A Remarkable Politician

 [ Catch and Release: An Oregon Life in Politics. AuCoin, Les. Corvallis: Oregon State University Press. 2019. 258 pages. ISBN: 978-0-87071-973-8 ]

From the Back Cover:

In 1974, at the early age of thirty-two, Les AuCoin became the first Democrat to win a US House seat in Oregon's First District. He was one of the post-Watergate reformers who shook up an insular, autocratic Congress and led fights for affordable housing, "trickle-up" economics, wilderness protection, abortion rights, and nuclear arms control. In the 1980's, the Oregonian called him "the most powerful congressman in Oregon."

In this compelling collection of life stories, AuCoin traces his unlikely rise from a fatherless childhood in Central Oregon to the top ranks of national power. Then came a painful defeat in one of the most controversial races in US Senate history, against incumbent Bob Packwood.

A fly fisher, AuCoin uses "catch and release" as a metaphor for succeeding and letting go of loss with dignity and equanimity. His memories are in turn funny, suspenseful, and revealing. AuCoin takes us to the Kremlin, pre-industrial China, the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, and into the tortuous politics of the Northwest spotted owl crisis. He interacted with world figures like Mikhail Gorbachev, Ronald Reagan, House Speakers Tip O'Neill and Jim Wright, and Oregon legends Tom McCall and Mark Hatfield. Closer to home, AuCoin allied himself with activists like Sidney Lasseigne of the Newport Fishermen's Wives.

Catch and Release offers readers a revealing glimpse behind the scenes of congressional life, as lived by the 535 souls who inhabit the US House and Senate - including the author, who assesses his own strengths and foibles with humility and candor.

Commentary by Reviewer:

Not all politicians are self-centered, greedy, power-hungry folks who look out only for their own self interest. This book brings to light the story of a remarkable politician as well as a remarkable human being. This book provides even the most cynical citizen the chance to believe again in a man who did remarkable things and became a beacon of light in the dark corners of our political system. He was admired by both conservatives and liberals and independents. He was a man for all seasons.

He was a successful and highly-principled politicians of his time. His book provides the reader with one of the best accounts of the actual inner workings of Congress. The stories about political relationships and friendships made for a compelling read. This book is an invaluable document for Oregonians, political junkies, scholars, and students of American government. AuCoin is truly a gifted storyteller. It is well written and moves fast through the many stages of his political career.  The part about his loss to Bob Packwood is heart wrenching. Folks who never knew what happened or forgotten will want to revisit this era because of information that was never released to the public. I give this book 5 stars and two-thumbs up.

About the Author:

Les AuCoin represented Oregon in the US House for 18 years until 1992. He is an award-winning magazine editor and public radio commentator, his articles appearing in major newspapers across the country. After retiring to Bozeman, Montana for 10 years he moved back to Portland with his wife Sue and their dog, where they still reside.