I've Seen the Elephant: An Autobiography

I have to admit that in the early 90's I lived next door to Bill and Dolly Saxbe for a short time. During that period I got to know the Saxbes and enjoyed their company. Bill is exactly like the person whose life you read about in "I've Seen the Elephant". At a number of social events, I have heard Bill say to Dolly, "Come on Dolly, let's go to bed so these good folks can go home." Bill Saxbe is exactly the kind of person that you would want for a public servant with his common sense, his wit and charm and his love of family. His colorful career and his interesting life make good reading. Bill Saxbe is a man of influence who never forgot his roots and that is why even though he "Saw the Elephant" he is still Mechanicsburg's Favorite Son.

Mr.Saxbe and Mr.Franklin have explained the evolution of a politician {Mr. Saxbe}, While showing his inventiveness, strength, and hummaness in an informatable way.We have gotten to know one of our statesman of yesteryear. I loved the book and recommend it as required reading for political science classes, and for all Americans who have an interest in our complicated political system.

Bill Saxbe's new autobiography, written with expert assistance from Peter D. Franklin, is a lively and illuminating look at one man's long and fruitful political career. Both respected and feared for his outspoken views, Saxbe always said exactly what was on his mind regardless of political fallout. Among the many examples in this absorbing book are Saxbe's opinion, which proved to be prescient, of Spiro Agnew, selected by Richard Nixon as his vice-presidential nominee: "I told them I could think of thousands of Republicans who would be better." And his comment on White House stonewalling during Watergate: "They're like the piano player in the house of ill repute, claiming he doesn't know what's going on upstairs." On the war in Vietnam, which he opposed when few politicians dared: "It's like trying to push a truck up a hill with a towrope." On the subject of that tumultuous era, Saxbe reprints a poignant letter from his son, a Marine Corps officer headed for Vietnam, who tells him "Old soldiers never die -- just the young ones." While telling the story of his eventful career, Saxbe offers timely advice for today's politcos, including a cynical view of campaign contributions: "All those people who gave me money would then come in and tell me what to do." Fortunately for the nation, Bill Saxbe unfailingly listened to his own good judgement. My only criticism of the book is its length -- too short at 276 pages. I read it in two sittings and wanted more. Let's hope the colorful and courageous Mr. Saxbe will give us another volume -- perhaps this time focusing even more on those turbulent Vietnam/Watergate years when he was in the thick of it.

A lively and witty romp through Ohio and Washington politics by a master of the barb. Saxbe's agile esprit punctures pomposity with glee, which makes his autobiography such an amusing page-turner. The story of his rich and lengthy political career presents a uniquely compelling look at one special man's unstinting service to his country and the time in which he lived.Co-author Peter D. Franklin, whose previous books have raised corporate biography to new heights of readability, has captured the incomparable Saxbe at his sapient best in a book that will keep you chuckling to the very end.

Okay, this book was written by my grandfather, but my high regard is genuine none the less. Bill Saxbe had the good fortune to fall into politics during a half-century of fascinating upheavals, and he managed to get a front-row seat to the Nixon debacle, the fledgling Ford administration, the political maturation of India in the late '70s, the AT & T split, the Sam Shepherd trial, and the financial policy-making of the Teamsters. Throughout, he maintained his straight-shooting sense of humor, his devotion to his family, and his belief in the value of public service. A funny, exciting chronicle of a life in politics as seen through the eyes of an independent-minded scribe.