Square Peg - Hardcover

Hatch, Orrin

3.32

40 ratings by Goodreads

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0465028675 ISBN 13: 9780465028672

Publisher: Basic Books, 2002

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From Square Peg:I had been a Senator only a few weeks when one night I noticed James Eastland walking toward me on the Senate floor. At the time, he was a titan, one of a small group of men who ruled their committees like lords in the Middle Ages. Their will was never challenged; their decisions were never questioned. Eastland was a chairman's chairman, a son of the South, a master of the rules and a man with an unshakable contempt for the foolish and, worse, the inexperienced."Hatch," he barked, "how about going to dinner?" "I'd be delighted," I said quickly, having no intention of refusing. I was the newest member of his committee and had the most to lose from his displeasure....After we had ordered, Eastland fell silent. For twenty minutes, I said nothing, waiting for him to speak. He puffed on his cigar and worked on a large bowl of soup, the whole time glaring into the distance. I began to wonder if I'd made a mistake, if I wasn't supposed to be there. Suddenly Eastland looked over at me, his face in a snarl."Hatch," he snapped."Yes, sir?" "Do you think we can save this country?" "Oh, yes, sir," I said, bushy-tailed with enthusiasm."Bullshit," Eastland growled.

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About the Author:

Orrin G. Hatch (R-Utah) has served in the U.S. Senate since 1976. He is the former Chairman and now Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee. He lives in Salt Lake City and in Washington, D.C.

From Publishers Weekly:

Most Americans only know Senator Hatch, Republican of Utah, from his role in the infamous Clarence Thomas hearings or from his brief, quixotic run for president in 2000. But Hatch has long been one of the most powerful and least understood characters in Congress. He's a prolife politician who supports stem cell research; he's a good friend of Ted Kennedy but an ardent opponent of Bill Clinton. Hatch explores these apparent inconsistencies and raises a few more in this earnest and enjoyable memoir of his years in public life. Hatch was first elected to the Senate in 1976, on the strength of an endorsement from Republican juggernaut Ronald Reagan; just two years later, he outfoxed the legendary Robert Byrd to defeat a critical labor bill; throughout the 1980s, he worked as floor manager during the balanced-budget fights. Unfortunately, Hatch fails to turn maneuverings on the Senate floor into high drama. More compelling is his account of the Clarence Thomas-Anita Hill fiasco, when he worked mightily to confirm Thomas to the Supreme Court, and he devotes a hefty portion of the book to explaining why. This account may not change any minds about Thomas, but it may change some minds about Hatch, who argues that he didn't deserve the reputation he earned as a woman-hating inquisitor; despite popular belief, Hatch never directly asked Hill any questions. In the end, Hatch comes off as warmhearted, committed and self-effacing. Graced with observant quips ("Some politicians are like water-they always take the path of least resistance"), this book is a fine, though small, addition to legislative autobiography, one that should be popular in D.C. and with Hatch's Utah constituents.
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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