4.32 AVERAGE


Stars are for the writing quality, which is superb. I must admit however that Romney's justifications for opposing the military vaccine bill and supporting KBJ came off as cringey and childish.
informative inspiring reflective medium-paced
informative reflective medium-paced

I really don't know what to think about this book.
On one hand it's a stunningly open reflection on a major political career.
Almost one of a kind in that it handles the failures of its subject with stunning honesty and clarity whilst never straying into polemic.
On the other the biographer's angle (that of Romney as an American Cicero) is so utterly unconvincing in it's delivery.
Despite this credit has to be given for the vigor and depths of exploration of Romeny's career as well as it's effective pacing and prose.
Worth a read and I can imagine it must have been shocking to read upon it's publication (instead of a year later once you're already aware of most of it's bombshell revelations).

I was surprised that I enjoyed this book. I appreciated how Coppin acknowledged both Romney’s shortcomings, and the moments when he rose to the occasion. I also found it interesting seeing the political world through Romney’s perspective.

3.5 stars. Felt a bit uneven between the first part of his life and career and the latter part.

I’ve never voted for a Republican but I’ve admired Romney’s independent thinking and reaction to Trump. Good insights into the senate and the Republican Party.

This book gave me a better understanding of Mitt Romney. I felt like, during the course of reading, I got to climb inside Mitt’s head for the past 15 years and see major events the way he experienced them. This, in itself was a gift. Mitt did not hold back.
Of course we get his spin. But Romney has done a better job than most public figures examining his work and determining what he did well and where he fell short. Of examining the moment and determining how we the people have fallen short. Without hyperbole or fear-mongering. This was all very refreshing from a politician.
The book promised a “reckoning” on how Mitt and others may have contributed to Trump’s rise. Mitt absconds responsibility here, showing that he didn’t really take the Donald seriously, and then he actively fought against him. But he shows disgust for most in his party— too afraid of their voters to speak up. But, at least in the book, the maga voters are legitimately scary.
The solution is elusive, and seems to revolve around friendship, common goals and bipartisanship. At the end, there is some mention of trying to move away from the two-party system… a nice dream that probably won’t gain any traction.
Overall, I left the book with greater respect for the man. Not feeling so great about the functionality of congress.
challenging hopeful informative inspiring reflective sad tense slow-paced
informative inspiring reflective medium-paced

The book is well written but the subject is disappointing. I hoped to learn about a principled leader. Instead I learned that, while a good man, Romney adjusted his positions to improve his chances in an election.