Going Rogue

An American Life

By: Sarah Palin

Narrated by: Sarah Palin

Length: 7 hrs and 11 mins

Publisher's summary

One year ago, Sarah Palin burst onto the national political stage like a comet. Yet even now, few Americans know who this remarkable woman really is.

As chief executive of America's largest state, Sarah Palin had built a record as a reformer who pushed through changes other politicians only talked about: energy independence, ethics reform, and the biggest private-sector energy infrastructure project in U.S. history. While revitalizing public school funding and ensuring the state met its responsibilities to seniors and Alaska Native populations, Palin also brought Big Oil to heel.

She was a Main Street American woman: a working mom, wife of a blue-collar union man, and the mother of five children. But as the presidential campaign unfolded, Palin became a lightning rod for both praise and criticism. And few knew the real Sarah Palin.

In this eagerly anticipated memoir, Palin paints an intimate portrait of growing up in the wilds of Alaska; meeting her lifelong love; her decision to enter politics; the importance of faith and family; and the unique joys and trials of life as a high-profile working mother. She also opens up for the first time about the 2008 presidential race, providing a rare, mom's-eye view of high-stakes national politics - from patriots dedicated to "Country First" to slick politicos bent on winning at any cost.

Going Rogue traces one ordinary citizen's extraordinary journey, and imparts Palin's vision of a way forward for America and her unfailing hope in the greatest nation on earth.

©2009 Sarah Palin (P)2009 HarperCollins Publishers

very informative

So much has been said about Sarah Palin and I wanted to hear her version of events. I found this book very enlightening. She is clearly not the woman the press painted her to be and I am very impressed with not only her background, but her ability to stick to her morals and convictions even when faced with seemingly insurmountable odds. A good read for anyone who is interested in learning who Sarah Palin really is and what shapes her decisions.

Great non-fiction book

I listened to this book and I loved the fact that Sarah Palin narrated it herself. It is a real eye opener about today's politics. It makes you wonder what would have happened to the election if "headquarters" let Sarah Palin be herself. The only negative thing about this book is that audible didn't have the unabridged edition. I borrowed the book to look at the photos and to read the parts that were left out. Still loved it. Sarah Palin's enthusiasm it so inspiring. This is a must read/listen to book no matter what your beliefs are!

What this book leaves out

Sarah never admits to taking trips to the toilet in this book.. Not one plop. No wonder people think she is full of it. I tell you what If I were Sarah, I would invest in some of that prune juice schtuff. Then the plop flops out

michigander

great ideology!

No new information

I had heard everything in the book before. She complains about how she was treated in the media and how she was treated by the McCain campaign and then how badly she was treated when she returned to Alaska. She again tries to make her decision to resign as governor sound heroic.
For me - I was never a fan of Gov. Palin - it did nothing to change my opinion.

Going Rogue

totally boring and monotonous

Horrible!!

If you're looking for self-aggrandizing revisionism, this book is for you. Palin's voice is nasaly, he meter and tempo inconsistent, her facts twisted, and general demeanor is simply arrogant. This book was pure drivel. This is perhaps the worst book I have ever read or listened to. I tried to give it a fair hearing, but found myself choking down the first few chapters. I didn't want to continue on a failing course so I stopped reading it. Don't waste your time. I wish I could give it zero stars.

Learned much, Explained little

I had to read this book for book group. I was not excited about it. I did not know much about Sarah Palin, but I know there was just something I didn't like about her. I gave the book a shot. It was good to learn more about her as a person. This book reads as part memoir and part defensive statement of her actions. Although I respect her as a woman, and woman who took risks and was confident. I personally think she ruined a good thing, by agreeing to run for Vice President. Sometimes putting your political aspirations above everything else is not always a good thing...even if you drag your family along for the ride.

Going Rogue

Right on.

Somewhat painful

I think if you go in to this book loving Sarah Palin, you're going to come out loving Sarah Palin and vice versa.

The book doesn't really give any new perspective, which is disappointing. For me, it seemed like a lot of tired excuses. She basically said that Katie Couric was depressed and that's why she granted her an interview... come on!! And also insinuated that she was mishandled and that was the reason McCain/Palin lost the election. I'm not really interested in her excuses.

In terms of her policy, it was extremely vague. Not really heavy on the political side at all (as you would imagine from her). She makes broad statements like "believing in the power of people" but doesn't really give any tangible solutions to problems. She spends way more time criticizing this administration than she does offering real solutions to problems. And if you were hoping for any foreign policy, you're out of luck. Not covered (other than to reiterate that you really can see Russia from Alaska).

That said, it was interesting to hear about her early life in politics and there are moments where she garners real sympathy, especially when she speaks of the attacks on her family. But she glosses over family stuff too. She doesn't really take any sort of stand on Bristol's pregnancy (right, wrong, her impact on the situation as a parent who raised this girl). She mentions how Bristol is trying to teach other girls not to make the same mistakes she does with abstinence-only education but cannot seem to grasp how this is fairly hypocritical and non-sensical.

Overall, pretty painful to listen to. Nauseatingly folksy and light on actual political content. She proves that she's not prepared for any sort of higher political office. If you want to play a fun drinking game, drink every time she says Alaka and finish your beer every time she says "politics as usual."