Barry Morris Goldwater Sparknotes

“Goldwater” is an autobiography written by Barry Morris Goldwater. In this book Goldwater expresses his view on politics, the government, law, and American life in the twentieth century. Not only is this autobiography like a historical document, it also opens up to American views and American politics through Goldwater’s eyes while at the same time sharing personal stories of his life with humor. Credited for remaking the Republican party, Goldwater is best known as a senator from Arizona and as a Republican party candidate for president of the United States in 1964. In this book, Goldwater goes into depth about his own experiences in politics, what and why certain things occurred from his point of view, and also why he feels that things
were true, fair or unfair. Barry Golwater was born in Phoenix Arizona in 1909.
His mother, Hattie Williams, whom he and his siblings called “Mun”, had an enormous influence on Goldwater’s personality. He even says in his autobiography that his “mother had a greater influence on my life than any other individual” (107). His father Baron Goldwater came from Jewish decent and was the owner of his Jewish families department store called M. Goldwater & Sons. M. Goldwater & Sons was the largest department store in Phoenix at the time. Although Barry Goldwater had never been close to his father, he took over the families store after his father died from a heart attack. Goldwater was only twenty years old at the time and had to drop out of the University of Arizona his freshman year to do so which he says in his book was “the biggest mistake of my life” (133). He says that he wishes he would of gone to and finished college instead of his life turning this way at such a young age. This is such a big reason why Goldwater believed and promoted education to youth. He believed that everyone should “fulfill their intellectual potential”(134). Because he did not attend college he read every day to keep expanding his knowledge and keep his mind sharp. He soon after developed many hobbies that he loved very
much. Goldwater was very interested with the radio and technology his whole life, he grew to love planes and flying, and he also loved photography. He said these hobbies helped him later on in life and politics for example he wrote “flying took me into the Army Air Corps. Photography helped launch me as a politician. Radio led me to propose regulatory and other changes in the U.S. communications industry” (167). Goldwater calls flying his first love as it began as just a hobby and grew into a part time career which he was extremely talented at. He worked