THE SENATOR AND THE SOCIALITE is a biographical account of the Blanche Bruce, ex-slave and the first African American to serve a full term in the U.S. Senate. Blanche Bruce was elected to the Senate in 1874, where he honed and leveraged his skill as a power broker. The author, Lawrence Otis Graham, does a masterful job of interweaving the historical context necessary to bring the story alive. As such, the volume of names, dates, places and things, becomes part of the story rather than a list of things to remember.
The Senator marries Josephine Wilson, the daughter of a wealth Philadelphian Dentist, and together they built a dynasty. Deliberate social strategy appears to be the main reason for their success. Blanche Bruce also appears to be a master of his own destiny, that of his wife, Josephine, and son, Rosco, at every turn. Because of Senator Bruce's vast real estate holding, other business activities, and his connection to people of means and influence, the Bruce’s were could afford an extravagant lifestyle. This of course is during post-reconstruction, a perilous time for most African Americans.
Blanche Bruce’s story is about picking oneself up by one's bootstraps. It’s about working hard, as much as it is about being lucking. It’s about race as much as it is about social class.
Because of Graham’s thoroughness, and magnificent story telling, this book reads less like a historical biographical account, and more like a work of fiction. After reading this book I was reminded of the Covey Principle, “Begin with the end in mind.” The point of having the end in mind is similar to setting goals. Once a goal is set that is realistic, measurable, and timely, etc., the steps necessary to accomplish the goal can be decided.
Depending on your unique sociopolitical disposition, you might conclude that the Bruce's social strategies were successful, or that the net result was a flaming disaster. Whatever your conclusion, the author, Graham, lets the story tell itself by presenting the facts, and allowing you the reader to pull from it what you need.
On a 1 to 10 scale, I give the SENATOR AND THE SOCIALITE an 8.5. This book will inform, inspire, and perhaps, compel you to act. I highly recommend it.
Lawrence Otis Graham
Harper Perennial
Biography
ISBN-10: 0060985135
ISBN-13: 9780060985134
