Plunging into Politics: How to Become or Support a Candidate of the National, State, of Local Level.

LOEB, Marshall and William Safire.

$975.00

Item Number: 128605

New York: David McKay Company, Inc., 1964.

First edition of Safire and Loeb’s classic work. Octavo, bound in full morocco with gilt titles and tooling to the spine in six compartments within raised gilt bands, double gilt ruling to the front and rear panels, gilt turn-ins and inner dentelles, marbled endpapers, ribbon bound in, top edge gilt. Safire’s copy with his bookplate to the pastedown. William Safire was an important American author, columnist, journalist, and presidential speechwriter. He joined Nixon’s campaign for the 1960 Presidential race, and supported him again in 1968. After Nixon’s 1968 victory, Safire served as a speechwriter for him and Spiro Agnew. He authored several political columns in addition to his weekly column “On Language” in The New York Times Magazine from 1979 until the month of his death and authored two books on grammar and linguistics: The New Language of Politics (1968) and what Zimmer called Safire’s “magnum opus,” Safire’s Political Dictionary. Safire later served as a member of the Pulitzer Prize Board from 1995 to 2004 and in 2006 was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President George W. Bush. In near fine condition.

"This do‐it-yourself kit for aspiring amateurs who want to become professionals gives the formula—volunteer and work. What you have to do, the two authors say, is to start at the bottom at the precinct level, by doing the chores—stuffing envelopes, making up lists, typing, answering the phones, making calls. Both parties need workers who are willing, able, cheerful, resourceful and intelligent. You don't have to be a lawyer or rich, although it helps. For men and women with ambition and foresight wild are willing to work, the United States Senate may be in the offing, according to Mr. Safire and Mr. Loeb" (Harold Faber, The New York Times).