HUEY LONG--POPULIST IN THE 1930’S

Coordinator: Michael D. Shapiro

Huey Long, also known as the Kingfish, was a unique character in the annals of American political history. His meteoric rise during the depths of the depression from a local Louisiana vote-getter to a state and national force was a fascinating example of how an energetic populist figure could challenge the embedded establishment. T. Harry Williams’ prize-winning biography (Pulitzer and National Book Award) is an in-depth study of how Long came to threaten the national candidacy of FDR through his Share The Wealth populist movement. Long’s demagogic and bullying methods and use of radio as a means of disseminating his message has parallels with our current political situation.

Readings and other Materials/Online Services: Huey Long by T. Harry Williams, {Alfred A. Knopf, 1970}. Coursepack includes readings from Every Man A King, Voices of Protest, All the King's Men.

Michael D. Shapiro, a retired attorney, has found a new career at the IRP as a coordinator of biographies of US Presidents, namely of LBJ, JFK and Truman, and he is now stepping back to the populist politician, Huey Long.

* * * * * * * * Syllabus - A Work in Progress * * * * * * * *

These sources were consulted in the preparation of this study group: Every Man A King: The Autobiography of Huey P. Long, Introduction by T. Harry Williams, {1933}. Voices of Protest, Huey Long, Father Coughlin and the Great Depression by Alan Brinkley, {1982}. All the King’s Men by Robert Penn Warren, {1946}. Huey Long in the Ken Burns America Collection, {PBS Home Video, 1985}.

Weekly readings from Huey Long by T. Harry Williams: Week 1: Chs. 1,2,3 and including preface Week 2: Chs. 4,5,6,7 Week 3: Chs. 8,9,10 Week 4: Chs. 11,12 Week 5: Chs. 13, 14 Week 6: Chs. 15,16 Week 7: Chs. 17, 18 Week 8: Chs. 19,20, 21 Week 9: Chs. 22,23,24 Week 10: Chs. 25,26 Week 11: Chs. 27,28 Week 12: Chs. 29, 30 including epilogue