The Cruikshank Chronicles: Anecdotes, Stories, and Memoirs of a New Deal Liberal

During a long, distinguished public career, Nelson Cruikshank (1902-1986) was director of the New Deal's migrant labor program, an AFL-CIO organizer-lobbyist, a leading advocate for the extension of the Social Security system and an architect of Medicare. He served as an adviser to Jimmy Carter on aging and campaigned for senior citizens' rights. Compiled from tape-recorded reminiscences by his daughter and son-in-law, this slight, disappointing oral autobiography contains a mere sprinkling of serviceable anecdotes. Cruikshank recalls his battles with the American Medical Association and with Teamsters president Dave Beck; he describes his social ministry as a Methodist pastor, which preceded his turn to politics; and tells stories featuring Eleanor Roosevelt, Nelson Rockefeller, Arthur Goldberg, Harry Truman, Joseph McCarthy, John Kennedy and others. Photos. (Oct.)