Jake: Beginnings, on My Own, the Washington Years, the Campaign Trail, a Lifetime of Friends

by Pickle, Jake; Pickle, Peggy

• ISBN13: 9780292765726
• ISBN10: 029276572X
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 1997-04-01
• Publisher: Univ of Texas Pr

Summary

"Pickle's folksy vocabulary, his West Texas lilt, his wit and self-deprecating humor echo throughout the book. Each story stands alone, a good, entertaining read. But together, they tell the story of an old-fashioned politician, of Democratic politics in Texas, of conflicts, friendships and personalities, including the likes of Lyndon B. Johnson and John Connally.... Jake contains the stories Pickle loves to tell. It's a delightful personal, political chronicle rather than the more traditional political autobiography." --Austin American-Statesman "A heckuva storyteller, Jake Pickle turns this book into a front porch on a lazy summer evening, and puts his reader right beside him. Rich in anecdotes from West Texas to Washington and back again, Jake will introduce you to dozens of colorful characters, several of whom happen to be this country's top leaders. Jake is that great rarity: a political memoir that's really memorable." --Dan Rather "Jake Pickle's book is the kind of book Mark Twain would have written had he served in Congress. It is funny, partly sad, revelatory, and most of all so cheerfully readable. It may be the best book written thus far about the life of a Congressman." --Jack Valenti "Who else in our nation has had the political experience of Jake Pickle? Jake has been a personal friend of mine for many years; and over this period of time, I have been thoroughly entertained with his stories. Now that Jake has put them down in written form, everyone will be treated to stories about his illustrious political career." --Darrell Royal "My life has been given special purpose," Jake Pickle says. "Some men live to make money, drink, chase women, collect art, excel at a sport, or pursue other things that give them pleasure. The thing I got hooked on was helping people. And I've had the privilege of helping people by the thousands. Serving in Congress was the greatest honor of my life." In this book, Jake Pickle tells the story of a lifetime in public service, including thirty-one years as Representative for Texas' Tenth Congressional District. Jake tells his story by telling stories--most of them humorous, some poignant--that add up to a warmly personal account of his life and career. At the heart of the book are Jake's stories of political life in Washington, Austin, and on the campaign trail. These range from hilarious accounts of all that can and does happen at small-town Texas parades and rallies to clear, no-baloney explanations of some of the major legislation that Jake helped to pass. His stories about Social Security reform, tax-exempt organizations, and pension fund reform legislation make these complex topics easy to understand. This book was written as a collaboration between Jake and his daughter, Peggy Pickle. It offers the fun of listening to a born raconteur spin his tales, while it reveals the ethics and integrity of a man who never forgot that the people elected him to serve them.

Table of Contents

Foreword	ix	(6)
Ann Richards
Acknowledgments	xv	(2)
Introduction	xvii
Peggy Pickle
PART ONE. BEGINNINGS	1	(32)
1. West Texas Roots	3	(8)
2. Uncle Gus and Uncle Arthur	11	(6)
3. Little Campus	17	(16)
PART TWO. ON MY OWN	33	(48)
4. My First Meeting with LBJ	35	(6)
5. Handsome Harry	41	(4)
6. The Navy Years	45	(14)
7. The KVET Boys	59	(11)
8. Dollars for Democrats	70	(6)
9. Steamboats up the Colorado	76	(2)
10. Bob Keckler's Cow	78	(3)
PART THREE. THE WASHINGTON YEARS	81	(90)
11. My First Twenty-four Hours in Congress	83	(6)
12. The Closer You Get	89	(2)
13. The Civil Rights Act	91	(6)
14. The White Shark	97	(4)
15. Pop Goes to Washington	101	(8)
16. My First Embassy Party	109	(4)
17. Bless Their Hearts	113	(2)
18. (Don't) Smoke, Smoke, Smoke That Cigarette	115	(4)
19. Listening for the Bell	119	(4)
20. The Ladies Excluded	123	(2)
21. Confessions of a Rattlesnake Chili Champ	125	(4)
22. Tax Exempts: Charities or Tax Dodges?	129	(10)
23. How Big Business Threatens Our Nation's Pension Funds	139	(12)
24. Congressional Prayer Breakfasts	151	(6)
25. Preserving Social Security	157	(12)
26. Who Are You?	169	(2)
PART FOUR. THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL	171	(24)
27. "G" as in Jesus	173	(2)
28. What's James Buchanan Ever Done for You?	175	(2)
29. Love, Bess	177	(2)
30. The First Time I Met Jean	179	(4)
31. Ticket, Please	183	(3)
32. On the Road with Fleetwood	186	(5)
33. Beryl Takes the Wheel	191	(4)
PART FIVE. A LIFETIME OF FRIENDS	195	(32)
34. Judge Critz's Story	197	(4)
35. "Governor" Pickle	201	(2)
36. Dan's Debut	203	(3)
37. The 88th Club	206	(5)
38. Good-bye to LBJ and Big John	211	(8)
39. Family Talent	219	(8)
Epilogue	227	(2)
Index	229