Granny D

February 19, 2001

On January 1, 1999, Haddock, an 89-year-old retired executive secretary and lifelong activist from Dublin, N.H., began walking from Pasadena, Calif., to Washington, D.C. Outraged by the power big-money interests exert in Washington, she carefully planned to cross the country on foot to rally support for national campaign-finance reform. Accompanied by an ever-changing entourage of relatives, friends, strangers, politicians and journalists, Granny D (her "walking name") traveled 10 miles a day, camping out at night or sleeping in private homes. Ignoring her bad back, arthritis and emphysema, she completed the 3,200-mile trip in 14 months, shortly after her 90th birthday, arriving in Washington on February 29, 2000, to the tune of 2,200 supporters chanting, "Go, Granny, go." In this account of the journey, written with Burke, the director of Arizona Common Cause, she chats about the places she saw and the people she met, reminisces about her childhood and vents her anger at corruption in government, with letters from well-wishers thrown in for good measure. But behind the folksiness lurk sharp observations, including sly criticism of one of Bill Bradley's speeches, and even fiery proclamations: outside the Louisville, Ky., office of Mitch McConnell, chairman of the Senate Rules Committee, Haddock denounced the senator's opposition to campaign-finance reform; the speech alone is well worth the price of the book. Photos not seen by PW. Agent, Gail Ross. (Apr. 10)
Forecast:With a seven-city author tour, NPR sponsorship and an appearance on the
Today show, Haddock, already a mediagenic spitfire, is sure to draw crowds. Haddock's inspiring message is perfect fodder for family and schoolroom discussions about politics; with the book's low price, retailers should anticipate strong sales.

December 20, 2000
At 90, Granny D lit off on a 3200-mile hike across America to plump for campaign-finance reform.

Copyright 2000 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

March 15, 2001
Haddock had lived a wonderful 89 years, with a long and loving marriage, wonderful friends, and a large family. Despite suffering from painful arthritis and emphysema, she began to walk across the country to lobby for campaign finance reform. From the Pacific Ocean to Washington, D.C., she shuffled along for 10 miles a day. From John McCain to Al Gore, people stood up and took notice of Granny D, whose passionate political beliefs and ironclad will kept her going through bad weather and pain. This book could easily have been a political tract, but, instead, it is a moving story of Granny D's remarkable life and her unbelievable walk. She doesn't want to bother us too much about campaign finance reform, she says, and in making this story about her rather than her political aims, we meet one woman who managed to have her voice heard above the clamor of money and power in Washington. Granny D's hilarious stories and surprisingly beautiful writing will win fans of all ages and political backgrounds. (Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2001, American Library Association.)