The Southwestern Historical Quarterly, Volume 91, July 1987 - April, 1988 Page: 559

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Book Reviews 559
As Speaker, Rayburn believed in a strong and independent legis-
lature, but respected the executive. He admired Franklin D. Roosevelt,
considered Harry S. Truman a personal friend, and established an easy
rapport with Dwight D. Eisenhower. At first Rayburn disliked John F.
Kennedy, but later he changed his mind. His independent-minded
protege, Lyndon B. Johnson, Rayburn considered one of "the great-
est legislative and political geniuses this country has ever produced"
(p. 389). Like others, Rayburn had hopes for the vice-presidency.
Within Texas politics, he opposed Allan R. Shivers's bid to control the
Democratic party. In the end, Rayburn continued to do what he did
best: serving as Speaker of the House.
The authors conclude their account of Rayburn's political career with
the Speaker's victory over chairman of the Rules Committee Howard
Smith. Yet earlier they erroneously conclude that the election of 1946
ended the New Deal. Moreover, they omit Rayburn's congressional
activities after his victory over Smith. The concluding chapter about
Rayburn's death is tastefully done, but the authors fail to analyze Ray-
burn's impact on history.
This biography is fun to read, but contrary to the authors' claims, it is
not definitive. It may be the best available. Specialized articles with
more substance will continue to complement the existing biographies
of Rayburn.
Complementing any such work is Impressions of Mr. Sam: A Cartoon
Profile. These cartoons depict many major themes of Rayburn's life, es-
pecially after 1939. Drawn by some of the best cartoonists of their time,
the illustrations usually depict Rayburn favorably. This volume, along
with Rayburn: A Biography, is a pleasant addition to the literature on a
distinguished Texan.
Blinn College at Bryan IRVIN M. MAY, JR.
"Let All of Them Take Heed": Mexican Americans and the Campaign for Edu-
cational Equality in Texas, z91o-1987. By Guadalupe San Miguel,
Jr. (Austin: University of Texas Press, 1987. Pp. xix+256. Preface,
acknowledgments, introduction, notes, bibliography, index. $25-)
In this monograph, Guadalupe San Miguel, Jr., takes us beyond his
previously published articles on the relation between Texas Mexicans
and the state's educational system. "Let All of Them Take Heed" reveals
how Texas Mexicans have organized campaigns throughout the twen-
tieth century to promote equality, carefully explains the ideals under-

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Texas State Historical Association. The Southwestern Historical Quarterly, Volume 91, July 1987 - April, 1988, periodical, 1987/1988; Austin, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth101211/m1/631/ocr/: accessed March 29, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Texas State Historical Association.

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