COURAGE IN THE PEOPLE'S HOUSE

A collection of stories about members of the House of Representatives who exhibited political and moral bravery.

Colorado Congressman Neguse, whose parents came to the U.S. from Eritrea, states at the outset that his first book is similar to John F. Kennedy's Profiles in Courage. Yet whereas Kennedy's book focused on members of the Senate, Neguse looks at the House of Representatives, aiming to enhance the tattered image of Congress via the lives of representatives who made courageous decisions in the face of discrimination, hostility, and political pressure. Some of those featured, such as Margaret Chase Smith, Shirley Chisholm, and Barbara Jordan, are familiar figures. Neguse makes excellent use of the Library of Congress to highlight lesser-known stories of Black congressmen such as Joseph Rainey and Josiah Walls, who worked to advance civil rights legislation after the Civil War; Henry B. Gonzalez, who “devoted himself to the truth, even when it led to uncomfortable places and exclusion from the in­siders’ club”; and Oscar Stanton De Priest, who sought to advance the rights afforded by the Constitution to all citizens. The author lauds William B. Wilson and Adolph Sabath for their efforts on behalf of labor and immigrants, respectively, in addition to broad-mindedness in the political arena. Neguse brackets the profiles by often mentioning his role as a House impeachment manager in 2021 as part of the inspiration for the book. He clearly wants to be considered in the same vein as the members he profiles, which is presumptuous. Still, Neguse's profiles are admirably crafted, accessible, and well researched. This is a fine first effort that could become the foundation of an ongoing series that would add to the noble history of the House of Representatives, but it also serves as a reminder of how largely devoid contemporary Congresses have been of courageous politicians.

A well-written addition to the history of Congress.