Game Change

Obama and the Clintons, McCain and Palin, and the Race of a Lifetime

By: John Heilemann, Mark Halperin

Narrated by: Dennis Boutsikaris

Length: 14 hrs and 44 mins

Publisher's summary

"This shit would be really interesting if we weren't in the middle of it."--Barack Obama, September 2008

In 2008, the presidential election became blockbuster entertainment. Everyone was watching as the race for the White House unfolded like something from the realm of fiction. The meteoric rise and historic triumph of Barack Obama.... The shocking fall of the House of Clinton - and the improbable resurrection of Hillary as Obama's partner and America's face to the world.... The mercurial performance of John McCain and the mesmerizing emergence of Sarah Palin.

But despite the wall-to-wall media coverage of this spellbinding drama, remarkably little of the real story behind the headlines has yet been told. In Game Change, John Heilemann and Mark Halperin, two of the country's leading political reporters, use their unrivaled access to pull back the curtain on the Obama, Clinton, McCain, and Palin campaigns. How did Obama convince himself that, despite the thinness of his résumé, he could somehow beat the odds to become the nation's first African-American president? How did the tumultuous relationship between the Clintons shape - and warp - Hillary's supposedly unstoppable bid? What was behind her husband's furious outbursts and devastating political miscalculations? Why did McCain make the novice governor of Alaska his running mate? And was Palin merely painfully out of her depth - or troubled in more serious ways?

Game Change answers those questions and more, laying bare the secret history of the 2008 campaign. This is a reportorial tour de force that reads like a fast-paced novel.

©2010 John Heilemann and Mark Halperin (P)2010 HarperAudio

Good one

A good book, well written and well narrated. Thanks to Audible for having this in store

WOW

This is a real ride on a roller coaster. Game Change is a great book, if you like non-fiction intrigue. The characters are unbelievable and this is a behind the scenes thriller. It is bold in its protrayal of what happens in politics. Unfortunately it is a true story. The intro tells how the book was constructed and information gathered. I think there is still a lot of suppostition about what people were thinking in certain situations. The book really reveals how deals are made (and broken), how much money is wasted on elections and how lives can be torn apart and how history evolves.

Absolutely fascinating.

I listened nearly straight through. The stuff about the Clintons and later Palin is priceless.

Candid view of the 2008 presidential race

Connects the dots of the presidential race in 2008. Roughly 2/3 is from the Democratic side of the race but both sides seem well covered. Narrator does a great job and keeps the interest high. The dynamics between the players as well as the individual strengths and weaknesses of each candidate make for a great read.

Amazing

If you're into politics, this is the book for you. Awesome behind-the-scenes details. Follows the timeline of the presidential race, from start to finish.

Engaging Listen

If you could sum up Game Change in three words, what would they be?

Engaging, Interesting, Not-to-Miss

What was one of the most memorable moments of Game Change?

The entire book is memorable. Learning about the behind the scenes drama of the historic 2008 campaign was so interesting--I couldn't stop listening.

Any additional comments?

This is a great book & interesting read. It grabs your attention from very beginning & won't let go. Game Change does not disappoint!

Wonderful

What did you love best about Game Change?

I loved absolutely everything. It really went inside American politics. I can't wait for their next book.

What does Dennis Boutsikaris bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

The best Boutsikaris' performance yet.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

Game Change, and I think HBO already made one.

Excellent story, excellent narration

I find myself trying to find a political re-telling of an election that is half as good. Sadly I am still searching. Don't miss out. A must.

Interesting read on such a "new" history

Written by Becky -
I like history; specifically Presidential biographies and this book was a great read on such a "new" historical presidential race. Can't wait to see what history proves.

I Just Loved This Book And Couldn't Get Enough!

The 2008 Presidential campaign and candidates was the first time that I followed an election "from start to finish" as close as I did. I really enjoyed this book and thought that the author did an excellent job in re-creating the 2008 elections.

Loved it!!!