Scan barcode
pmcintosh's review against another edition
3.0
2.5 rounding up.
This is ... not even like warm. Room temperature. Bland on bland.
Julián Castro seems like a nice dude. I have no clue whether he would be a good leader. What little he mentions about his policy and positions I wholeheartedly support.
I wish he could write (co-write? Have ghost written?) a more interesting book.
This is ... not even like warm. Room temperature. Bland on bland.
Julián Castro seems like a nice dude. I have no clue whether he would be a good leader. What little he mentions about his policy and positions I wholeheartedly support.
I wish he could write (co-write? Have ghost written?) a more interesting book.
shoshin's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
reflective
medium-paced
4.5
I love memoirs, and this book does not disappoint. Julian Castro has had a fascinating life, and has shared so much of himself and his family in this book.
panda8882's review against another edition
4.0
Another book on my quest to read up on all the Democratic candidates. I really enjoyed this one. He has an interesting back story and it was well written. I'm not sure he's my top candidate, but I hope to see more of him - maybe in a VP role.
sariggs's review against another edition
3.0
This book is fine for letting you learn more superficially about the Castro family, and Julián, but it’s not ground breaking. It’s more of a PR book them a true memoir. I don’t actually feel like I know him when the book ends. Like other people who have written a memoir while still young, there is very little personal information. He doesn’t really admit his flaws, and the book stays in the shallow end, never really letting us into his head.
Unlike Elizabeth Warren’s book, I’m not smarter for having read it. It’s a good way to “meet” a candidate, but utterly forgettable.
Unlike Elizabeth Warren’s book, I’m not smarter for having read it. It’s a good way to “meet” a candidate, but utterly forgettable.
dereksilva's review against another edition
2.0
Overview of the book
Castro spends most of this book talking about his family history. I would guess that makes up 60% or more of the book. He also talks about how he got into politics, but only gives a brief look at what he did in public office. For example, he barely talks about his time as mayor. There is no policy talk and there's no talk of presidential aspirations.
Should you read it?
This is strictly about a family that lived the American Dream. I'd recommend it if you only want a feel-good story. I do not recommend it if you're trying to learn more about Castro as a politician (and presidential candidate). The only potential insights are that that family is very important to him and he believes in the American dream because his family is an example if it.
Castro spends most of this book talking about his family history. I would guess that makes up 60% or more of the book. He also talks about how he got into politics, but only gives a brief look at what he did in public office. For example, he barely talks about his time as mayor. There is no policy talk and there's no talk of presidential aspirations.
Should you read it?
This is strictly about a family that lived the American Dream. I'd recommend it if you only want a feel-good story. I do not recommend it if you're trying to learn more about Castro as a politician (and presidential candidate). The only potential insights are that that family is very important to him and he believes in the American dream because his family is an example if it.
eralon's review
3.0
This is entirely a memoir and has no policy whatsoever. As a memoir, it’s cute, but it entirely skips his winning election for Mayor, and his time as Mayor, which is the period of time he is best known for. Additionally, that period of time is the time when he started developing a relationship with President Obama which ultimately led to his position on the cabinet for HUD.
I was pleasantly surprised by the HUD program to help homeless veterans pay for housing that was able to give vouchers to every homeless veteran that qualified and wanted help. Impressive work.
I was pleasantly surprised by the HUD program to help homeless veterans pay for housing that was able to give vouchers to every homeless veteran that qualified and wanted help. Impressive work.
cajunhusker's review
5.0
Sometimes, especially now, we need a little inspiration. This book gave me that.
moh's review
I think Julián Castro would be a great president, but I'm not the right reader for this book.
More...