The Luckiest Guy in the World: My Journey in Politics

Review
"Abrams was a political figure ahead of his time, opposing authoritarian regimes in his advocacy of the plight of Soviet Jewry and his early advocacy for LGBTQ rights.... Instead of settling scores with old adversaries and frenemies like Ed Koch, Mario Cuomo and Al Sharpton, Abrams memoir takes the high road. He is honest about his differences with all three, but he goes to great pains to find common ground with those he jousted with in government and politics …
Reading this book will restore one’s faith in the possibilities for progress on two fronts. One, that JFK was right, civility is not a sign of weakness in politics. Two, that government can be made to work for regular folks. A joy-filled read!"
—BRUCE N. GYORY,
Empire Report
"Abrams submitted more pro choice briefs than any prior attorney general and prevented anti-abortion groups like “Operation Rescue” from intimidating women from visiting clinics and hospitals; filed appellate briefs to chip away at sodomy laws; and defended laws prohibiting discrimination in public places against belated and disingenuous claims that organizations were “private clubs”“...Abrams concludes his memoir with blistering criticism of Donald Trump’s “authoritarian” assault on America’s strong admired and vibrant democracy...
His account is intelligent, earnest and infused with Abrams’progressive political values.
—Glen C. Altschuler,
Jerusalem Post
"New York politicians seem rarely to leave the stage with unsmirched reputations. A rare exception is Robert Abrams... Abrams memoir, The Luckiest Guy in the World, describes events that were much discussed at the time but only now do we have Abrams’ recollections about them..
.a good read from a worthy public servant."
—Floyd Abrams (no relation to the author),
New York Law Journal
"In his memoir,
The Luckiest Guy in the World, New York State’s former Attorney General Robert Abrams' tells of his Bronx childhood, his rise in Democratic politics and his role in battling political machine bosses and special interests. There are behind-the-scenes details of his interactions with world leaders from Golda Meir, George McGovern, Mario Cuomo, Robert Moses, Cesar Chavez to Shirley Chisolm.His progressive values and optimism are present throughout...
A must- read!"
—Arlene Kayatt,
Our Town
"
The Luckiest Guy in the World details Abrams’ 14 years as New York’s top prosecutor and the impact he had on the offices of state attorneys general across the country...
If the book could impart one message it would be that “ordinary people can prevail and succeed—even against powerful odds.”
—Ethan Stark-Miller,
The Riverdale Press
“l loved this book! A must read for anyone who cares about the future of our country.”
—HEIDI HEITKAMP, former United States Senator, North Dakota
“Bob Abrams has as many good stories from his life of public service as he does accomplishments, which is no small thing. From taking on the party machine to fighting for civil rights, Bob always led with the values that we need more of in government: integrity, decency, and courage. He may be lucky, but we the people are luckier still.”
—MICHAEL R. BLOOMBERG, former Mayor, City of New York
“Bob Abrams was a role model and mentor for me and others. In this book Bob provides an antidote to the toxic and tawdry politics of our time. His public service was always civil, thoughtful, and principled. This very readable and enjoyable book shows how one good person can make a great difference.”
—JOSEPH LIEBERMAN, former United States Senator, Connecticut
“Bob Abrams has penned an engaging memoir that documents his career battling against powerful foes in protection of the environment, women’s access to reproductive health care, and the civil rights of New Yorkers.”
—DAVID N. DINKINS, former Mayor, City of New York
“For twenty-eight years Bob Abrams was at the center of city and state issues. Abrams consis­tently took strong stands and