In this Book
- Barney Frank: The Story of America's Only Left-Handed, Gay, Jewish Congressman
- Book
- 2009
- Published by: University of Massachusetts Press
summary
In a survey conducted by Washingtonian magazine, Barney Frank was rated the smartest, funniest, and most eloquent member of Congress. A mainstay in the House of Representatives since 1981, he has come to be known for his talent as a legislator, his zeal for verbal combat, his imposing intellect, and a quick wit that both disarms and entertains other lawmakers. Most recently, as chair of the Financial Services Committee, he was instrumental in crafting a compromise bill to stem the tide of home mortgage foreclosures, as well as the subsequent $700 billion “rescue plan.”
Based on interviews with over 150 people, including more than thirty hours with Frank himself, this biography reconstructs for the first time his life and career, from his working-class childhood in Bayonne, New Jersey, to his years at Harvard and in Boston politics, through his rise to national prominence. Stuart Weisberg captures Frank in all his quirkiness, irreverence, and complexity. He also examines his less appealing side—his gruff exterior, his legendary impatience, his aversion to wasting time. Weisberg reveals the pressure Frank has felt as the most prominent openly gay politician in the United States, one whose career was nearly derailed by a highly publicized sex scandal involving a male prostitute.
Above all, this book shows Frank to be a superb legislator—a pragmatic politician who has dedicated his career to pursuing an unabashedly liberal agenda and whose depth of intellect and sense of humor have made him one of the most influential and colorful figures in Washington.
Table of Contents
Download Full Book
- Table of Contents
- pp. vii-viii
- Introduction
- pp. 1-10
- Chapter 2. Bayonne Born and Bred
- pp. 22-40
- Chapter 5. Coming to Washington
- pp. 85-96
- Chapter 7. The Gentleman from the Back Bay
- pp. 108-150
- Chapter 9. Rookie of the Year
- pp. 201-214
- Chapter 11. Barney, We Hardly Recognize Ye
- pp. 259-272
- Chapter 12. Subcommittee Chairman Frank
- pp. 273-286
- Chapter 15. Coming Out
- pp. 327-353
- Chapter 20. The Gay Washington Monument
- pp. 444-462
- Chapter 22. A Committee Chairman at Last
- pp. 485-502
Additional Information
ISBN
9781613761748
Related ISBN(s)
9781558497214
MARC Record
OCLC
794701555
Pages
584
Launched on MUSE
2012-01-01
Language
English
Open Access
No