Electronic book text
November 7, 2023
9780813198347
9780813198330
English
448
32 b&w illustrations
9.25 Inches (US)
6.13 Inches (US)
$37.95 USD, £34.00 GBP
v2.1 Reference
Electronic book text
November 7, 2023
9780813198354
9780813198330
English
448
32 b&w illustrations
9.25 Inches (US)
6.13 Inches (US)
$37.95 USD, £34.00 GBP
v2.1 Reference
Hardback
November 7, 2023
9780813198330
English
448
32 b&w illustrations
9.25 Inches (US)
6.13 Inches (US)
$37.95 USD, £34.00 GBP
v2.1 Reference

The Coal Miner Who Became Governor

Born in Fallsburg, Kentucky, in a tenant house insulated with newspapers, Paul Patton had a humble upbringing that held few clues about his future as one of the most prominent politicians in the history of the state. From the coal mines of eastern Kentucky to the governor's office in Frankfort, Patton's life exemplifies triumph through hard work, determination, and perseverance, as well as the consequences of personal mistakes.

In The Coal Miner Who Became Governor, Patton, with Jeffrey S. Suchanek, details his personal, professional, and political life as Kentucky's fifty-ninth governor. This comprehensive memoir details the beginning of his career in the coal industry—from working for his father-in-law, J. C. Cooley, in the 1950s to partnering with his brother-in-law, Nick, to establish their own company, which they sold for millions in 1978—and how he leveraged his coal connections into a political career. Patton started raising money for Democratic candidates before becoming the chair of the Kentucky Democratic Party. He first took elected office in 1981 as Pike County Judge-Executive; he then served a term as lieutenant governor (1991–1995), followed by an unprecedented two consecutive terms as governor. His overhaul of higher education in Kentucky led to his role as the University of Pikeville's greatest champion and eventual president and chancellor, even after a scandal-ridden second term in Frankfort effectively ended his political career.

In this compelling account, Patton reveals the decision-making process for many of his controversial choices, including campaign strategies, selection of running mates, his postsecondary education and workers' compensation reforms, his work on early childhood development initiatives, and his attempt at tax reform. He gives his unfiltered opinion about Mitch McConnell's "scorched-earth political philosophy" and how it has failed Kentucky, and he draws connections between public policy and party machinations during his time in office and the present day. He also addresses his fall from grace—his extramarital affair with Tina Conner and its effects on his personal and professional life.

About the Author

Paul E. Patton served as the fifty-ninth governor of Kentucky, from 1995 to 2003.

Reviews

"This book gives readers an inside look into many of Governor Patton's successful activities: expanded Economic Development opportunities, Higher Education Reform, Earld Childhood Education and Workers Compensation. He is a true visionary who was better prepared for office than most governors before him. This book shows his personal committment to improving the well being for all Kentuckians. Kentucky is better today because of him."—Jerry Johnson, Chief of Staff, Office of Finance and Administration, University of Louisville

"A brilliantly written "tell it all" story of Governor Patton's life and his efforts to increase economic opportunity and the quality of life for his fellow Kentuckians. The Governor skillfully mixes the development of his "good government agenda" with the reality of a "pretty good government agenda"—politics required to bring about real and needed change. This is a must read story  of an everyday Kentuckian committed to the state he loves."—Dr. Jim Ramsey , economist and former president, University of Louisville

"Paul Patton's story is an American success story.  He hitchhiked from his home county in the mountains of Eastern Kentucky to the University of Kentucky with no resources and went on to become one of the most influential and visionary Governors in Kentucky history. This book provides a valuable accounting of his impact as Governor, and by detailing his personal journey,  provides lessons to future generations on how leadership is measured."—Crit Luallen, Former Lieutenant Governor and State Auditor

"Paul Patton used an engineer's mindset to formulate and follow a plan to win the governor's office. Once elected, his administration would become one of consequence. In The Coal Miner Who Became Governor, Patton peels away the political facade and candidly explains his struggle to advance an ambitious and progressive agenda to move Kentucky forward. Higher education reform, tax increases, juvenile justice, early childhood education and his own personal shortcomings are among the issues Patton details in this must-read for those interested in Kentucky politics."—Ferrell Wellman, member of the Kentucky Journalism Hall of Fame and the Kentucky Broadcasters Association Hall of Fame

"Politics is an art not a science. This first person in-depth account from a master artist is a guidebook to the process of turning politics into public policy. Paul Patton turned the invaluable experience learned in local government to two masterful terms as governor, overhauling the higher education and workers compensation systems. He candidly recounts a moral lapse that ended his elective prospects without wallowing in lurid titillating details. This is a candid and exhaustive story of a politician who mastered the process but could not in the end master himself."—Barry Peel, former political reporter for WTVQ and WKYT television stations in Lexington, KY

9780813198347 : the-coal-miner-who-became-governor-patton
Electronic book text
November 7, 2023
$37.95 USD
9780813198354 : the-coal-miner-who-became-governor-patton
Electronic book text
November 7, 2023
$37.95 USD
9780813198330 : the-coal-miner-who-became-governor-patton
Hardback
November 7, 2023
$37.95 USD

Other Titles from Kentucky Remembered

Under the Greenwood Tree

Tracy E. K'Meyer
Feb 2024 - University Press of Kentucky
$70.00 USD - Hardback
$35.00 USD - Paperback / softback
$70.00 USD - Electronic book text

Gatewood

Matthew Strandmark
Nov 2023 - University Press of Kentucky
$32.95 USD - Electronic book text
$32.95 USD - Electronic book text
$32.95 USD - Hardback

This is Home Now

Arwen Donahue, photographs by Rebecca Gayle Howell, foreword by Joan Ringelheim, preface by Douglas A. Boyd, James C. Klotter, Terry Birdwhistell, Terry L. Birdwhistell
Jan 2022 - University Press of Kentucky
$50.00 USD - Hardback
$26.00 USD - Electronic book text
$50.00 USD - Electronic book text

Other Titles in BIOGRAPHY & AUTOBIOGRAPHY / Political

Alexander Gumberg and Soviet-American Relations

James K. Libbey
Mar 2025 - University Press of Kentucky
$28.00 USD - Paperback / softback
$12.95 USD - Electronic book text

What the Eyes Can't See

Margaret Edds
Nov 2022 - University of South Carolina Press
$29.99 USD - Hardback

Norman Cousins

Allen Pietrobon
Oct 2022 - Johns Hopkins University Press
$35.00 USD - Electronic book text
$35.00 USD - Hardback