The Autobiography of Leverett Saltonstall

Massachusetts Governor, U.S. Senator, and Yankee Icon

Introduction by Richard E. Byrd III - Leverett Saltonstall - With Edward Weeks

In this fascinating autobiography, the late Massachusetts Governor and Senator Leverett Saltonstall shares stories from a political career that spanned nearly five decades—from the Massachusetts House of Representatives to the chambers of the U.S. Senate.

Few politicians in the history of the Republic have experienced such a successful career as this Yankee from Massachusetts. Saltonstall takes us behind the scenes, beginning with that day in 1923 when Governor Channing Cox swore him in as a member of the Massachusetts House of Representatives.

We get the insider’s perspective on the Boston Police strike and its aftermath, the controversial Sacco-Vanzetti case comes to life once again, and we are treated to the remarkable details of Saltonstall's battles with James Michael Curley, Dan Coakley, and William F. Callahan. His story of the "hush-hush" Senate committee that was charged with overseeing the CIA is still intriguing today as is his portrayal of Senators caught in a bind by Joe McCarthy.

The stories of Saltonstall’s life are told with humility and warmth—from his close working relationship with John F. Kennedy while they served in the Senate to together to the strong bond between him and his wife of sixty years to the impact "Uncle Cotty" and Henry Shattuck had on his political education and development.

Rowman & Littlefield Publishers

Pages: 288 • Trim: 6½ x 9¼

978-1-4422-5143-4 • Hardback • September 2015 • $42.00 • (£35.00)

978-1-4422-4990-5 • eBook • September 2015 • $39.50 • (£30.00)

Subjects: Biography & Autobiography / Political, Biography & Autobiography / Historical, History / Modern / 20th Century, History / United States / State & Local / New England (CT, MA, ME, NH, RI, VT)

The Autobiography of Leverett Saltonstall

Massachusetts Governor, U.S. Senator, and Yankee Icon

Hardback

eBook

Summary

In this fascinating autobiography, the late Massachusetts Governor and Senator Leverett Saltonstall shares stories from a political career that spanned nearly five decades—from the Massachusetts House of Representatives to the chambers of the U.S. Senate.

Few politicians in the history of the Republic have experienced such a successful career as this Yankee from Massachusetts. Saltonstall takes us behind the scenes, beginning with that day in 1923 when Governor Channing Cox swore him in as a member of the Massachusetts House of Representatives.

We get the insider’s perspective on the Boston Police strike and its aftermath, the controversial Sacco-Vanzetti case comes to life once again, and we are treated to the remarkable details of Saltonstall's battles with James Michael Curley, Dan Coakley, and William F. Callahan. His story of the "hush-hush" Senate committee that was charged with overseeing the CIA is still intriguing today as is his portrayal of Senators caught in a bind by Joe McCarthy.

The stories of Saltonstall’s life are told with humility and warmth—from his close working relationship with John F. Kennedy while they served in the Senate to together to the strong bond between him and his wife of sixty years to the impact "Uncle Cotty" and Henry Shattuck had on his political education and development.

Details

Rowman & Littlefield Publishers

Pages: 288 • Trim: 6½ x 9¼

978-1-4422-5143-4 • Hardback • September 2015 • $42.00 • (£35.00)

978-1-4422-4990-5 • eBook • September 2015 • $39.50 • (£30.00)

Subjects: Biography & Autobiography / Political, Biography & Autobiography / Historical, History / Modern / 20th Century, History / United States / State & Local / New England (CT, MA, ME, NH, RI, VT)

Author

The late U.S. Senator Leverett Saltonstall was born in Newton, Massachusetts on September 1, 1892. He graduated from Harvard College in 1914 and received his law degree from Harvard in 1917. His 46 year political career began in 1920 when he was elected to the Newton Board of Aldermen and continued until 1966, when he retired after serving three six-year terms in the United States Senate. In 1921, he was appointed an assistant district attorney for Middlesex County and in 1922 he won a seat in the Massachusetts House of Representatives. After only three terms there, he was elected Speaker of the House by his fellow Republicans and served four terms as the presiding officer of the House. In 1938, he was elected Governor for the first of three consecutive terms before being elected to the Senate in 1944. A member of one of New England’s oldest families, he nonetheless possessed the common touch and was beloved by his family, friends and constituents.

Richard E. Byrd III is the grandson of Leverett Saltonstall. He and his brothers and cousins collaborated on the new Introduction to this book.

Table of Contents

Foreword
Preface
Introduction to the Second Edition

1. Growing up in politics
2. Scandals, law and litigation
3. Eight years as House Speaker
4. The sweet and sour of being governor
5. Joining America's "most select club"
6. Committees, filibusters and debates
7. Overseeing the CIA and censuring McCarthy
8. Working with John F. Kennedy
9. "If I was of any help...I am glad"