“Alan Dixon served more than forty years in elected office, and never wavered from his characteristic civility and kindness. His career is proof that a strong leader can treat even his greatest adversaries with the greatest respect.”—Richard M. Daley, former mayor of Chicago
“[In this book], readers will discover that Dixon has not written a book to glamorize his accomplishments. Instead, he proceeds in his own words to detail insights into the life of a person who came from a Norman Rockwell–like town and advanced, step by step, to his country’s political heights. . . .[H]e resurrects people, places, incidents, and things that affected his being. He is sometimes self-effacing, sometimes poignant, and sometimes humorous. There’s also a healthy number of behind-the-scenes glimpses into the inner workings of politics. In the end, the book is a revelation of the essence of Dixon, or, as he was known for years, the gentleman from Illinois.”—From the foreword by Taylor Pensoneau
“Alan Dixon mastered the political process, and he knew how to make it work to get things done for Illinois and for our nation. During his time in the United States Senate, he fought passionately and effectively for his beliefs, and was an indispensable member of the Armed Services Committee. I relied heavily on Alan as a trusted friend and advisor, and he was a great help to me in managing the defense bill on the Senate floor and guiding it through the conference with the House year after year. As chairman of the Readiness Subcommittee, Alan kept the morale of the military and their families at the forefront, and was an effective leader in ensuring a strong national defense. Like Alan, The Gentleman from Illinois is entertaining, enlightening, and informative, and I highly recommend it.”—Sam Nunn, former U.S. senator from Georgia
“Here’s the good one—the book we waited 20 years for. The Gentleman from Illinois chronicles Alan Dixon’s four decades in Illinois and Washington politics, and gives us a ring side seat to the passion, intrigue, and excitement that seeking and holding public office in a state like Illinois can command. One of the state’s most revered public servants has told it all without fear or favor and we are right there with him.”—Governor James R. Thompson
