"The greatest danger facing America today is hate--unreasoning hate seeking targets to attack, someone or something to hurt. . . . I believe hate is free society's mortal menace. . . . This growing decibel level of hatemongering and negativity threatens democracy in four ways. It pollutes the atmosphere with self-destructive anger, it undermines faith in the system, it obscures any serious discussion of issues, and it keeps many good and decent people out of politics."
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A former speaker of the House reflects nostalgically on 34 years in Congress and the gentleman's era of log-rolling. This is a dignified memoir of a career brought short by an ugly tarnish: After surviving the Depression, World War II and nine presidents, Wright fell to accusations that he improperly accepted gifts from a business associate. Here, the Texas Democrat delivers his Checkers speech, asking to be remembered for what he gave, not for what he got.
