changed parties. Didn't have time for partisan politics when his party was not doing the right thing. The other great politician of the twentieth century who changed parties was Winston Churchill, who shared a balanced vision of the political world.Hopefully we'll see another Wayne Morse one of these days, but not likley in the current enviornment

Fascinating account of a true maverick

Senator Morse is one of our country's great historical figures. Mr. Drukman conveys the fascinating history of a man who was at the center of the cold war and foresaw a great many of the tragedies that unfolded in american foreign policy during the 1960's- most notably Vietnam. He was an outstanding politician- they just don't make em like this anymore.

Excellent, thorough examination of a fascinating leader.

Drukman explores nearly every facet of this incredible leader. Further, he does so with clear, thoughtful writing which illuminates the fascinating figures in every chapter. After researching Wayne Morse for three years myself (for a documentary film), I can honestly say that he is the only politician I know of who never once strayed from principle or betrayed the public trust. Indeed he sought to save America from those who did.