USA/From Where We Stand: Readings in Contemporary American Problems is a non-fiction book published by Fearon Publishers in 1970.
 Paperback edition | |
| Author | Leo Ryan, editor |
|---|---|
| Language | English |
| Subject | American history |
| Genre | non-fiction |
| Publisher | Fearon Publishers, Lear Siegler, Inc., Education Division. Library of Congress Catalog Card Number: 73-116372. |
Publication date | 1970 |
| Publication place | United States |
| Media type | Paperback |
| Pages | 237 |
| Preceded by | Understanding California Government and Politics |
The book's editor was then-Assemblyman for California's 27th District, Leo J. Ryan.[1] Ryan later went on to become a United States representative from California's 11th congressional district.[2] Ryan was assassinated by members of Peoples Temple in Guyana. He was posthumously awarded the Congressional Gold Medal in 1983.[3][4][5][6]
Premise
editThe book functions as a guide to California politics and government.[7] Topics discussed include California elections, political parties, State Government including the executive, legislative and judiciary branches, local government, and finances.[7] Information on California's legislative districts, and budget statistics are included in the appendix.[7] Leo Ryan's introduction is a tribute to John F. Kennedy, the man who inspired Ryan to get into politics.
Ryan stated that the book's purpose was: "..to present our system of government in such a way that you will look upon it as an exciting, challenging, rewarding occupation, worthy of understanding and, perhaps, of your own ambition. Why? Because it is. It was all of that to John F. Kennedy."[7]
Notable contributors
edit
Notable contributors to USA/From Where We Stand include (in order of appearance in the book) :
- Leo J. Ryan, "From Where We Stand"
- Jesse M. Unruh, "Effective Local Government"
- Robert Theobald, "A Fail-Safe Line for Dissent"
- Stewart Alsop, "Virus X and the Body Politic"
- Robert Hessen, "Campus or Battleground?"
- Margaret Mead, "We Must Learn To See What's Really New"
- James H. Billington, "The Humanistic Heartbeat Has Failed"
- Robert F. Kennedy, "Now We Must Learn to Speak to Each Other"
- Robert Sherrill, "The Jet Noise Is Getting Awful"
- Rachel Carson, "And No Birds Sing"
- Joseph Wood Krutch, "What the Year 2000 Won't Be Like"
References
edit- ^ Simon, Mark (December 10, 1998). "A Trip Into The Heart Of Darkness: Always larger than life, Leo Ryan courted danger". San Francisco Chronicle. pp. A17.
- ^ United States Congress. "RYAN, Leo Joseph, (1925 - 1978)". United States Congress. Retrieved 2007-01-24.
- ^ "Statement on Signing the Bill Authorizing a Congressional Gold Medal Honoring the Late Representative Leo J. Ryan" (Press release). President Ronald Reagan. November 18, 1983. Retrieved 2007-01-24.
- ^ Trescott, Jacqueline (November 30, 1984). "Leo Ryan honored. (with Medal of Honor)". The Washington Post. pp. v107 pC4 col 5 (10 col in).
- ^ Staff (November 27, 1984). "Reagan to give medal for slain congressman. (Leo J. Ryan)". The New York Times. pp. pA25(L) col 2 (4 col in).
- ^ "Congressman Tom Lantos' Remarks on the 25th Anniversary of the Tragedy at Jonestown and the Death of Congressman Leo Ryan" (Press release). Tom Lantos. 2003-11-17. Archived from the original on 2007-06-27. Retrieved 2006-09-08.
- ^ a b c d Ryan, Leo J. (1966). Understanding California Government and Politics. Palo Alto, California, United States: Fearon Publishers. pp. 152 pgs.