Arthur J. Goldberg

New Deal Liberal

David Stebenne

This is a solid, well-detailed account of the political career of Arthur J. Goldberg. A prominent and defining figure in the American labor movement, Goldberg served as Secratary of Labor under the Kennedy Administration before being named a justice to the Supreme Court. He was also ambassador to the United Nations during Johnson's presidency. Goldberg was considered one of the most important liberals in American public life in the 1960s and was a major force for reform both on and off the judicial bench. This book places Goldberg's career and its significance in relation to the social and political events of the time.

Arthur J. Goldberg

New Deal Liberal

David Stebenne

Description

This book is the first biography ever written of Arthur J. Goldberg, the former labor lawyer, Secretary of Labor under Kennedy, and Supreme Court justice (which post he resigned at the request of Lyndon Johnson to become U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations), who played a leading role in American political life from World War II until the end of the 1960s. Goldberg, who never wrote memoirs himself, shared his thoughts about his life and work with Stebenne in a series of conversations, which took place occasionally from the fall of 1981 through to Goldberg's death in 1990. He also allowed Stebenne access to his papers, including those held under seal in presidential libraries and at the Library of Congress. Based upon these unique sources and written to be accessible to a wide audience, Arthur J. Goldberg is both the story of a leading American liberal and a history of modern American liberalism.

Arthur J. Goldberg

New Deal Liberal

David Stebenne

Reviews and Awards

"Stebenne's diligently researched study is the best work to date on this prominent American public servant."--CHOICE

"An absorbing, scholarly biography of an undeservedly neglected legal thinker....An illuminating look at a fascinating figure in 20th-century politics."--Kirkus Reviews

"Former Labor Secretary Willard Wirtz described Arthur J. Goldberg as 'perpetual energy in constant motion leading to endless achievement.' This book provides an interesting, comprehensive account of that achievement--and far more. Professor Stebenne in writing of Justice Goldberg has given us the history of the American labor movement, from World War II through Viet Nam. He tells a fascinating story. His analysis illuminates contemporary political, as well as economic, circumstance. Those interested in American government, labor relations, or history, will find his book a valuable contribution."--Associate Justice Stephen G. Breyer, United States Supreme Court

"David Stebenne's study of Arthur Goldberg is both a superb biography of a major figure in the postwar labor world, and a challenging reinterpretation of modern American political economy. It is an important contribution to the burgeoning scholarship on recent American history."--Alan Brinkley, Columbia University

"A valuable source for students of labor history."--Publishers Weekly

"The book's description of lawsuits, lobbying and legislation involving labor issues is impressive....[C]onsiderable original research..."--ABA Journal

"A meticulously researched biography...An important addition to the growing literature on the rise of labor unions and modern American political economy."--HISTORY

"[The] book is undoubtedly one of the most sophisticated, historically well-grounded defenses of bureaucratic liberalism to appear on the labor history bookshelf."--Labor History

"Tells political scientists and readers with an interest in law and society an important story about the constitutive function of law and lawyers in post-New Deal America."--The Law and Politics Book Review

"This book chronicles the life of an important figure in the history of labor relations in an impeccably scholarly manner."--The Journal of American History

"[T]his book should be read by anyone involved in the industrial relations process."--Monthly Labor Review