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A Man's Reach Elmer L. Andersen |
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$57.00 Cloth |
The beloved former governor's personal story of a life in service and of triumph over adversity. “Andersen’s story is the Horatio Alger myth made real, but his life is about much more than money and politics. He believes in public service, in democracy, and in striving to meet the needs of all citizens, especially those in the worst circumstances. Andersen’s strong faith and values resonate from the first page of this autobiography. His writing is honest, personable, straightforward, portraying both the personal rigor and thoughtfulness of his business and newspaper careers.” —St. Paul Pioneer Press “Andersen and his skillful editor Sturdevant have produced a book that refreshes the spirit by reminding us of the possibilities of a life devoted to the service of others. This delightful memoir will rejuvenate the faith of all who believe in the value of honesty and the power of perseverance harnessed to a noble cause.” —Minnesota History "A Man's Reach is a book that warms the heart and should inspire any reader to be a better person. It's also the detailed account of the life of a very successful businessman, politician, and most important, a great humanitarian. . . . It's simply but forcefully told, it's shrewd, and it's quietly humorous and warm." —Dave Wood's Book Report Elmer L. Andersen has been described as Minnesota's leading citizen. A leader in many fields, he built a small adhesives company, H. B. Fuller Company, into a world leader, and created a publishing empire from one weekly newspaper. As a Minnesota state senator, he pioneered progressive legislative measures in the areas of civil rights, special education and welfare, mental health care, and metropolitan governance. His years as Minnesota's governor in the early 1960s were marked by his role in the founding of Southwest State University and several state parks; the latter, in addition to the important part he later played in the creation of Voyageurs National Park, gained him a reputation as one of the region's leading environmentalists. In A Man's Reach, Governor Andersen recounts his years of service with a keen truthfulness, but also with the generous spirit that has guided his life and career. For the first time he tells the story of his 1962 political defeat as he ran for his second term as governor in a contentious race followed by a four-month-long vote recount, one of the most memorable and heartbreaking elections in Minnesota's history. Here, also, is a true insider's account of President Kennedy's masterful handling of the Cuban Missile Crisis, the story of how Charles Lindbergh taught him to fly, as well as candid recollections of fellow Republicans Dwight D. Eisenhower, Richard Nixon, Nelson Rockefeller, and Harold Stassen, and political rival Hubert Humphrey. Now in his ninety-first year, the former governor continues to inspire through this story of a man who was an impoverished teenage orphan but became one of the leading lights in business, politics, and public service in his state. Told with humor and humility, A Man's Reach is sure to encourage anyone who ever wondered if one person can make a difference. Governor Elmer L. Andersen is one of Minnesota's leading political, business, and cultural figures. He lives in Arden Hills, Minnesota. Lori Sturdevant is an editorial writer for the Minneapolis Star Tribune. 488 pages | 59 black-and-white photos | 5-7/8 x 9 | 2000 (cloth), 2004 (paper) |
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$18.95 Paper