Hard Right

Publishers Weekly - Publisher's Weekly

Chief of the Baltimore Sun's Washington bureau, Furgurson bases his revelatory biography on sound research into Senator Helms's background. The author talked to people who knew Helms in Monroe, N.C., where he was born in 1921 and grew up reportedly a real go-getter. Writing opinion columns geared to special interests was a step on the way to the Senate and his intransigent rightist position of phenomenal influence, according to Furgurson. He writes about Helms's stance on civil rights and other controversial matters, the strong support he receives from the Rev. Jerry Falwell's Moral Majority and big business. There is much vital information in this book that should be read by liberals and conservatives alike, since Helms may become head of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. (October 21)

Library Journal

Furgurson, veteran Washington correspondent for the Baltimore Sun, classifies Helms as a unique personality, far different from other classic Southern demagogues. Helms expresses the social and cultural grievances of America's outsiders who feel even Reagan failed in transforming America. Furgurson decribes how Helms has made himself the national leader of the New Right and has created a juggernaut direct-mail fundraising machine through interlocking New Right political organizations. As ``Senator No,'' Helms eschews the politics of the possible for unbending obstructionism to even inadequately conservative legislation. Furgurson also notes that Helms rose to political prominence by participation in political campaigns characterized as deceitful and very rough. Recommended for most libraries. Mark K. Jones, Cincinnati, Ohio

School Library Journal

YA A biography of Helms that, while not definitive, is enjoyable and informative. Hard Right is most concerned with the adult Helms, and particularly his political career. Nevertheless sufficient background is provided to give a sense of where Helms came from and some of the influences that shaped him. While Furgurson is clearly no admirer of Helms, he is reasonably fair-minded, and this book is not a hatchet job. For those young adults interested in politics, or who are researching the subject, this book is a good introduction to the phenomenon of the New Right in general and Jesse Helms in particular. Karl Penny, Houston Public Library