Basic Brown: My Life and Our Times

Basic Brown: My Life and Our Times Features

Additional Basic Brown: My Life and Our Times Information

Ronald Reagan's secretary of state George Shultz called this famously liberal politician "a man of his word" and endorsed his successful candidacy for mayor of San Francisco.

Indeed Ronald Reagan and Bill Clinton both called upon him for advice and help. He is Willie L. Brown, Jr., and he knows how to get things done in politics, how to work both sides of the aisle to get results. Compared to him, Machiavelli looks meek. And drab.

In Basic Brown, this product of rural, segregated Texas and the urban black neighborhoods of San Francisco tells how he rose through the civil rights movement to become the most potent black politician in America through his shrewd understanding and use of political power and political money. He adapts the lessons he has learned so they can be used by anyone -- black, female, male -- intent on acquiring political power.

And this master of the political deal demonstrates why deals are not enough, and that political power grows only when public good is being done. Willie Brown shows how some of the most far-reaching and socially advanced legislation in American history -- like gun control, legalized abortion, gay rights, and school funding -- was carried out under his guidance and on his watch, and tells of the ingenuity, the political machinations, and the personal perseverance that were required to enact what now seems to many to be obvious legislation. These are stories of breathtaking, sometimes hilarious ruses and gambits that show that even the most high-minded legislation needs the assistance of the skills of a shark, which is what Willie Brown often sees himself as.

Basic Brown is a compendium of insights and stories on the real forces governing power in American political life that will leave you looking at politics anew. It is also the inspiring and funny story of the rise of a gawky teenager in mail-order shoes and trousers who rose to entertain royalty and schoolchildren, superstars and supersize egos, the saintly and the scholarly, while working to transform and open American politics. If you ever wanted to learn how to be slick, a shark, a do-gooder, and a man of your word, Willie L. Brown, Jr., is the storyteller for you.

What Customers Say About Basic Brown: My Life and Our Times:

Ultimately I would have wished for a deeper book, but the anecdotes and insights were worth the read. An admiring journalist takes whatever dictation Brown wants to give. Expect the range of Brown's life and insight into his tactics and campaigns, just don't expect any difficult questions answered or information Brown doesn't want you to have.

Jimmy Hoffa would be proud of the union self interest spewed by the DNC. It was just as the other book by Richardson in 1996; a liberal mecca for the left-wing.It was a good book with the same political,intrigue,corruption, greed, and political infighting.

Brown lost his first state legislative election in 1962 by 900 votes out of 31,000 votes cast. Brown eliminated another political opponent, Howard Berman, by redistricting a Congressional district that successfully enticed him to leave for Congress. By standing in alphabetical order at Air Force ROTC brought Brown standing next to, and befriending, John Burton. To be effective, one also needs to be reliable. As Mayor, he is proud of the work he accomplished for homeless and for extending mass transit.

He would then decide which where funds should be spent on which key races. They will better appreciate you then if you appreciate them now. Brown studied and learned the details of every bill facing the Assembly. Brown has a strong knowledge of politics. He recommends acting in professional life as if the other person is wearing a wireBrown continued Unruh's system where political contributions went to the lead person in a caucus, which then was him when he was Speaker. Willie Brown notes he raised $100 million in political contributions which he believes is the most any person ever raised in state politics. Brown continued serving his San Francisco constituents despite his reduced powers. Willie Brown admittedly is a colorful politician.

He even got Governor Ronald Reagan to sign some of the country's most liberal legislation, including one that decriminalized abortion.Brown's advice to people interested in politics is to get as inside the system as possible to be effective. One of his political adages was "old age and treachery will always outdo youth and skill." He claims he still speaks with Governor Schwarzenegger once a week, even though they are of different political parties. He earned a footnote in history by being the last person to meet with Mayor George Moscone before Moscone's murder by Dan White.Brown dealt with Republican members by giving Republicans five committee chairmanships in return for votes in returning as Speaker. This is the autobiography of Willie Brown, who spent 14 years as a powerful Speaker of the California House of Representatives. That way no other member could be criticized for possible conflicts of interests due to contributions. As Willie Brown puts it, "I would still be Speaker today were it not for term limits, a destructive idea introduced by the mean-spirited wretches from Southern California who sought to deprive the people of San Francisco the right to reelect me as their Assemblyman." In a further irony, the "Gang of Five" state legislators who successfully fought to implement term limits included Gary Condit, who would be elected to Congress only to lose reelection over the scandal involving the an affair with his intern and Jerry Eaves who would later be convicted for taking bribes.A chance meeting made the difference in Brown's political life. Ironically, he would vote against Jess Unruh, his future ally, for Speaker.

The implementation of legislative term limits would force him to leave office for the lesser important office of Mayor of San Francisco. He allocated according to helping Democrats keep the majority and not according to political favoritism. Representative, was the brother of Phil Burton, a powerful San Francisco politician. Phil helped Willie Brown run for office. He notes he has never been accused of doing anything dishonest in his fundraising. In politics, one may need to work in the future those defeated now.

While the last sentence was mostly facetious, it is interesting to note that many would rather have a long term career being a legislative leader over being a big city Mayor. Brown believes term limits are a mistake as members don't have the time to learn the duties of serving in leadership. McCarthy took all power away from Brown and assigned him a small office which could not fit chairs for visitors, requiring them to sit in the hall.Brown believes McCarthy surrounded himself with dishonest and unskilled people and was a poor Speaker. Brown advises to be respectful in victory and to allow the defeated their dignities. Further, he often voted and worked against the interests of contributors. It should also be noted that, back then, legislative campaigns were far less costly than today and often relied more upon individual campaigning within districts.Brown had to leave the legislature due to the enactment of term limits. McCarthy gave the Rules Committee Chairmanship to a key Brown ally, who was also Brown's roommate, who switched sides to assist McCarthy's race.

He jokes that the 1989 earthquake literally shook up City Hall, as $500,000 of damage occurred to the building. He further advises to never put up with corruption and to uphold the image of your institution.Speakers Unruh and Bob Moretti became impressed with Brown's knowledge and use of parliamentary procedure and of legislation. Brown left the legislature and was elected Mayor of San Francisco. Burton, himself later a U.S. Brown writes he learned from Jess Unruh that a contribution buys nothing and there should never be a situation where a contributor should expect a quid pro quo for the donation. In 1974, when Speaker Moretti ran for Governor, Brown ran for Speaker and was the presumptive heir apparent to the Speakership only to lose by one vote to Leo McCarthy. Brown kept campaigning and was elected in 1964.

People who can't be trusted won't go far.

He is truely a great man. Willie is so incredibly witty, classy and intelligent. This book is so fun and amazingly difficult to put down. I am only marginally interested in his politics, but this book is really a great read for anyone. Willie Brown has had such a fascinating life that anyone could appreciate this candid biography of one of the great "movers and shakers" of our time.

We love discussing, laughing about and learning so much from Basic Brown. My close friends share my views on the book. May Willie Brown stay on the job for a long, long time to come. I always thought that Willie Brown was amazing, but Basic Brown shows that he is far more amazing than I could have imagined.I love the book. I originally borrowed it from the public library, but now I must have my own copy.