631. Thomas Patterson on Huey Long, Part 2

631. Part 2 of Thomas Patterson joining us to discuss his new book, American Populist: Huey Long of Louisiana. "Thomas E. Patterson’s monumental biography of Huey Long is a profound reevaluation of his life and legacy, recognizing him as an inspirational progressive thinker, populist hero, and radical influence on the New Deal. Long transformed the politics of Louisiana by standing for the interests of citizens whom state officials had historically ignored. He eased suffrage restrictions so that more people could vote, and voters endorsed his program of more robust government services and shifting the tax burden to those better able to pay. In the United States Senate,... he advocated loudly and ceaselessly for the redistribution of wealth, expanding public works, increasing the money supply, insuring bank deposits, paying old-age pensions and veterans’ benefits, delivering a minimum income for families, and funding college and vocational education. President Franklin D. Roosevelt, along with other politicians and pundits, dismissed Long’s proposals as nonsense put forth by a reckless demagogue in search of votes.... Despite several biographies, acclaimed novels, and historical studies in the years since Long’s death, his reputation today is mostly caricature: a spellbinding speaker, a dictator, a populist firebrand who was unprincipled and corrupt. Using previously untapped personal papers of Long and his son Russell, other primary sources, recent scholarship, and his experience as a lawyer, Patterson provides a necessary corrective as he analyzes the contours of Long’s career, deconstructs the elements of his success, undercuts several myths related to his time in office, and explains the circumstances that led to his ultimate downfall. The result is the most comprehensive, balanced, and analytical study of the Kingfish to date." Thomas Patterson founded the Patterson Law Firm in Chicago, which focuses on helping businesses manages crises. 

1. Now available: Liberty in Louisiana: A Comedy. The oldest play about Louisiana, author James Workman wrote it as a celebration of the Louisiana Purchase. Now it is back in print for the first time in 221 years. Order your copy today!
   
2. This week in the Louisiana Anthology. Infelicia by Adah Isaacs Menken. Menken left New Orleans to travel the world as an actress.
   "I will revel in my passion.
   At midnight I will feast on it in the darkness.
   For it was that which thrilled its crimson tides of reckless passion through the blue veins of my life, and made them leap up in the wild sweetness of Love and agony of Revenge!
   I am starving for this feast.
   Oh forget not that I am Judith!
   And I know where sleeps Holofernes."
   
3. This week in Louisiana history. June 21, 1863. The Civil War Battle of Lafourche Railroad Crossing south of Thibodaux.
   
4. This week in New Orleans history. Gerald Stith was the 18th mayor of New Orleans, serving from