Would you like to own this book? You can win it if you are subscribed by email to williamstewart.org. Each time I write a review of a book, I will have a random drawing from my email subscription list soon after. One lucky person will get the book absolutely free. I even pay for shipping.
This brand new book is special: it is autographed by Brad Crouser and Arch Moore.
If you are not subscribed yet, do so now. The drawing for this book will be held Friday, 4 August 2006.
Ever since I sat across a rickety lunch table in Charleston and heard Brad Crouser tell stories from the Arch Moore years, I have looked forward to his book on West Virginia’s most colorful politician. That was over a year ago. Today “Arch: the Life of Governor Arch Moore, Jr.” is available to everyone.
Arch is fascinating. He was wounded in World War II (page 28), beat Jay Rockefeller for Governor by over 70,000 votes (page 342), stood in the middle of a mob of rioting inmates and dispelled them (page 356), and elected governor 3 times (page 464).
Even though Arch Moore is physically gone from the capitol, it is evident his spirit is not. Arch was a character and everyone who worked in the capitol during his tenure has a story or two.
Brad recounts my favorite on page 360:
“Now he proposed a science and cultural center to be built during his second term, prompting critics to say he had developed an ‘edifice complex.’
“The ‘edifice,’ which would cost $14 million and be finished toward the end of his second term, brought controversy and criticism… Throughout the years of building the Cultural Center, the capitol press, especially the Gazette, howled continuously about its construction for that reason. The same papers that later would write nothing negative about the hundreds of millions of tax dollars spent on opulent palaces named after Robert C. Byrd, accused Moore of building a monument to himself.
“As he would do on other occasions, Moore toyed with his critics, while giving a humorous nod to his own reputed big ego. The inscription, etched in large gold letters on the facade of the building, would include the words: ‘ARCHIVES – HISTORY – LIBRARY – MUSEUM – THEATER.’ For fun, the Governor had the workers carve only the first four letters ‘ARCH’ and left it at that for a few days.
“‘The opposition was frantic,’ he laughed, recalling the prank. ‘They were certain that I was going to name it ‘Arch Moore Complex.’ When a state senator saw ‘ARCH,’ he raced onto the senate floor while they were in session. I think Bill Brotherton was at the podium. ‘He’s named the Cultural Center after himself!’ this guy shouted. I think they adjourned to go see for themselves.’”
Of course, we all know Arch’s storied career had a blemish. Brad Crouser covers it in explicit detail (page 592), pulling no punches.
In spite of being 704 pages, it is a compelling read that gives enough detail to be interesting, but stops short of bogging down with too much information.
After reading this book my only regret is that I never had the chance to see Arch Moore in action. “Arch: The Life of Governor Arch A. Moore, Jr.” is the next best thing.
But it online at Amazon, Woodland Press, or in Charleston, WV, at Taylor Books.
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Comments
I have to agree that Arch is a must-read for anyone with any interest whatsoever in West Virginia government or politics. Also being a younger West Virginian, I was not around to see Governor Moore in action.
History will record that while Governor Moore was certainly a flawed man, his accomplishments in office–especially in his first two terms–transformed our state for the better. No administration before or since has rivaled Governor Moore’s record of accomplishment–a record of literally moving mountains.
West Virginia should be truly grateful to Commissioner Crouser for his work. As he indicated, the passage of time, the loss of memories, and the deaths of key members of the Moore team would have soon rendered this book impossible.
I wasn’t around when he was in action, but I did get to meet him on the campaign trail in 2000. I found him to be a very funny guy.
You happened to forget his conviction for taking bribes. You mention a blemish. assuming that is referring to the disgraceful act of taking bribes? I am afraid being corrupt is a little more than a blemish in public service, it is the ultimate undermining of your credibility to serve the public in all honesty and trustworthiness. I suppose we should all read this book to truly understand how not to serve our state and completely undermine the faith people have in our elected representatives. I hope that Arch Moore’s “spirit” in the Capitol will kindly remove itself. His name should only provide us a mere example of what can be wrong with politics and why citizens should involve themselves in public.
It never ceases to amaze me how something as innocuous as a book review can be criticized. “Blemish” is the word I chose and it’s the word I stand by: “An imperfection that mars or impairs; a flaw or defect.”
Arch Moore’s career was a good one where he did many good things for this state. That fine record was marred by a bribery scandal. Hence, use of the word “blemish.”
Amos, if you are a reader of West Virginia history you will agree with me that the only difference between Arch and his Democrat counterparts is that he was caught.
While I do not condone the corruption, I am broad minded enough to accept the good that was done and not throw out the proverbial baby with the bath-water.
I was a college student when Arch Moore was Congressman and ran for Governor the first time. My college was in the fist district so I met Arch Moore several times. He was always kind to me and interested in my interest in our state and service in government. While his fall from grace was painful to me, who among us is without fault?
I remember well Arch Moore including me, a young college student in a “stratedgy session” in Wellsburg, WV when his team unvieled the radio tape “Arch Moore is Marching Throught the State of West Virginia”. He treated me as if I was an important part of his decision, asking my opinion etc. I will never forget his caring and his charismatic grace.
Arch Moore is a good man and I look forward to reading this work about him and our state.
The book goes into details on the good and the bad. It points out for example, that at one point, Moore’s campaign knew that if they did not go along with the system (of corrupt practices like vote buying in the coalfields) that Rockefellers campaign would defacto win, because they would get them.
It also gives fascinating detail about the corruption (that allready existed, even when Moore was a small kid in Moundsville) that existed in WV politics and how it works from the local level and slates on up….
It also shows Robert C. Byrd in an accurate light. Somebody who complained about others taking credit until he figured out how to do it too.
I was a on two of governor Moore’s campaign staffs; 1980 & 1985.
I was a member of his capitol staff in office, 1985. I was a member of his inaugural committee in 1985.
As one of 9 field people in 1980, I no doubt could have added to this publication. In 1985, I helped with the media & Charles Ryan.
It was an honor to serve with him, he was far and away, another level of politician, than we have had since, and we have had some fine people since…
My family has been in Repulican Politics for over 150 years. My Aunt; Lenna Lowe Yost was the Vice-Chairman of the National Republican Party. She holds no less than 10 firsts in politics for women. Her portrait hangs in E.Moore Hall at WVU, she was almost totally responsible for the building.
Arch knew her when she was retired in Washington as a lobbyist. Her husband was the first FCC Commissioner and a U.S. Attorney.
I am sure I could add alot to the book, but I was not asked…the 1980 campaign was a real experience..
Again, it was an honor to serve on his staff, and I would do it again.
I appreicate the chance to speak about the former governor
James C. Kline III