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Title: Defying the Odds: An Independent Senator's Historic Campaign by Harry F. Byrd ISBN: 0-9666870-0-0 Publisher: Howell Press Inc. Pub. Date: 07 November, 1998 Format: Hardcover Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $15.95

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Average Customer Rating: 4 (2 reviews)

Rating: 3
Summary: An inspiring little book
Comment: Harry Flood Byrd, Jr. Unless you're a citizen of Virginia or a follower of political trivia, that's not a name that sounds terribly distinguished or familiar. However, in 1970, Harry Flood Byrd, Jr. was -- much like James Jeffords thirty-one years later -- briefly at the center of the national awareness when he made history by leaving his longtime patrons (Virginia's then all-powerful Democratic Party, which had been practically created by Byrd's namesake and father) and winning reelection to the U.S. Senate as an Independent and serving two more terms before retiring in 1982. Defying the Odds is Byrd's own account of both the conflicts that caused him to leave the Democratic Party and the subsequent campaign where he truly did the defy the odds by winning a clear majority of the votes over both a Republican and a Democratic candidate. Seen as something of an interesting oddity in its day, Byrd's victory is all the more relavent today as more and more American voters express a dissatisfaction with the current two party system and third parties continue to struggle to find a meaningful voice in modern politics.

Byrd's brief book is a likeable account and its hard not to respect the former Senator while reading it. At no point does he descend into petty backbiting or the type of self-righteous rhetoric that all-too often seems to distinguish modern day political memoirs. Instead, Byrd truly does come across as a member of that rare and disappearing breed -- the true Southern gentleman who treats everyone -- even those he might disagree with politically -- with proper respect (such a contrast to the politics we've all grown to know!). As well, Byrd explains his reasoning and beliefs in a clear, concise tone that leaves no doubt to his true reasons for leaving his party. Nor does his minimize the political risks in his decision. While Byrd may superficially resemble Jeffords, the differences become rather clear and illuminating while reading Byrd's book. Unlike Jeffords, Byrd was basically leaving the majority party of the U.S. Senate and turning against the political establishment of his state. (As opposed to Jeffords who pretty much was the only Republican in Vermont -- a state that, unlike Byrd's Virginia, also had a clear history of electing and reelecting independents).

Reading this book, its hard not to respect Harry Flood Byrd, Jr. Which doesn't make this a perfect book. There is something truly admirable about the fact that Byrd has clearly decided not to use a ghost writer to express his beliefs and his story. At the same time, Byrd is somewhat of a dry writer and there are many times when one wishes he'd go into a bit more detail. However, for political completists, this is a valuable personal record of an apparently rather modest man who managed to make political history.

Rating: 5
Summary: Splendid and to the point history by the man who made it.
Comment: A crisp, clear account of the former Senator's historic 1970 Senate race when he put principle ahead of expediency, and left the party of his fathers, because the party had left its principles, to run as an independent for the U.S. Senate from his native Virginia. Byrd enunciates his reasons and recounts the features of his campaign; a campaign in which he solidly out-polled the combined votes of the Democratic and Republican candidates. In a current Chapter, Byrd reviewing the current loss of political direction in Washington--including the manifest difference between Newt Gingrich's brand of Republicanism in 1994 and his lost way in 1998-- goes on to describe the circumstances, which might make it possible for an independent to be elected President in the near future. Those who are disastified with what is going on in Washington should consider this a must read!