Overview

"Louis Stokes was a giant in Ohio politics and one of the most significant figures in the U.S. Congress in recent times. When he arrived in the House of Representatives as a freshman in 1969, there were only six African Americans serving. By the time he retired thirty years later, he had chaired the House Special Committee on the Kennedy and King assassinations, the House Ethics Committee during Abscam, and the House Intelligence Committee during Iran-Contra; he was also a senior member of the powerful House Appropriations Committee. Prior to Louis Stokes's tenure in Congress he served for many years as a criminal defense lawyer and chairman of the Cleveland NAACP Legal Redress Committee. Among the Supreme Court Cases he argued, the Terry ""Stop and Frisk"" case is regarded as one of the twenty-five most significant cases in the court's history. The Gentleman from Ohio chronicles this and other momentous events in the life and legacy of Ohio's first black representative-a man who, whether in law or politics, continually fought for the principles he believed in and helped lead the way for African Americans in the world of mainstream American politics."

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9780814213124

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Reviews

Full of humor, graciousness, anger, and glowing optimism, The Gentleman from Ohio is an essential read. Vernon Jordan Shortly before his death in 2015, Louis Stokes finished his autobiography, The Gentleman from Ohio. With this book, he bestows his last gift to the American public with this remarkable chronicle of his rise from poverty in Cleveland to the halls of power in Washington, DC, as the first black congressman from Ohio. Henry Louis Gates Jr. Louis Stokes was a patriot in the finest sense of the word: absolutely committed to our country, and to making it better. In every arena, Lou insisted that America make real the full promise of our democracy. A man of humble beginnings and high principles, Congressman Stokes broke through historic prejudice to become a trailblazing leader in the House of Representatives. Through his autobiography, Lou has preserved the stories of 30 years of groundbreaking achievement in the House and the wisdom from a lifetime of leadership beyond. House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi I spent many summers in Akron, Ohio, visiting my grandparents and heard countless stories about Louis Stokes. He was an icon in Ohio. Congressman Stokes and his brother, Carl, were instrumental in reshaping America s political landscape. They were a stellar example of black legislators being as capable and dedicated as anyone else. This book is not just about politics; it s about something we can all agree on that a loving family can inspire us to do remarkable things in life. And once you read this, you ll fully understand why Louis Stokes will always be known as the gentleman from Ohio. Robin Roberts, <i>Good Morning America</i>

The Gentleman from Ohio is the story of a life well lived, of respect earned, and of love freely given by a humble gentleman from Ohio who rose like the phoenix from his beginnings on Central Avenue to one of the most powerful men in the U.S. Congress. Congresswoman Marcia L. Fudge

This autobiography of a great and good man will inspire readers young and old. Congressman Louis Stokes takes us on his journey from Cleveland s Outhwaite Homes to his brilliant career as a criminal defense attorney to his extraordinary three decades of service in the U.S. House of Representatives. You are there as he argues a case in the Supreme Court, as he cofounded the Congressional Black Caucus, as he rose to become one of the most important leaders in Congress. We are fortunate to have this fascinating account of the profoundly important legacy of Louis Stokes, told as only he could tell it. Barbara R. Snyder, President, Case Western Reserve University

"""""Full of humor, graciousness, anger, and glowing optimism, The Gentleman from Ohio is an essential read."" --Vernon Jordan ""Shortly before his death in 2015, Louis Stokes finished his autobiography, The Gentleman from Ohio. With this book, he bestows his last gift to the American public with this remarkable chronicle of his rise from poverty in Cleveland to the halls of power in Washington, DC, as the first black congressman from Ohio."" --Henry Louis Gates Jr. ""Louis Stokes was a patriot in the finest sense of the word: absolutely committed to our country, and to making it better. In every arena, Lou insisted that America make real the full promise of our democracy. A man of humble beginnings and high principles, Congressman Stokes broke through historic prejudice to become a trailblazing leader in the House of Representatives. Through his autobiography, Lou has preserved the stories of 30 years of groundbreaking achievement in the House--and the wisdom from a lifetime of leadership beyond."" --House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi ""I spent many summers in Akron, Ohio, visiting my grandparents and heard countless stories about Louis Stokes. He was an icon in Ohio. Congressman Stokes and his brother, Carl, were instrumental in reshaping America's political landscape. They were a stellar example of black legislators being as capable and dedicated as anyone else. This book is not just about politics; it's about something we can all agree on--that a loving family can inspire us to do remarkable things in life. And once you read this, you'll fully understand why Louis Stokes will always be known as the 'gentleman from Ohio.'"" --Robin Roberts, Good Morning America"""

Author Information

Louis Stokes was raised in Cleveland's projects, the son of a single mother who lost her husband when Louis was three. He was also the brother of former Cleveland mayor, Carl Stokes, who, before being elected as Cleveland's first African American mayor, was elected as the first African American Democrat in the state legislature. David Chanoff has written on current affairs, foreign policy, education, refugee issues, literary history, and other subjects for such publications as The New York Times Magazine, The Wall Street Journal, The New Republic, The New York Review of Books, The Washington Post, and The American Scholar. He is the author or coauthor of fifteen books.

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