A man of intelligence, drive, creativity, and fascinating contradictions, Straub overcame personal challenges and inevitable comparisons to his charismatic predecessor and friendly Republican rival, Tom McCall, to have a lasting impact on Oregon and the nation. Charles Johnson shares insights into Straub’s significant legacy, focusing on his leading role in the state’s financial and environmental issues and his influence on McCall. Johnson also reveals much of Straub’s warm personal story, along with his secret struggles, including his battle with depression while Governor. Standing at the Water’s Edge offers rich descriptions of other intriguing political figures of the time as well, capturing the flavor of what has been called Oregon’s political “golden age” of the sixties and seventies—created in part by the symbiotic relationship between Straub and McCall—and describing how and why it ended. Standing at the Water’s Edge is an essential addition to the literature about Oregon’s political leaders for historians, political scientists, and general readers interested in Oregon history.

Biographies, Gouverneurs Oregon Biographies, Governors, Governors Oregon Biography, Oregon, Oregon Politics and government 1951-, Oregon Politique et gouvernement 1951-, Oregon authors, Politics and government, Since 1951, Straub, Robert W

Lessons from the prune orchard The road less traveled Answering the call Jumping in with both feet Get our money out of the mattress Nature's warrior From State Street to Wall Street A line in the sand From backwater to Vortex A darkened victory Utopian dreams, economic realities Fighting against the tide A graceful departure The arc of Bob Straub's life