Jeffrey K. Smith

The Fighting Little Judge Jeffrey K. Smith

For over a quarter of a century, in unprecedented fashion, George C. Wallace dominated the political scene in the state of Alabama. During that time span, Wallace was elected Governor on four separate occasions. He also orchestrated the successful election of an unlikely proxy candidate (his wife, Lurleen) to Alabama's Governor's office. Bolstered by his successes at home, Wallace took his campaign to the national level, and ran for President four times. A master of inflammatory rhetoric and racial innuendo, the feisty Alabamian correctly sensed that his States' Rights message would appeal to voters outside of Alabama. Wallace soon became a thorn in the side of established politicians in both the Democratic and Republican parties. At the zenith of Wallace's political career, a deranged stalker gunned him down. Condemned to life in a wheelchair and riddled with pain, his national political career ended in a hail of bullets. In Alabama, Wallace's popularity was undiminished, and he was twice more elected Governor. George Wallace is best remembered for his ardent opposition to the Civil Rights movement. In 1962, the newly elected Governor vowed to maintain "segregation forever." His defiant stance against the forces of social change led to his deification by fellow segregationists and vilification by Civil Rights advocates. A repentant George Wallace eventually sought the forgiveness and support of black voters. Ironically, during his last gubernatorial campaign, he won the overwhelming majority of Alabama's African American vote. The Fighting Little Judge: The Life and Times of George C. Wallace, tells the story of a remarkable life, filled with triumph, tragedy, and redemption.