A mostly interesting look into Hubert Humphrey and his endeavors in relation to civil rights. I found it an enjoyable read that I would definitely recommend to anyone who wants to read about a figure in US history.

Although I have never been nearer than three thousand miles to the USA I have nevertheless always had a deep fascination with its history, culture and politics. The first American presidential election that I remembered and followed was that of 1968 which was the year that finally saw the end of that sense of hope and change that developed in the early sixties and it was arguably also the beginning of the end of that existential concept the "American Dream". The 1968 election dominates this wonderfully written and thoroughly researched biography by Arnold A. Offner which places it into the context of the political and geopolitical situation at that time and also explores how the personalities and motivations of the two Democratic Party main players Humphrey and Johnson effected the outcome of it.

Hubert Humphrey was one of if not the greatest legislators in American history. He represented Minnesota in the Senate from 1949 to 1964 and 1971 to 1978 before that he won election as mayor of Minneapolis in 1945 serving until 1948. He was an early active campaigner for civil rights fighting tirelessly for this in the face of ferocious obstructionist opposition principally from the southern segregationists within his own party. Even to achieve some fairly basic legislation he needed to display his political dexterity in securing non partisan support and showing the need to compromise. He became an expert not only in domestic but foreign policy travelling around the world in the fifties meeting world leaders including Khrushchev.

So why was it that this remarkably gifted and knowledgeable politician never made it to the Oval Office? Well after reading this book the seminal moment that might go some way to explaining this was in 1964 when Johnson offered him the Vice Presidency. This was seen after Truman and Johnson acceded through this route as perhaps the easiest and obvious next step to the Presidency but in reality for Humphrey it was a poisoned chalice due to Johnson's manipulative, controlling, paranoid nature and of course the thing that overshadowed everything else, Vietnam. Although initially he had reservations about escalating the war, as Vice President he had not only to adhere to the policy but sell it to the nation which would lead to the fragmentation of his support amoungst liberals.

Even when nominated in 1968 and running for election Johnson did everything to impede and obstruct him leading to Offner's not unreasonable assumption that he secretly favoured Nixon. Like a character from Shakespeare, Humphrey so near to achieving the ultimate prize was unable and unwilling to do the thing that was required to achieve this which was distancing himself and repudiating Johnson who he mistakenly despite the documented ritual humiliations saw as some kind of father figure.

So what lessons can be learnt from Humphrey in a world that in my humble opinion needs liberalism more than ever. Well I would say stay true to your convictions but be prepared to compromise to get things done for the benefit of society. It can be argued that Humphrey has been somewhat overlooked but this absorbing and for me quite unputdownable book goes someway to correct this.