About the Author

Jonathan Kasparek has published several articles on the history of Wisconsin and is the coauthor of Voices and Votes: How Democracy Works in Wisconsin and Wisconsin History Highlights: Delving into the Past, both published by the Wisconsin Historical Society Press. He has spoken on Depression-era Wisconsin as part of the Voices of the Progressive Tradition program at Taliesin and the state capitol and currently teaches history at University of Wisconsin-Waukesha. He lives in Madison.

Reviews

2006 First in the Political Science Category from Midwest Independent Publishers Association Book Awards

"[T]his lively and nuanced political biography . . . will attract attention far beyond Wisconsin as it explores the strengths and limits of the progressive tradition and the value of innovative leadership. The questions it raises about the most effective ways to combat economic and social injustice offer valuable insight into our own time as well as the past." (Nancy Unger, author of Fighting Bob La Follette: The Righteous Reformer) "La Follette is not merely a piece of Wisconsin history -- he's a model of what's needed in American politics today. He didn't glibly love his country, he fought to implement the values of our country, to bring the great egalitarian idea of America into being in the life of each person. This was his progressive mission, and it must be ours today." (Jim Hightower, best-selling author, nationally syndicated columnist, and radio commentator) "[B]reathes flesh and blood in the life and times of our state's twenty-seventh and twenty-ninth governor. . . . Anyone interested in the La Follette-Progressive movement in Wisconsin's history must read this book." (The Honorable Lee Sherman Dreyfus, former Wisconsin governor) "[R]eaders who are serious students of the conditions, issues, and political relationships among Wisconsin's movers and shakers during the 1930s should consider this book a must." (The Honorable Patrick J. Lucey, former Wisconsin governor) "Fighting Son. . . . will rank with the most important books on Wisconsin political history." (Dave Zweifel, Editor, The Capital Times)