The Good Government League of Polk County, Tennessee

Retail Price: $34.95

The Good Government League of Polk County, Tennessee tells the story of the bipartisan political organization that governed Polk County from the late 1940s to the mid 1960s. Formed in 1946 to end the violence, corruption, and election fraud of Sheriff Burch Biggs and his political machine, the Good Government League won the intense election of August 5, 1948, and for the next 18 years controlled the county government under the pledge of honest elections, impartial law enforcement, and improved roads and schools. The political war did not end in 1948, as the Good Government League faced many obstacles in its reform efforts.

A follow-up to Tyler Boyd’s book, The Biggs Machine: Old Time Politics in Polk County, Tennessee, this detailed volume chronicles one of the most turbulent eras of Polk County history. No county in the history of Tennessee had ever been governed by such a diverse, yet fragile coalition that broke the traditional two-party system for a generation.

About The Author
Tyler L. Boyd  Tyler L. Boyd’s first book, Tennessee Statesman Harry T. Burn: Woman Suffrage, Free Elections and a Life of Service, was published in 2019. It was selected for the Tennessee State Museum’s 2020 Book Club, won the Award of Distinction from the East Tennessee Historical Society, and the Award for Historic Preservation from the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution. His second book, Nellie Kenyon: Trailblazing Tennessee Journalist, was published in 2022. His third book, The Biggs Machin Learn More about Tyler L. Boyd

“The histories of small towns are full of novel-worthy stories, and Polk County, Tennessee is no exception. Tyler Boyd’s latest book explores an era of fascinating characters, interwoven with events that directly affect the way many local communities are governed today. The Good Government League of Polk County, Tennessee is a worthwhile read for true-crime buffs, those interested in small town history, or anyone who loves a good story about small town America.”

-—Clifton D. Couch, MPA, Chair of Criminal Justice at Tennessee Wesleyan University, author of the Wallace Island Mystery Series, and former police chief

“Tyler Boyd’s latest book, about the Good Government League after the fall of the Biggs political machine in Polk County, is something every serious student of Tennessee history should read. Tyler is by profession a history teacher, and reading his work it is abundantly clear that he loves and is serious about his subject. Having written about Burch Biggs and Harry T. Burn previously, Tyler Boyd’s latest work is an important contribution in documenting an important time in East Tennessee’s own history. I enjoyed reading it very much.”

-—Ray Hill, author of Senator Kenneth McKellar: Feuding Son of Tennessee and Cordell Hull: Tennessee's Nobel Prize Winning Statesman

“Tyler Boyd once again proves that some of history’s most fascinating stories happen close to home. Rich in research and told with clarity and purpose, The Good Government League of Polk County, Tennessee chronicles a pivotal chapter in our state’s history, exploring the complexities of leadership, reform, and the pursuit of good government. Boyd skillfully weaves together the people, events, and decisions that shaped a community and left a lasting legacy still felt today. Historically significant, balanced, and engaging, this book is a valuable contribution to Tennessee history and a must-read for anyone who appreciates well-told history.”

-—Adrian Lambert, Executive Director, Tennessee Overhill Heritage Association
Book Details
Author: Tyler L. Boyd
Illustrator:
Photographer:
Pages: 432 pages
Product Dimensions: 6" x 9"
ISBN: 978-1-965370-55-1
Cover Type: Hardcover
Case Quantity:
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