American Prophet : The Life and Work of Carey McWilliams

A long-overdue book on the brilliant life and career of one of our greatest public intellectuals, American Prophet will introduce Carey McWilliams to a new generation of readers. Peter Richardson's absorbing and elegantly paced book reveals a figure thoroughly engaged with the issues of his time. Deftly interweaving correspondence, diary notes, published writings, and McWilliams's own and others' observations on a colorful and influential cast of characters from Hollywood, New York, Washington, DC, and the American West, Richardson maps the evolution of McWilliams's personal and professional life. Among those making an appearance are H. L. Mencken (McWilliams's mentor and role model), Louis Adamic, John Fante, Robert Towne, Richard Nixon, Studs Terkel, J. Edgar Hoover, Arthur Schlesinger, Jr., and Joseph McCarthy. American Prophet illustrates the arc of McWilliams's life and career from his early literary journalism through his legal and political activism, his stint in state government, and his two decades as editor of the Nation . This book makes the case for McWilliams's place in the Olympian realm of our most influential and prescient political writers. Peter Richardson is the editorial director at PoliPointPress in Sausalito, California. He is the author or editor of numerous works on language, literature, and California public policy. He holds a Ph.D. in English from the University of California Berkeley. A long-overdue book on the brilliant life and career of one of our greatest public intellectuals, American Prophet will introduce Carey McWilliams to a new generation of readers. Peter Richardson's absorbing and elegantly paced book reveals a figure thoroughly engaged with the issues of his time. Deftly interweaving correspondence, diary notes, published writings, and McWilliams's own and others' observations on a colorful and influential cast of characters from Hollywood, New York, Washington, DC, and the American West, Richardson maps the evolution of McWilliams's personal and professional life. Among those making an appearance are H.L. Mencken (McWilliams's mentor and role model), Louis Adamic, John Fante, Robert Towne, Richard Nixon, Studs Terkel, J. Edgar Hoover, Arthur Schlesinger, Jr., and Joseph McCarthy. American Prophet illustrates the arc of McWilliams's life and career from his early literary journalism through his legal and political activism, his stint in state government, and his two decades as editor of the Nation. This book makes the case for McWilliams's place in the Olympian realm of our most influential and prescient political writers. Peter Richardson is the editorial director at PoliPointPress in Sausalito, California. He is the author or editor of numerous works on language, literature, and California public policy. He holds a Ph. D. in English from the University of California Berkeley American Prophet Is The Biography On The Brilliant Life And Career Of A Great American Thinker And Writer - Carey Mcwilliams. Mcwilliams's Life Story Reveals A Figure Thoroughly Engaged With The Issues Of His Time. Author Peter Richardson Interweaves Correspondence, Diary Notes, Published Writings, And Mcwilliams's Own And Others' Observations On A Colorful And Influential Cast Of Characters From Hollywood, New York, Washington, D.c., And The American West. Among Those Making An Appearance Are Louis Adamic, John Fante, J. Edgar Hoover, Joseph Mccarthy, H.l. Mencken (mcwilliams's Mentor And Role Model), Richard Nixon, Arthur Schlesinger Jr., Studs Terkel, Hunter S. Thompson, Robert Towne, And More. American Prophet Illustrates The Arc Of Mcwilliams's Life From His Early Literary Journalism Through His Legal And Political Activism, His Stint In State Government, And His Two Decades As Editor Of The Nation. Not Only Will This Book Introduce Mcwilliams To A New Generation Of Readers, It Will Also Assure His Place As One Of Our Most Influential And Prescient Progressive Political Writers.--jacket. Colorado -- Infinite Revolt -- The Political Turn -- Public Service -- The Great Exception -- The Vile Decade -- The Age Of Nixon -- Moving On. Peter Richardson. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 309-324) And Index. "Historian Kevin Starr described Carey McWilliams as 'the finest nonfiction writer on California--ever' and 'the state's most astute political observer.' But as Peter Richardson argues, McWilliams was also one of the nation's most versatile and productive public intellectuals of his time. Richardson's absorbing and elegant biography traces McWilliams's extraordinary life and career. Drawing from a wide range of sources, it explores his childhood on a Colorado cattle ranch, his early literary journalism in Los Angeles, his remarkable legal and political activism, his stint in state government, the explosion of first-rate books between 1939 and 1950, and his editorial leadership at The Nation. Along the way, it also documents McWilliams's influence on a wide range of key figures, including Cesar Chavez, Hunter S. Thompson, Mike Davis, screenwriter Robert Towne, playwright Luis Valdez, and historian Patricia Limerick."-- Publisher's website illustrates the arc of McWilliams's life and career, from his early writing through his law, business, and political careers in the 30s, 40s, and 50s, to his two decades as editor of the Nation. This book makes the case for McWilliams's place in the Olympian realm of our most influential and prescient political writers.