Citizen Rauh

As presented by Parrish, Joseph L. Rauh, Jr. is not only the Zelig of American liberalism, but one of the most important people you've never heard of. The Harvard-trained lawyer fought for New Deal legislation, against McCarthyism, for Civil Rights, and against the confirmations of justices William H. Rehnquist, Clarence Thomas, Antonin Scalia, and others. A founder of Americans for Democratic Action, he helped write legislation and make and unmake Democratic Party leaders; naturally, he was red-baited and wire-tapped by Edgar J. Hoover's FBI. Parrish conducted years of interviews with Rauh, his family, and associates; seeing Rauh's struggle to balance principles and pragmatism in Washington, D.C. is interesting, and while it's impossible not to be awed by the breadth of his interests and career, readers may wonder about the intended audience. Those familiar with Rauh will know much of the information presented and those who aren't may find their interest waning. That said, Rauh deserves to be better known, and anyone who values the New Deal, the Civil Rights movement, or the Great Society will close this book wondering why Rauh isn't, at the very least, on a stamp. Photos. (Aug.)