Stu Levitan welcomes UW Professor Emeritus Dennis Dresang, author Patrick J. Lucey:  A Lasting Legacy. It’s the first biography of the late Governor of Wisconsin, and it’s just out from our good friends at the Wisconsin Historical Society Press.

Patrick Joseph Lucey was the great-grandson of an Irish immigrant who made his way from County Cork to western Wisconsin in 1862. One hundred years later, Pat Lucey was a trusted friend and advisor to the President of the United States, one of the founders of the Wisconsin Democrat Party, on his way to becoming an influential Governor, American Ambassador to Mexico, and candidate for Vice President. Pat Lucey died in 2014 at age 96. Who Pat Lucey was, and what he accomplished, is the business that occupies Dennis Dresang in this interesting and insightful account of a life well-led.

Dennis Dresang is professor emeritus of public affairs and political science at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, former chair of its Department of Political Science and founding director of its La Follette School of Public Affairs. For his research and public service on pay equity for women, he received distinguished service awards from the Women's Political Caucus and the Wisconsin Equal Rights Council.

In addition to this biography of Pat Lucey, he is the author of three books and numerous articles on politics, personnel management and public administration. And if all that were not enough, he is also a former Treasurer and VP of the Wisconsin Student Association, delegate to the National Student Association and in 1963 was crowned King of the Military Ball.  It is a pleasure to welcome to Madison BookBeat, my friend Dennis Dresang

Airdate - Sept. 14, 2020