Episode 136: Robert Mann, Huey Long and LSU

LSU is known for its achievements on the playing field and in the classroom, but before any of that could happen there were political battles and maneuvers to grow the university and to make it nationally prominent. Chief among the maneuverers was Huey Long who, during the seven year span when we he governor then Senator until being assassinated in 1935, made the university a personal cause.

Robert Mann, a historian, author and a political consultant joins Louisiana Life Executive Editor Errol Laborde, along with podcast producer Kelly Massicot to talk about his book, “KINGFISH U: HUEY LONG AND LSU.” More than just telling the story about the evolution of a university, the book provides a fascinating study of the state and its politics.

We will also hear about the time that the LSU student body watched the Tigers play Vanderbilt. Only to do it, Long arranged to ship the students to Nashville by train.