And I Haven't Had a Bad Day Since: From the Streets of Harlem to the Halls of Congress

I was flipping channels when I came across an interview with Charles Rangel on the Charlie Rose show. I was not familiar with him or his politics but he had a level of energy and charisma that led me to look him up online. I enjoy political biographies and memoirs and was interested in his perspective based on his 30+ years in Congress. He has led a fascinating life from his boyhood days to serving the country in Korea to working the political machine in DC and NY. "You can not imagine and dream what you have not been informed of." This statement in an early chapter foreshadows how Mr. Rangel built a career and a life with no precedent in his immediate surroundings. The human story of his adventures keeps the book interesting. He is a great example of a person who learns from his experiences and is continuously applying it while striving to make a difference with his politics. The complicated mix of friendships, loyalties, opponents and foes are as expected with a political leader. Extraordinary stories describe his alliances and longstanding loyalties to his district. The fact that he has lived within the same area of Harlem since his childhood shows his dedication and commitment, as well as a marathon level of perseverance. I may not agree 100% with his politics but he has a way of stating his position that is impressive. One example is his stance on the war and the draft. Having served in the military during wartime, he is uniquely qualified to represent the interests of our soldiers. His position that those who support a war should support a draft is thought-provoking. Meaning if you support the war, you should support potentially having those closest to you as active participants. I'm surprised that I was not familiar with Charlie Rangel before, but I'm glad that I caught up with this biography. I appreciated learning about him, his career and most importantly his political stance that has and will continue to shape legislation.

Charlie Rangel surprised me with his wit and respect for the institutions he has served in. He is a far more humble man than I would have guessed, but he knows what factors directed his life. Anyone who wants to see how his race has moved up, survived urban conditions, and then served and contributed has to read this book. It also shows how much prejudice and ethnic ties affect politics more this yuppie-fied world we now live in will admit. It has always been this way, and Charlie Rangel accepts it realisticaly and displays the years since the Korean war where he has served his country in its government. I like watching Congressional moves and am personally surprised more do not hang with C-SPAN observing both houses in these critical times. I found myself agreeing with the Congressman from NY City more than I thought I might; he is a brilliant man and I am glad he accomplished becoming chair of the Ways and Means Committee. The years immediately ahead are going to be tough, and we need him there. I am an Independent, but will always vote Democratic after what this current administration has done to this country. My book on flying helicopters in Vietnam stresses the USA's mistakes there, but the Bush Administration has unbelievably exceeded those mistakes of the past.

Congressman Rangel, Chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, has come a long way - thanks to lots of hard work and overcoming blatant racism for many, many years. The books tells his life story from the early days to the Korean War (almost totally surrounded by the Chinese at night, Rangel was wounded but still led 43 others to safety across a frozen river - it was after that experience that he declared he hadn't had a bad day since), to his discharge from the Army, to the present day. Rangel's post discharge experiences were far from rewarding - one menial job after another, in stark comparison to the high non-commissioned officer status he could have had staying in. Rangel eventually found his way to the VA, battled past the old-time bureaucrats, and eventually settled on a goal of becoming an attorney - despite having two years of high-school remaining. Nonetheless, Rangel accomplished this with the help of the G.I. Bill and a scholarship. The book is primarily about Rangel (no nasty revelations about fellow Democrats, and only a few down remarks about Republicans). Regardless, without question he is a very inspirational and impressive person!

This shows what a person can do when in a situation when you let your onw selt go and think of what needs to be done. He showed bravery in combat and has taken it into his life. His strong Faith needs to be stressed in today's world. Very good book.

Meeting and talking with Congressman Rangel, one would never even imagine the kind of tough street life he lived through in his youth. Despite his upbringing in an environment where drugs, alcohol and gangs played such a devastating havoc on many of the youth of the community, Charles Rangel projects the persona of the Catholic altar boy that he was, and to many of those who have known him in his professional life he is nothing like what he describes he was early in his life. What one immediately notices are his gentlemanly and conciliatory demeanor, his championship for democratic values, and sensitivity to the needs of his constituents. His book, "And I Haven't Had a Bad Day Since ..." is a chronicle of his life experiences and observations for over 70 years beginning in the 1930's. It is a special story, a book of Americana, in which community, national and international politics are explained with wisdom and wit. It describes the congressman's early struggles growing up in Harlem; his combat experiences in Korea where he became a decorated war hero, but after his return home once again back on the street with no education or job; then studying his butt off for all his lost time at New York University and Saint John's Law School with the help of the GI Bill; his subsequent elections to city, state and finally to the US Congress where he reached to the position of "Chairman-in-Waiting" for the House Ways and Means Committee. The book documents the congressman's legislative agenda on a local and national level, vividly details the arcane art of constituent politics and political alliances, and his dealings with local and national leaders, including with past and present United States Presidents. The book is a great lesson in politics, morality, legislative and leadership skills, and diplomacy all rolled in one. I found it highly educational, entertaining and fascinating. It is one of the best books I have read in a long time. D. H. Mariam