Joe Moakley's Journey: From South Boston to El Salvador

“Mark Robert Schneider’s new book, Joe Moakley’s Journey, is a fine account of Congressman John Joseph Moakley’s personal and political journey progression from “meat and potatoes” neighborhood politician to human rights crusader. It is basically a political story, and the strength of Schneider’s account comes in its skillful balancing of Moakley’s local loyalties with his international interests.”–Boston Globe

“This is considerably more than an account of Joseph Moakley’s life; it is really also a reflection, through that life, of key aspects of twentieth-century US history and politics: immigration early and late, urban neighborhood politics, key national political issues, and important perspectives on foreign policy.” –Jack Spence, University of Massachusetts-Boston

“Mark Schneider has written a wonderful book about an extraordinary man. Joe Moakley’s life was dedicated to helping people–especially the most vulnerable. He had a big heart and a spine of steel. He demonstrated that politics could be an honorable profession, and I miss him.” –U.S. Rep. Jim McGovern

“They don’t make congressmen like Joe Moakley any more–devoted to their constituents and equally devoted to larger causes of social justice. Schneider’s book brings Moakley and his times vividly back to life.”–James M. O’Toole, Clough Chair in History, Boston College

MARK ROBERT SCHNEIDER is adjunct professor of history at Suffolk University in Boston, and author of African Americans in the Jazz Age, “We Return Fighting,” and Boston Confronts Jim Crow.