Barbara Jordan: American Hero

Tracing Jordan's upbringing in Houston's Fifth Ward as the daughter of a Baptist minister, Rogers takes us through her battles with sexism and racism (including black Americans' internal color-based caste system). She also peels away the mysteries of her personality, which was described as "stubborn," "cold," and "sarcastic," the result of emotional shields forged by too many social and psychic wars. But those traits also accounted for her determination to deal with her multiple sclerosis with courage and dignity. "Barbara Jordan's story reflects both the America dream and a fundamental human hope for a sense of community," Rogers writes. "If we understand her lessons, then we will know that the making of an American hero is a rare--and wondrous--event." --Eugene Holley Jr.

Product Description
The first African American to serve in the Texas Senate since Reconstruction, Barbara Jordan was also the first black woman elected to Congress from the South, and the first to deliver the keynote address at a national party convention. Her powerful oratory stirred a nation; her ideals of ethical leadership inspired millions. Yet Jordan herself remained a mystery, a woman so private that even her close friends did not know the name of the illness that debilitated her for two decades until it struck her down at the age of fifty-nine.

Mary Beth Rogers first met Barbara Jordan in the 1960s, and their paths crossed over the years as they pursued their academic and political careers. Now Rogers's meticulously documented biography deftly combines personal insight and impeccable research to explore the forces that shaped the moral character and quiet dignity of this extraordinary woman.

Examining Jordan's stark childhood as the daughter of a Baptist preacher in sharply segregated Houston, Rogers reveals the seeds of her trademark stoicism and recaptures the essence of a black woman entering politics as the civil rights movement exploded across the nation. Jordan's political career went on to be both groundbreaking and inspiring.

Combining elegance and passion, Barbara riveted the nation with her forceful defense of the United States Constitution during the Watergate hearings. She held an unwavering faith in the American people, heralding patriotism, justice, and compassion. And it seemed this rising political star would shine brightly well into the next century. Instead, Barbara Jordan gave up public life before her forty-fifth birthday amid rumors of a mysterious illness.

Jordan kept her private life and her personal struggles well-guarded secrets, shielding them right up until she died. Now, with cooperation from the Jordan estate, this illuminating portrayal gives new depth to our understanding of one of the most influential women of our time, a woman whose powerful convictions and flair for oratorical drama changed the political landscape of America's twentieth century.

Filled with rich insight and detail, Barbara Jordan: American Hero provides a much-needed contribution to our sense of Jordan's esteemed place in our nation's history--and in our hearts.

Lots of what she experienced and spoke out against we see today. We could really use her moral voice of authority. She is missed.


An effective treatment of an amazing woman   November 29, 2000
Christopher A. Smith (Houston, TX)
3 out of 3 found this review helpful

This is a well written and effective biography of one of America's most amazing personalities. Mary Beth Rodgers tells Jordan's story with the advantage of being an insider; her access to those who knew Jordan well shows in her insightful and complete telling of Jordan's life.

Jordan is widely remembered by her public persona, the booming orator from Texas - the intellectual constitutional scholar who presided over Nixon's impeachment. But element that makes this biography compelling is Rodgers' depiction of the wheeling and dealing that allowed Jordan to cross barriers and operate effectively in the good-old-boy white male backrooms of the Texas Senate. We get to see Jordan the idealist armed with the constitution in our nation's capital, but we also get to see Jordan the pragmatist cutting deals over a scotch in Austin Texas.

An effective biography of an amazing American figure.


A Tribute to a Great American   March 31, 2000
9 out of 9 found this review helpful

Too often the reviews of biographies and history books end up reviewing the actual person or subject rather than the book. Barbara Jordan was a great, great woman. There's no doubt about that. Of all history's politicans, religious leaders, civil rights advocates, political figures and intellectuals, she is the one person who truly shows us all how we should handle the issue of race in this country.

This book honored her. It was truly a great read. Descriptive, informative and thought provoking. Whenever I ask someone about Barbara Jordan, they always respond with something like, "Wow, have you ever heard her speak?" I was born too late to hear her more popular speeches. But, the author's effective use of excerpts from Jordan's speeches makes me feel like I was right there watching her. This well researched book gave me a deeper understanding of the events of the Nixon impeachment process, the Carter Administration, politics in itself and the plight of both African Americans and women in government. I really enjoyed this book and I highly recommend it.


Barbara Jorden:American Hero   February 3, 2000
Kiki (Red Oak, Texas)
3 out of 6 found this review helpful

IT IS THE BEST BOOK EVER!