Senator Alan Bible and the Politics of the New West by Gary E. Elliott
"Elliott's book illuminates the life of a dedicated United State senator, tenacious in fostering the welfare of his Nevada constituents, yet mindful of the national interest of all Americans. Quietly and persistently, Senator Bible forged the political alliances that insured a treasured park and recreation legacy throughout the nation for all generations." - George B. Hartzog, Jr., Director, National Park Service, 1964-1973
"Elliott's study of Alan Bible is a work of first-rate scholarship. His Book will stand as the principal study of Bible for a long time to come. It is a penetrating analysis not only of the man but also of the American West and its rise to national influence. Anyone who wishes to understand the rise of the Sunbelt in recent U.S. history will want to read this book." -Robert Dallek, University of California, Los Angeles
Alan Bible's political career began with his appointment as the district attorney of Storey County and his subsequent election to that office in 1936. In 1938, he was appointed deputy attorney general for Nevada, then elected attorney general in 1942 and again in 1946. Bible's polititcal tutelage under Senator Pat McCarran and his own experience in the attorney general's office reinforced his belief that "all politics is local." He accepted the political wisdom of his mentor that Nevada, and the needs of its constituents, superseded all other political or economic considerations.
Bible's senate career is largely the story of water projects, mining legislation, and land and resource development to advance the cause of economic expansion. He deeply admired Lyndon Johnson, and his fifteen-year relationship with the president resulted in enormous economic benefits.