Powerhouse: Arrington From Illinois

Powerhouse: Arrington from Illinois

W. Russell Arrington's name may not have been a household word across the country, but everything about him was classic American - from his proud immigrant ancestry and auspicious birthdate (July 4th) - to his rise from poverty to wealth and consummate legal, business, and political careers. From his days as "citizen legislator" in the mid-1940s to "powerhouse" politician by the 1960s, the political career of Illinois State Senator W. Russell Arrington characterized the evolution of a quintessential legislator, perhaps as no other in the twentieth century. His considerable influence in reshaping the Illinois General Assembly had long-reaching ramifications and lasting effects within that state and beyond. Biographer Taylor Pensoneau draws from his substantial knowledge of Illinois political history to bring Arrington's story to life. Lovers of American political, social, and corporate history will be drawn to the bigger-than-life characters and revealing back-stories that Pensoneau carefully creates on every page of this engrossing biography.About the AuthorTaylor Pensoneau spent twelve years as the Illinois political correspondent for the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. He is the author of "Governor Richard Ogilvie: In the Interest of the State," and coauthor of "Dan Walker: The Glory and the Tragedy." He is also the author of "Brothers Notorious: The Sheltons" and of "The Summer of '50," his first work of fiction. Pensoneau lives with his wife in a village near Springfield, Illinois.