J. V. Conran and Rural Political Power: Boss Mythology in the Missouri Bootheel [Hardcover]

James Vincent Conran (1899-1970) was the most significant political organizer in the history of rural America. Serving as a rural Missouri prosecutor for 32 years, Conran was the much sought political friend of statewide and national candidates, such as President Harry S. Truman, U.S. Senator Thomas F. Eagleton, and Governor Warren Hearnes. His singular political influence was inextricably linked to the unique demographics of his home region, the Missouri Bootheel, which was a part southern, part mid-western, and part frontier community where African Americans enjoyed unusual political power.
Though contemporary media depictions portrayed Conran as a traditional, corrupt political bosslike his notorious contemporaries, Tom Pendergast of Kansas City or Ed Crump of Memphisthis view is flawed. In J.V. Conran and Rural Political Power, Will Sarvis aims to paint a more accurate picture of Conran by revealing the true extent and limitations of his power and influence.

Will Sarviss J. V. Conran and Rural Political Power is a welcome scholarly introduction to one of the bootheels chief political figures, known to most only in folklore. . . . This is an important book that illuminates the texture and nuance of 'swampeast Missouri.' On the post-Pendergast landscape of Missouri politics, Conrans was but one of many provincial fiefdoms where powerful men trafficked in political influence. Even if J. V. was not the boss, he was still a fascinating regional kingpin whose story had never been told until now. Missouri Historical Review

J.V. Conran and Rural Political Power: Boss Mythology in the Missouri Bootheel is...a study of Conran's professional career as a politician (prosecuting attorney of New Madrid County) and power broker within Missouri's Democratic Party. . . . This book is a case study of a common misunderstanding of how power is used. Sarvis integratelÃ*