Senator Howard Cannon of Nevada

Senator Howard Cannon of Nevada: A Biography by Michael Vernetti

“A perceptive and thorough study of a very important figure not only in Nevada history, but also on the national level.” – Michael Green, co-author of Las Vegas: A centennial history

"Howard Cannon represented Nevada in the U.S. Senate from 1958 until 1982 and acquired a reputation as one of its most productive and influential members. Because he was a modest man more comfortable with hard work than self-aggrandizement, he was also one of its most underappreciated. Nonetheless, Cannon influenced many major changes in American politics and policies during his time in office.

Born to a devout Mormon family in a small farming community in southwest Utah, Cannon served in the Army Air Force during World War II and emerged from the war as a hero. Soon he was part of the postwar migration of ambitious, adventurous Americans to the booming desert city of Las Vegas, where he practiced law and entered local politics. In 1958 he was elected to the U.S. Senate and joined a group of young Democratic senators who were to play a major role in shaping the country’s future. His service on the Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee and the Armed Services Committee led to major changes in the air travel industry, including deregulation, and to increased support for nation military preparedness. He was also responsible for significant measures that were important to the development of Nevada.

Author Michael Vernetti served as Cannon’s press secretary from 1977 until the end of Cannon’s fourth and final term. His intimacy with the inner workings of Cannon’s office gives this biography rich insight into Cannon’s personality and ideas. Dozens of interviews with Cannon associates further enhance the story. The result is a lively, thoroughly engaging portrait of a brilliant man whose dedication and integrity were ultimately undermined by his stubborn reticence and characteristic modesty. The book is also a revealing account of politics in Nevada and Washington during those tumultuous decades in the nation’s history.

Michael Vernetti is a former journalist, U.S. Senate aide, and public relations executive. He lives in the San Francisco Bay area."

Dimensions: 6 x 0.9 x 9.25

Format: Paperback

Page Count: 274