From Publishers Weekly
Weisberger ( From Sea to Shining Sea: A History of the United States ) here presents a carefully researched biography of the La Follettes, leaders in the Midwest Progressive movement that flourished in the late 1800s. Charismatic Robert (1855-1925) and his wife Bell (1859-1931) shared a commitment to democratic government and dedicated themselves to fighting corporate monopolies and corrupt politicians. As governor of Wisconsin (1901-1906) and a U.S. Senator (1906-1925), Robert sponsored many civic reforms. Opposed to WW I, he was denounced publicly by President Wilson. The La Follettes' three children, raised in an atmosphere of political idealism, were also activists. Their son Robert, who committed suicide in 1953, succeeded his father to the Senate; Phil, too, followed his father's path by becoming governor of Wisconsin; Fola, an actress, worked for women's suffrage. Weisberger's study is most successful as a family portrait; it is less compelling as a chronicle of the Progressive movement. Illustrations not seen by PW. Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.


From Booklist
Weisberger's collective biography of the La Follette family is both an intimate portrait of a close-knit clan and a fascinating political history of the progressive movement that flourished around the turn of the century. Considered one of the architects of progressivism, Robert ("Fighting Bob") La Follette instituted a variety of governmental reforms during his brief stint as governor of Wisconsin (1901-06) and his more lengthy tenure as a U.S. senator (1906-25). Under Bob La Follette's dedicated leadership, Wisconsin enjoyed a well-deserved reputation as one of the most modern and dynamic states in the country. While raising their four children in the tradition of public duty and service to the community, Bob and his wife, Belle, a freethinking journalist, suffragette, and law school graduate, maintained an extraordinarily loving and supportive relationship and remained ardently committed to a wide range of liberal social programs. Following the example of their remarkable parents, the next generation of La Follettes entered the political arena and endured both public triumph and personal tragedy. A compelling chronicle of the rise and fall of a significant American political dynasty. Recommended for larger American political history collections and where regional interest warrants acquisition. Margaret Flanagan


From Book News, Inc.
An intimate portrait of one of America's dynastic political families. The La Follettes were steeped in a commitment to challenge (and cure) society's ills, led by family patriarch "Fighting Bob" who was governor of Wisconsin (1901-1906) and US Senator (1906-1925). Annotation copyright Book News, Inc. Portland, Or.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

Dynastic political families have been an American tradition since the birth of the Republic. Indeed, a good part of our entire political history could be written simply by setting out the family histories of the Adamses, Roosevelts, Longs, and Kennedys. To that illustrious list must be added the La Follettes of Wisconsin, and they are brought vividly to life as never before in this collective biography by veteran journalist Bernard Weisberger. Magnetic, theatrical, intensely loved and passionately denounced, Robert Marion "Fighting Bob" La Follette was the rebel knight of the Progressive vanguard and a family patriarch in the larger-than-life tradition of Joe Kennedy. As governor of Wisconsin (1901-1906) and U.S. Senator (1906-1925) he battled uncompromisingly for his vision of democracy - an idealistic mixture of informed citizenry and enlightened public servants combining to produce a utopian egalitarianism. By contrast, the private man, often isolated and defeated by social forces beyond his understanding or control, suffered from intense periods of depression and relied heavily on his family for survival. With his beloved wife, Belle Case La Follette, a Progressive journalist in her own right, "old Bob" raised their brood to perceive a unique personal and family responsibility for challenging (and curing) society's ills. His first child, Fola, left her stage career to campaign for suffrage; Robert Jr. followed his father to the Senate in 1925, when he was only thirty; and, in 1930, youngest son Phil became the old man's heir as Governor of Wisconsin and as the state's leading Progressive figure. Not unlike the twentieth century's other political "first family," however, the La Follette saga ends in largely unrealized promise and tragedy. Fola, Phil, and Bob all ultimately abandoned public life, the latter two after bitter defeat and disillusionment. Finally, in February of 1953, "young Bob" took his own life. An intimate portrait of the Progressive movement

FROM THE CRITICS

Publishers Weekly

Weisberger ( From Sea to Shining Sea: A History of the United States ) here presents a carefully researched biography of the La Follettes, leaders in the Midwest Progressive movement that flourished in the late 1800s. Charismatic Robert (1855-1925) and his wife Bell (1859-1931) shared a commitment to democratic government and dedicated themselves to fighting corporate monopolies and corrupt politicians. As governor of Wisconsin (1901-1906) and a U.S. Senator (1906-1925), Robert sponsored many civic reforms. Opposed to WW I, he was denounced publicly by President Wilson. The La Follettes' three children, raised in an atmosphere of political idealism, were also activists. Their son Robert, who committed suicide in 1953, succeeded his father to the Senate; Phil, too, followed his father's path by becoming governor of Wisconsin; Fola, an actress, worked for women's suffrage. Weisberger's study is most successful as a family portrait; it is less compelling as a chronicle of the Progressive movement. Illustrations not seen by PW. (Apr.)

BookList - Margaret Flanagan

Weisberger's collective biography of the La Follette family is both an intimate portrait of a close-knit clan and a fascinating political history of the progressive movement that flourished around the turn of the century. Considered one of the architects of progressivism, Robert ("Fighting Bob") La Follette instituted a variety of governmental reforms during his brief stint as governor of Wisconsin (1901-06) and his more lengthy tenure as a U.S. senator (1906-25). Under Bob La Follette's dedicated leadership, Wisconsin enjoyed a well-deserved reputation as one of the most modern and dynamic states in the country. While raising their four children in the tradition of public duty and service to the community, Bob and his wife, Belle, a freethinking journalist, suffragette, and law school graduate, maintained an extraordinarily loving and supportive relationship and remained ardently committed to a wide range of liberal social programs. Following the example of their remarkable parents, the next generation of La Follettes entered the political arena and endured both public triumph and personal tragedy. A compelling chronicle of the rise and fall of a significant American political dynasty. Recommended for larger American political history collections and where regional interest warrants acquisition.

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