Every Man a King: The Autobiography of Huey P. Long

Simple but entertaining

Being somewhat a student of history and a Louisiana resident for 43 years, I find the blustery, self-promoting Huey Long to be surprisingly modest in his autobiography. He passes off some of his greatest accomplishments -- providing free textbooks for all children enrolled in public and private schools, paving highways and constructing bridges to replace ferries -- in summary sentences while focusing in depth on the politics. He even admits mistakes, like greeting German ambassadors in his pajamas. The book is written in a conversational manner and is an easy, enjoyable read. His use of news articles ranting against his tactics is unexpected but he passes it off as their being a puppet of his arch enemy the Standard Oil Company, which is now Exxon. It's easy to see why people either loved him or hated him. He was a champion of the common man while pocketing as much as he could along the way. I recommend this book for anyone who is interested in how a small-town egomaniac can rise to power and wealth by inspiring the public and, at least in his eyes, doing it for the public good.

This fascinating piece of work 'written' by Huey P. Long during the height of his reign was intended to promote his 'legend and legacy', toward the goal of becoming President of the United States in 1936. However, it is best understood from the perspective of modern times.Huey P. Long has forever been portrayed as the personification of all that is evil in American Politics. American school children outside the State of Louisiana have been taught that Long, if left unchecked, would have destroyed American Democracy as we know it and replaced it with the most corrupt Dictatorship imaginable.Indeed, History has given Long a 'bad rap'. 'Every Man a King' is Huey Long's side of the story. Calling himself the 'friend of the working man', Long's brief but turbulent rise through American politics is unmatched by anyone in the 20th century. He was the Establishment's worst nightmare- a true Populist who really 're-distributed the wealth'. He took on the task of taxing the rich oil companies and other business interests in Louisiana and used the money to build roads, schools, and hospitals. His accomplishments are indisputable, and the moneyed interests absolutely hated him. His own abrasive and sometimes buffoon-like personality only fueled the fire for his enemies. But make no mistake about it, Long was a brilliant man and an extremely savvy politician who posed a serious threat to the status quo.Long has been dead nearly 70 years, yet his detractors still vehemently accuse him of 'robbing the people blind' during his reign. I say 'let history be the judge'. As late as the 1980's, most of the existing paved roads, schools, and hospitals in Louisiana were built during the Long administration. After his election to the U.S. Senate, Long became a national figure and a serious contender for the 1936 Presidential nomination. His constituents were America's poor and working class, and his Socialist ideas hit a chord with many Americans during those depression-era times. There's no question that most of Roosevelt's 'New Deal' program was a (successful) attempt to 'steal Huey Long's thunder'. Forget everything you've ever been taught about Huey Long and buy this book. There are two sides to every story, but history has only told us one side of the enigma that was Huey Long. This book will tell the other side. Read it and let history and your conscience decide whether Long was a sinner or a savior.

This book is clearly a political move made by Huey Long when he was aiming for the presidency. I found it interesting to discover about his life, and how he tried to show that he was just like everybody else.