Review of Launching the War on Poverty: An Oral History

An oral history presents special characteristics. These require the author/editor (and any reviewer, as well) to adapt accordingly. There inevitably are many voices: in this instance, the voices of dozens of important officials who were intimately involved in the beginnings of the “war on poverty” and its development. The task is always to avoid a rambling and unfocused discourse. The author must select and secure the cooperation of the most valuable subjects, begin with carefully crafted questions to elicit the most important information and provide continuity, and then blend the voices sufficiently to produce a coherent work. Michael Gillette has succeeded brilliantly. His Launching The War on Poverty is an insightful look into the heart of what was one of the most energetic and broad‐ranging efforts in American history to deal sincerely with poverty.