Born to terrible tenant farmers in a log cabin in Graves County, Kentucky, Alben Barkley (1877--1956) rose to accomplish a countrywide political stature equaled through few of his contemporaries. His memorable public profession ranged from the innovative period to the early years of the chilly conflict, and he witnessed or stimulated the various key occasions of the 20 th century. finally elected vice chairman of the U.S. at the price tag with Harry S. Truman in 1949, Barkley possessed a candid demeanor and social talents that helped him turn into probably the most renowned politicians of his day.

In Alben Barkley: A existence in Politics, James okay. Libbey bargains the 1st full-length biography of this larger-than-life character, following Barkley in his transition from neighborhood baby-kisser to congressman, then senator, senate majority chief, vice chairman, and senator once more. a faithful Democrat, Barkley was once instrumental in guiding Franklin D. Roosevelt's New Deal courses via Congress. He later took on a key function in handling household coverage because the president grew to become progressively more immersed in international warfare II.

Libbey additionally unearths Barkley's human aspect, from his super humble beginnings to his dramatic and chilling ultimate speech at Washington and Lee college in 1956, while he acknowledged, "I could otherwise be a servant in the home of the Lord than to take a seat within the seats of the mighty," offering the mythical quote moments ahead of succumbing to an enormous middle assault. an important contribution to American heritage, this definitive biography deals a protracted late examine the "Iron guy" of politics.