This book examines the public life of the theatrical politician with the waxed mustache and flamboyant wardrobe. Flood's seniority on two Appropriations subcommittees enabled him to funnel funds to Pennsylvania's economically distressed 11th Congressional District. Intensely interested in foreign affairs, he surpassed most of his colleagues in the strength of his anti-Communist rhetoric. His long career ended in resignation after he was implicated in corruption allegations." "Flood was a major political figure. Although several scholars have touched on aspects of his career, Sheldon Spear has written a long overdue, full-scale biography based largely on the congressman's voluminous papers at King's College."--BOOK JACKET.