Tommy: My Journey of a Lifetime

by Tommy G. Thompson, Doug Moe

Overview

The many facets of Tommy G. Thompson—small-town grocer's son, brash campaigner with a common touch, shrewd political strategist, savvy policy wonk, and ebullient promoter of Wisconsin—come across vividly in these pages. Thompson, with journalist Doug Moe, traces his journey from boyhood to politics to the world stage, including his unprecedented four terms as Wisconsin governor, his service as a cabinet secretary under President George W. Bush, and his continuing work in global efforts to fight AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria.

Personal and revealing stories punctuate the biographical details and policy discussions. Here is Tommy as a young man, just happening to be on the National Mall in 1964 when Dr. Martin Luther King told the nation "I have a dream." Here is Tommy as Wisconsin governor, struggling to start a Harley-Davidson motorcycle before leading "a pack of Hell's Republicans" on a ride through the state. Here is Tommy in Washington after the 9/11 attacks, slipping out of a secure bunker (in defiance of orders) to aid the emergency medical response.

Thompson speaks candidly of his achievements and regrets, including his involvement with welfare reform, school choice, land conservancy, prisons, the financing of Miller Park, stem cell research, and health insurance.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780299320805
Publisher:	University of Wisconsin Press
Publication date:	09/04/2018
Pages:	288
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.10(h) x 1.10(d)

About the Author

Doug Moe is one of Wisconsin’s best-known journalists and nonfiction authors. A former editor of Madison Magazine, he wrote a daily newspaper column in Madison for two decades and has published more than a dozen books, including Tommy: My Journey of a Lifetime (a collaboration with Tommy G. Thompson) and The Right Thing to Do: Kit Saunders-Nordeen and the Rise of Women’s Intercollegiate Athletics at the University of Wisconsin and Beyond.

Editorial Reviews

"A marvelous retelling of the American story, including the people in Tommy Thompson's life and hometown. When I was the Speaker of the Wisconsin Assembly, he and I were friendly adversaries. He wanted all the votes, but cared about people and focused on the important issues." —Tom Loftus, former U.S. Ambassador to Norway


"Tommy Thompson's journey has been defined by his public service. His passion for making a difference has inspired so many, including me. Everyone would benefit from reading his story, learning from him, and hearing why we need to follow in his footsteps to create better communities, better states, and a better nation." —House Speaker Paul Ryan

From the Publisher