Willie Brown
Subtitle: a biography
By: James Richardson.
Publisher: University of California Press
Published: 1996
Place of publication: Berkeley
Language: eng
Number of pages: 509
Subjects: Brown, Willie L.; California. Legislature. Assembly -- Speakers -- Biography.; Legislators -- California -- Biography.; African American legislators -- California -- Biography.; California -- Politics and government -- 1951-
Description: This is the first comprehensive biography of Willie Brown, one of California's most enduring and controversial politicians. He has been an important leader in national political circles for more than two decades, perhaps the only African American elected official whose power transcends race.

James Richardson takes us from Brown's childhood, to his years as Speaker of the California State Assembly, to his election as San Francisco's mayor. Along the way we get a riveting, behind-the-scenes account of three decades of California politics. With brilliant portraits of key figures like Jesse Unruh, Phillip and John Burton, Maxine Waters, and Leo McCarthy, Richardson shows us how Brown kept progressive politics alive in California even during Republican governorships.
Notes: Includes bibliographical references (p. 485-492) and index.