Slender volume by the noted economist, which discusses various personalities he knew in a long career in and out of government service from the 1930s to the 1970s. He does set forth some sensible criteria for which figures he includes and excludes -- though he excludes Nixon, he doesn't stoop from including a snarky comment and a copy of a letter Nixon worked on when Nixon was at OPA. There's also some sneering references to President Reagan being "mentally detached," which don't square with history. I'm not sure he didn't allow a personal liking for Nehru to colour his perceptions of the man himself. The chapter on Albert Speer, to my mind, also violates his criteria, in that he didn't really know Speer, but interviewed him a handful of times. Doesn't give you a very nice impression of Galbraith; he comes across as just as contemptuous of the rabble as Adlai Stevenson did. Not particularly recommended. ( )

From FDR on

Galbriath reviews key events in his long life in public office. Not a discussion of economics but rather his views of the men (and two women) who shaped events of the last half century. Easy reading, limited content, except for the chapter on LJB. ( )