The Dean

The Best Seat in the House

By: John David Dingell, David Bender

Narrated by: Rob Shapiro

Length: 9 hrs and 5 mins

Publisher's summary

John David Dingell, the longest-serving US Congressman in history and one of the House's most powerful chairmen, offers a unique, unforgettable, and refreshingly candid behind-the-scenes account of government and politics over the past 80 years.

Democrat John David Dingell served in the US House of Representatives for 59 consecutive years, from December 13, 1955 to January 3, 2015 - the longest tenure of anyone in Congressional history. The son of a Congressman, Dingell worked in his father’s office from childhood and became a house page in 1938, when he was just 11 years old. Retiring from Congress at 89, he has witnessed some of the most significant events that have shaped our nation and the world.

In The Dean, Dingell looks back at his life at the center of American government and considers the currents that have reshaped our Congress and America itself, from his childhood memories of wartime Washington during the FDR administration, through the Reagan Revolution, to the election of the first black president, Barack Obama.

Rife with a wisdom that literally only Dingell can possess, The Dean is the inspiring story of some of the greatest congressional achievements, of which Dingell was an integral part, and of the tough fights that made them possible. Dingell offers a persuasive defense for government, explaining how it once worked honorably and well - in defeating Hitler, sending us to the moon, ending segregation, and providing for the common good of all our citizens. He argues that to secure our future and continue our progress, we must work together once again - lessons desperately needed today.

©2018 John D. Dingell. Foreword by President Bush, 2018 by George H. W. Bush. Foreword by Vice President Biden, 2018 by Joseph R. Biden. (P)2018 HarperCollins Publishers

Inspirational and Direct

An inspirational account of a storied career in the House, John Dingell provides the background to his perspective while giving hope for the future. As an aspiring member of my state congress, this book gave me hope and perspective to make Michigan a better place for all.

A must let us not repeat our past mistakes

I think this should be a must read for all in high school or college. A clean understandable look at our American history good and bad and today and what may be our future.

required reading

This should be required reading for every public servant in government. Most especially for the executive branches. I hope that everyone that reads this book will take action, even small actions, to help heal this country. Get involved in local government and take part or get involved in a movement you feel passionate about. Educate yourself on the issues and that means don't just read Twitter or Facebook posts go read the actual legislation that is being proposed and ask questions if you don't understand. Make time every week educate yourself and be informed. Above all start listening to every side even if it is uncomfortable and consider their points and work on a compromised solution. John Dingell you will be missed and thank you for all your service in trying to create a better world for everyone.

disappointing

A very disappointing mean spirited book. I love history especially Congressal history. Tip O'Neill's Man of the House was a great book on Congressal history. I had hoped this book would be would be of the same sprit but it doesn't belong on the same shelf as that book. A partisan book would be ok but this book is mean spirited. I wish one could return an audiobook. sadly it cannot be returned. If you are looking for an honest history of Congress during this period read Man of the House not this book.