Donald A. Ritchie

Interesting quasi-biography, quasi-analysis of the longtime Washington columnist and muckraker, which dives into how Pearson (and his assistants/colleagues) produced his column, and how he managed the many controversies he was involved in. Also interesting is how Pearson used his position to push his own political views.

5526. Electing FDR The New Deal Campaign of 1932, by Donald A. Ritchie (read 14 Jan 2018) This book by the Historian of the United States Senate, was published in 2007 and while the main focus is on what happened in 1932 it covers events leading up to that election year and also events since then. It is carefully done and is full of fascinating details. It does pretty convincingly indicate that if FDR had not won the needed two-thirds vote on the fourth ballot at the 1932 Democratic show more Convention he might not have been nominated, though in hindsight it is hard to see who could have beaten him since he had a healthy majority of the delegate vote on the third ballot. The book shows that Hoover came to realize that he would not be re-elected as the election date drew near but he never realized how badly he would lose. The book is a great read and I enjoyed it thoroughly. . show less

Excellent combination of practical advice (e.g. no tape has a third side) and defense of oral history as a scholarly pursuit. One chapter talked about publication of oral histories and the reviews they elicit — reviewers disliked verbatim transcripts and instead wanted the oral histories examined, treated in the same fashion as other evidence, and used in the advancement of a theory or narrative. Other chapters touched on ethical concerns, methodologies of other disciplines (e.g. folklore show more or anthropology), how to get reluctant sources to talk openly, and when to cut and run. show less

Some good advice here, clearly based on a wealth of experience. Organisation seemed slightly confusing and some sections are dated wrt. technology for recording etc.