Senator Byrd presents his autobiography, beginning with his adoption by family members after his mother's death and telling of growing up in a mining town in West Virginia and during the Depression, and the beginnings of his democratic political career in 1947. He recounts how he served in Congress (from 1953) while simultaneously completing his law degree and talks about his travels around the world, legislation with which he was involved, experiences as majority leader, and his work with presidents from Truman to Kennedy, Nixon to Reagan, and Carter, Clinton and Bush. Annotation ©2006 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)
This autobiography follows United States Senator Robert C. Byrds experiences from his boyhood in the early 1920s to his election in 2000, which won him an unprecedented eighth term in the Senate. Along the way, Senator Byrd offers commentary on national and international events that occurred throughout his long life in public service. Senator Byrds journey from the hardscrabble coalfields to the marbled halls of Congress has inspired generations of people in West Virginia and throughout the nation. From reading the stories of the Founding Fathers as a young boy by the light of a kerosene lamp to the swearing of an oath for more than a half-century to guard the United States Constitution, Senator Byrds life is legendary. Byrd always stands by his principles, earning the affection of the people of his home state and the respect of Americans from all walks of life. With his beloved Erma ever by his side, Robert C. Byrd has never forgotten his roots, harkening back to those early lessons that he learned as a child of the Appalachian coalfields.
The West Virginia University Press is proud to present United States Senator Robert C. Byrds autobiography, Child of the Appalachian Coalfields. The book follows Senator Byrds experiences from his boyhood in the early 1920s to his election in 2000, which won him an unprecedented eighth term in the U.S. Senate. Along the way, Senator Byrd offers commentary on national and international events that occurred throughout his long life in public service. Senator Byrds journey from the hard-scrabble coalfields to the marbled halls of Congress has inspired generations of people in West Virginia and throughout the nation. From reading the stories of the Founding Fathers as a young boy by the light of a kerosene lamp to the swearing of an oath for more than a half century to guard the United States Constitution, Senator Byrds life is legendary. Byrd always stands by his principles, earning the affection of the people of his home state and the respect of Americans from all walks of life. With his beloved Erma ever by his side, Robert C. Byrd has never forgotten his roots, harkening back to those early lessons that he learned as a Child of the Appalachian Coalfields.
