THE SECRET BOSS OF CALIFORNIA: The Life and High Times of Art Samish

by Arthur H. & Bob Thomas Samish ‧ RELEASE DATE: May 25, 1971

Art Samish was California's number one lobbyist during the '40's and '50's representing everything from Hollywood Park to the liquor industry. His credo was simple -- ""Raise hell and have fun."" And his methods were direct in his ""Select and Elect"" principle -- ""I simply selected those men I thought would be friendly to my client's interests. Then I saw to it that these men got elected to the legislature."" According to this he achieved singular control through the use of his private ""Gestapo,"" a small Army of Intelligence agents assigned to check out every phase of the legislature and the lives of the members. He could make and break bills and careers with the snap of one of his ""Black Books"" as he did in the case of a Senator who ""got in my way."" He throve on bamboozling the public and investigating committees -- Kefauver called him ""a combination of Falstaff, Little Boy Blue and Machiavelli, crossed with an eel."" And he outsmarted everyone except the Internal Revenue Service. He tells you his story in a bombastic, egoistic style but at least he's candid ""when Lester Velie asked me pointblank: 'How can the people get rid of you and others like you in California, Artie?' He printed my reply at the very end of the articles: 'There is one way. The people must take more interest in the men they elect.'"" it's a sobering view of the politics of power and inversely educational.

Pub Date: May 25, 1971

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Crown

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: May 1, 1971

Categories: NONFICTION