George McGovern's Legacy Through Books

by Ashley Kringen, Reporter
October 23, 2012 8:35 PM


Just two days ago, former Senator George McGovern, passed away and many people said his legacy of service and political leadership will last forever.

The Book Shop sellers in Sioux Falls said shoppers have requested a piece of history, McGovern’s history to be exact and they went right to work to make McGovern’s books more easily accessible for eager readers by setting up a display.

"He was a very honest and caring person," said Bass.

Lois Bass, from Sioux Falls, said just a couple weeks ago, she was leaving church at the same time as McGovern.

"I said hi to him and I told him thanks for all his great service that he's done and he said thank you, I really appreciate hearing that," said Bass.

Bass said she hasn’t had a chance to read any of McGovern’s books yet.

"No, I haven't, but I have thought many times of trying to get a hold of the one that I know I've heard it's very good, the one about his daughter Terry who died of alcoholism," said Bass.

Shortly after she bought one of his books called, "Terry, My Daughter's Life-and-Death Struggle with Alcoholism."

"I'm glad it's autographed," said Bass.

The bookseller from The Book Shop, Randee Huber, said people can hold onto a piece of McGovern's history through reading material.

"Through his books, people who weren't able to know him, will be able to know him," said Huber.

Huber said McGovern in her eyes, is a model all political figures should follow.

"He was a good and honorable man and a courageous man and he stood by his principals and he told the truth," said Huber.

Her book of choice, "Wild Blue," is not written by McGovern, but features him and his combat bombing unit stationed in Italy during World War II.

"He flew 35 bombing missions over Europe during the war and lived to tell about it, which is pretty rare," said Huber.

For Bass, she said she’s ready to jump back in time and read her first book written by McGovern.

"I'm anxious to get home and read it," said Bass.

KDLT talked to a historian earlier Tuesday named John Miller, a former history teacher from South Dakota State University, who is at Princeton right now digging through McGovern archives.

Miller said he plans to write a biography to add to McGovern’s book list.

McGovern’s funeral will be on Friday at the Washington Pavilion.