Jake

"My life has been given special purpose," Jake Pickle says. "Some men live to make money, drink, chase women, collect art, excel at a sport, or pursue other things that give them pleasure. The thing I got hooked on was helping people. And I've had the privilege of helping people by the thousands. Serving in Congress was the greatest honor of my life." In this book, Jake Pickle tells the story of a lifetime in public service, including thirty-one years as Representative for Texas' Tenth Congressional District. Jake tells his story by telling stories-most of them humorous, some poignant-that add up to a warmly personal account of his life and career. At the heart of the book are Jake's stories of political life in Washington, Austin, and on the campaign trail. These range from hilarious accounts of all that can and does happen at small-town Texas parades and rallies to clear, no-baloney explanations of some of the major legislation that Jake helped to pass. His stories about Social Security reform, tax-exempt organizations, and pension fund reform legislation make these complex topics easy to understand. This book was written as a collaboration between Jake and his daughter, Peggy Pickle. It offers the fun of listening to a born raconteur spin his tales, while it reveals the ethics and integrity of a man who never forgot that the people elected him to serve them.

Table of Contents:
Foreword by Ann Richards Acknowledgments Introduction by Peggy Pickle Part One. Beginnings 1. West Texas Roots 2. Uncle Gus and Uncle Arthur 3. Little Campus Part Two. On My Own 4. My First Meeting with LBJ 5. Handsome Harry 6. The Navy Years 7. The KVET Boys 8. Dollars for Democrats 9. Steamboats up the Colorado 10. Bob Keckler's Cow Part Three. The Washington Years 11. My First Twenty-four Hours in Congress 12. The Closer You Get 13. The Civil Rights Act 14. The White Shark 15. Pop Goes to Washington 16. My First Embassy Party 17. Bless Their Hearts 18. (Don't) Smoke, Smoke, Smoke That Cigarette 19. Listening for the Bell 20. The Ladies Excluded 21. Confessions of a Rattlesnake Chili Champ 22. Tax Exempts: Charities or Tax Dodges? 23. How Big Business Threatens Our Nation's Pension Funds 24. Congressional Prayer Breakfasts 25. Preserving Social Security 26. Who Are You? Part Four. The Campaign Trail 27."G" as in Jesus 28. What's James Buchanan Ever Done for You? 29. Love, Bess 30. The First Time I Met Jean 31. Ticket, Please 32. On the Road with Fleetwood 33. Beryl Takes the Wheel Part Five. A Lifetime of Friends 34. Judge Critz's Story 35. "Governor" Pickle 36. Dan's Debut 37. The 88th Club 38. Good-bye to LBJ and Big John 39. Family Talent Epilogue Index

About the Author :
Jake Pickle served in the United States House of Representatives from December 1963 until January 1995. He lived in Austin and remained involved in local and national events until his death. Peggy Pickle is a freelance writer whose work has appeared in many magazines and newspapers.

Review :
"Pickle's folksy vocabulary, his West Texas lilt, his wit and self-deprecating humor echo throughout the book. Each story stands alone, a good, entertaining read. But together, they tell the story of an old-fashioned politician, of Democratic politics in Texas, of conflicts, friendships and personalities, including the likes of Lyndon B. Johnson and John Connally... Jake contains the stories Pickle loves to tell. It's a delightful personal, political chronicle rather than the more traditional political autobiography." Austin American-Statesman "A heckuva storyteller, Jake Pickle turns this book into a front porch on a lazy summer evening, and puts his reader right beside him. Rich in anecdotes from West Texas to Washington and back again, Jake will introduce you to dozens of colorful characters, several of whom happen to be this country's top leaders. Jake is that great rarity: a political memoir that's really memorable." Dan Rather "Jake Pickle's book is the kind of book Mark Twain would have written had he served in Congress. It is funny, partly sad, revelatory, and most of all so cheerfully readable. It may be the best book written thus far about the life of a Congressman." Jack Valenti "Who else in our nation has had the political experience of Jake Pickle? Jake has been a personal friend of mine for many years; and over this period of time, I have been thoroughly entertained with his stories. Now that Jake has put them down in written form, everyone will be treated to stories about his illustrious political career." Darrell Royal