John A. Burns: The Man And His Times

John A. Burns: The Man and His Times

From the Inside Flap"More than any other man, Jack Burns created modern Hawaii. He provided returning World War II veterans like myself with inspiration, guidance, and the enduring message of the American dream: social and political equality for all."As a party leader, he made the Democratic Party into an instrument of that dream. As a delegate to Congress, he engineered statehood for Hawaii. As governor, he laid the foundations for a modern state."He has long deserved a scholarly biography. And in John A. Burns: The Man and His Times he finally has one. It will remind my generation of his wisdom (and his idiosyncrasies), and it will help build a legacy for our children and grandchildren."--Daniel K. Inouye, United States SenatorThe period 1945-1975 is often referred to as "The Burns Years" in Hawaii history books, and rightfully so. John A. Burns looms as Hawaii's most significant political figure of the last half of the twentieth century. Burns entered politics at the close of World War II, working closely with organized labor leaders and Japanese-American war veterans to forge a Democratic party that would be an instrument of social change in Hawaii. For twelve years, over the course of three successive terms as governor, Burns helped to shape many important elements of Hawaii's social and political structure that continue to this day.About the AuthorDan Boylan is professor of history at the University of Hawaii, West Oahu. T. Michael Holmes is adjunct professor of history and visiting scholar at the University of California, San Diego.