Trailblazer - by Chuck McFadden (Hardcover)

Book Synopsis

In this first biography of Edmund Gerald Brown Jr. in more than thirty years, Chuck McFadden explores the unique persona of one of the most idiosyncratic politicians in California history. Son of California political royalty who forged his own political style against the tumultuous backdrop of a huge, balkanized state-and shoved to and fro by complex currents-Jerry Brown plumbed his visionary impulses as well as his grandiose ambitions. McFadden traces Brown's childhood in San Francisco, his time studying for the priesthood, his unusual political career, and his romances-including a long-term relationship with singer Linda Ronstadt. He describes Brown's first two terms as governor advocating for farm workers, women and minorities, his time roaming the world in a spiritual quest, and his return to the gritty world of politics as chairman of the California Democratic Party and then mayor of Oakland. Political experts weigh in with thoughts about the remarkable 2010 campaign that saw the 72-year-old Brown winning his third term in office while being vastly outspent by Republican Meg Whitman. Concise, insightful, and enlivened by the events and personalities that colored the history of California, Trailblazer provides an intimate portrait of the pugnacious, adept politician who has bucked national trends to become a leader of one of the largest economies in the world.

From the Back Cover

"While the details of the governor's life and career are well known, this book is an invaluable addition to what has been written about him. McFadden's account of his lifelong intellectual and spiritual growth is detailed and perceptive. As the author points out, this combination of the intellectual, spiritual and political has shaped Brown's life and explains the contradictions that have long intrigued America."--Bill Boyarsky, author of Ronald Reagan, His Life and Rise to the Presidency

"A thoughtful and enlightening contribution to the literature on one of California's "most idiosyncratic politicians," this book perceptively analyzes the tensions between the spiritual and the pragmatic that have shaped Jerry Brown's approach to, and philosophy of, governance and politics. McFadden vibrantly and accurately portrays the parallel evolution of California's "new/old governor" and the political system which defines him and which he helped define."--Sherry Bebitch Jeffe, Ph.D., Senior Fellow, Sol Price School of Public Policy

"If you still wonder if Jerry Brown was born on another planet, Chuck McFadden will set you straight, firmly grounding this political enigma in California's peculiar, 20th century realities."--Joe Mathews, California editor, Zócalo Public Square

"What makes Jerry run? Trailblazer offers a new generation of Californians a fresh and up-to-date look at the many lives, campaigns, and contradictions of their once-was and now-again governor, Jerry Brown--reckless and cautious, spiritual and pragmatic, reformer and status-quo stalwart--in all their chameleon glory."--Mark Paul, co-author, California Crackup: How Reform Broke the Golden State and How We Can Fix It

Review Quotes

"This examination of the qualities behind Brown's longevity . . . is valuable reading for Californians and non-Californians as the nation finds itself a prisoner of conventional politics, stale thinking and tedious political rhetoric."--Bill Boyarsky "Truthdig" (5/15/2013 12:00:00 AM)

"While McFadden's 180 pages would need to be tripled in length to cover Brown's long career, I have read two other Brown bios and Trailblazer is now the best work available."--Randy Shaw "BeyondChron" (7/11/2013 12:00:00 AM)

"An insightful look at a paradoxical political figure in the nation's most populous and politically influential state."-- "Booklist" (5/1/2013 12:00:00 AM)

"As thoughtful and concise an assessment of this enigma [Jerry Brown] as we're likely to get for a long time."--Peter Schrag "Sacramento Bee" (3/18/2013 12:00:00 AM)

About the Author

Chuck McFadden is a veteran AP reporter who covered California politics in Sacramento for many years. He was also assistant to former CA State Superintendent of Public Instruction Wilson Riles.