Who was Sam Ward? Scion of an honorable old family, brother of unassailably upright Julia Ward Howe, best friend of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, mathematician, linguist, California ‘49er – and a spendthrift who squandered not one but several fortunes — Sam Ward was one of the most colorful men of an era crowded with larger-than-life personalities.
In an era when wave after wave of scandal uncovered congressmen who sold their votes and ruthless men who arrived in Washington with trunks full of cash with which to buy them, Sam Ward reigned unspotted as “King of the Lobby.” Author Kathryn Allamong Jacob’s thorough account shows how the “king” earned his crown through cookery and conversation at fabulous dinner parties and how this son of wealth and privilege helped to create a questionable profession in a city that then, as now, rested on power and influence. At his table the outlines of a new, modern lobby, a lobby easily recognizable today, took shape.
We at Wonders & Marvels have 5 copies of King of the Lobby as our giveaway. To enter, simply respond to this question by commenting before 11:59 p.m. January 26, 2010:
What pet cause would you lobby for?
Looking forward to your creative answers! Good luck. (Sorry, at this time, books can only be shipped to U.S. addresses. Don’t want to miss any giveaways? Just sign up here for email notifications each time we post a new one!
Don’t forget to check out our concurrent giveaway for Randi Hutter Epstein’s Get Me Out.
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Kathy Jacobs,
King of the Lobby
{ 10 comments… read them below or add one }
Micro-loans to women, causes the empower women around the world
I have several actually! Education, cancer research (especially childhood cancer research), global warming causes, causes for the protection of women and children, and to end the war (all wars).
I’d probably end up lobbying for something along the lines of public health and nutrition. I’m really into the whole obesity epidemic thing.
Proper urban renewal, not the simple regentrification that imports affluent families, displacing entire communities.
I think the pet cause I would like to lobby for is that of neglected, stray animals. I am a big supporter of adopting shelter animals.
I’ve also posted both of your current giveaways on my blog!
)
I would lobby for more subsidized daycare (even though my children are grown). Underprivileged children can really benefit from attending daycare.
I would lobby for the past. Preservation and education. Generating an interest in history, to read about it, analyze implications and further research them, is nigh impossible in a generation brought up on tweets, texts and 2 minute you-tube videos. But we must persevere…
“We know nothing of what will happen in future, but by the analogy of experience.” -A. Lincoln
What an interesting book! I’d definitely lobby for an end to puppy mills. I got my pup at a rescue shelter and there are so many dogs and puppies there that need homes. And often the condition of puppy mills are just deplorable.
Thank you!
Saving the mustangs-a national treasure, saving the wolves, ending puppy mills because, as has been said before, a nation is judged by how it treats its animals.
How do I contact Myrna Laracuente. She is a cousin I haven’t seen in about 50 years