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

The last 1/4 of the book is shameful.

The book was great and inspiring all the way up to the last portion. After the first ¾ of the book, it turns into the most dreadfully awful text that is just full of counter attacks and excuses. Nasty things are said about those that the author thinks hurt her image and excuses after excuses are offered for her actions. Come on…just suck it up and say it was a learning experience that you will grow from, there is no need to go down to that level.
You will in fact read about the author’s commitment to the religious philosophy to which this great nation was founded on and it is very inspiring to get to know the author in this way. Hard work and dedication was the backbone of her success and the author’s willingness to standing to those who never had any opposition (large corporations) is a positive attribute that you will read more about and admire.
Then you will witness the writing turn a full 180 from the character of the author that you thought you know, to focus on almost libelous attacks to the people that she felt wronged her during her political journey. All I can say, to anyone who reads this book and has somewhat of a religious background to that which the author says she believes, if you do not feel something is wrong with the way the author creates excuses and counter attacks those that she feels hurt her, glance at Luke 6:29 and Matthew 5:39, “If someone strikes you upon one cheek, turn to him the other cheek as well” and remember also, Luke 6:31 and Matthew 7:12, “ Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.”

Autobiographical Pap

Going Rogue lacked the essential element that I look for in a good biography, critical self examination. Throughout, Sarah explores the actions of others, identifies mistakes and wrongdoings, and assigns lots motivation(s)to others, all the while explaining that her actions are always motivated by principle and god. In regards to the 2008 presidential campaign the book is nothing short of one long "whine" regarding how unfairly she was treated and how inept McCain staffers were in their management of the campaign and Sarah's role. There is not one ill word of Mr. McCain, as if McCain had nothing to do with limiting her role, I felt left to wonder if it had even occured to Sarah that she was not Mr. McCain's first choice (maybe Lieberman or Ridge?). Was Sarah Palin choosen for the vice presidential running mate as concession to the Christian right of the GOP, a choice made to garner right wing money and votes? We don't know, like the rest of the book Sarah doesn't explore anything with a critical eye. Of her political career Sarah says she was not driven by ambition, nor by any particular goal, like power, wealth, or fame. Sarah tells us she was driven by purpose (as in the purpose driven life?). If the book reveals anything at all about the real Sarah Palin it's about her religious beliefs, which I found chilling and disturbed. Throughout the book, Sarah tells us she always prayed on decisions large and small and then waited for god to give her "signs". I've seen the video of hands being laid on Sarah in her Church while prayers were said for her political success, I would have liked to have read about this in her book. I am unsure of Sarah's exact belief's regarding the role of religion in politics, having to speculate is disturbing. I can't recommend this book.

Really Boring

I was hoping for some juicy and interesting Behind the Scenes, instead I got a laundry list of new folky words to look up in the dictionary. Sadly, a really boring read...