Unintimidated

A Governor's Story and a Nation's Challenge

By: Scott Walker, Marc Thiessen

Narrated by: Scott Walker

Length: 7 hrs and 8 mins

Publisher's summary

A controversial governor recounts his fight to reform his state and issues a call to action for the whole country.

In 2010, Scott Walker was elected governor of Wisconsin with a mandate to improve its economy and restore fiscal responsibility. With the state facing a $3.6 billion budget deficit, he proposed a series of reforms to limit the collective bargaining power of public employee unions, which was costing taxpayers billions in pension and health care costs.

The reaction was swift and severe. Angry protesters gathered outside the capitol, teacher unions accused him of sabotaging education, and the media descended on Wisconsin to make it a national controversy. Soon, liberals nationwide were denouncing Governor Walker.

He stood his ground despite relentless political and personal attacks with the help of supporters across the country who hailed him for having the courage to drive real change. In June 2012, he won a special recall election with a higher share of the vote than he had for his original election, becoming the first governor in the country to survive a recall election.

In this audiobook, Governor Walker shows how his commitment to limited but effective government paid off. During his tenure Wisconsin has saved more than $1 billion, property taxes have gone down for the first time in twelve years, and the deficit was turned into a surplus. He also tells how his experiences can teach defenders of liberty across the country about standing up to the special interests that favor the status quo.

©2013 Scott Walker and Marc Thiessen (P)2013 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

"This guy Walker is one of the gutsiest, toughest, strongest, [most] committed guys I have seen in Republican politics in a long time." (Rush Limbaugh)

"Governor Walker’s principled leadership and common-sense reforms are moving Wisconsin in the right direction." (Paul Ryan)

"He had the courage to take it on, even when it got ugly, and he never stopped." (Nikki Haley, governor of South Carolina)

Inspiring

Being from a state right next to Wisconsin, I thought I knew all about the title 10 battle. I was wrong, it was more nasty and long than I ever remembered. Governor Walker, his family, and his friends in government are really something. They are made of the same stern stuff that the Midwest is known for. More to the point, they are the kind of people who built America, and protect her still today.

Great Listen

What did you love best about Unintimidated?

I liked the inside story of what was happening here in Wisconsin. Up till now now only the liberal press in Wisconsin has spoken out about the protests. Good to hear the other side

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

No, too long for that. But i finished it in 3 days.

Please be our next President!

The man is exceptional in every category. He is everything America needs to turn around the mess of the last 8 years. I will pray for him and his family every day from now until he is elected in 2016 and everyday thereafter as he leads us out of the disaster we are in today. There is no question that he is a man of solutions and not promises that won't be kept. He is a compromiser, but not if it means giving up his principles.

Great story...but not what I expected

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes. Great insight to Scott Walker the Governor and terrific explanation from his perspective of what went on in Wisconsin. I was expecting a little more insight to Walker the potential presidential candidate. That was lacking as I don't think he's going to run an anti-collective bargaining campaign and win.

What did you like best about this story?

Walker read it. I felt like I got to know him and it was nice to hear the authors proper inflection and emphasis.

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

His own personality and emphasis.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes

STUNNINGLY PRACTICAL! SCOTT SHOULD BE PRESIDENT...

...and you do you and all those you influence a favor by listening to him tell you why in his own words. I'm a fan!

Inspiring

I remember vividly what our state was like when the reforms were being implemented. Gov. Walker and those who stood strong in the face of mobs threatening them shall forever have my respect. This story can help you bring out the best of yourself in times of crisis.

"Unintimidated Governor"

Would you consider the audio edition of Unintimidated to be better than the print version?

Loved the audio version since its read by Scott Walker in his own words, you get the sense of all the details, thoughts and concerns of a better than most political candidate no matter what he chooses to run for. He has a sincere, positive, message and as a preachers son can quote bible verses that he obviously takes to heart. His parents raised a considerate son, I recalled how this Wisconsin Governor was challenged when he faced the Occupy members in the governor's mansion and the destruction they left behind, the unions attacking him and threatened his family, as they appeared and harassed him on all proposals he promoted in behalf of the State of Wisconsin and its citizens.There's so many difficulties he faced to be a conscientious leader, and was able to stand his ground with a moral decency and provide the changes that improved the State of Wisconsin for the better. Our political leaders need to take notice of how Scott Walker and his leadership abilities, with the best ideas puts others first, while others lead with selfish reasons and shame themselves in comparison.

What other book might you compare Unintimidated to and why?

This is my first political story I don't have another to compare it to, but If I did I think this one would top the list from all the others, only because Scott Walker's courage went beyond what you'd expect our politicians even when they have had many political terms to their credit. Hard to stand for the people, and by the people when your threatened and consistently challenged for it.

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

Just the sound of his voice describing his ideas, all incidents, and challenges he endured as he governed. He takes an idea to its fulfillment and in turn provides proposals that provide a future for those who have the privilege of living in Wisconsin. If he can do a great job there just imagine what he would do for the nation as a whole. He seems to be a man of his word and takes it seriously with the most thoughtful care and consideration.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

I enjoyed the book he gives a lot of information in short concise chapters and explains the challenges he faced well, but I really wanted to listen to his audio story the plus came when he read it in his own words, if someone else had done his reading for him it might not have been a good as it is. I highly recommend this book to anyone who might be interested in a political story read in a clear tone by a thought provoking leader. Scott Walker is a great narrator for his own book, best wishes and much success to his family and for his future endeavors, he's had a lot of experience to share in a short time and hopefully the nation will acknowledge his contributions and learns from his leadership skills.

Any additional comments?

No other political candidate has sparked my interest as this one has and he would be a great one to listen to as the upcoming GOP President 2016 appears with the usual candidates willing to lead and run for the privilege to lead our nation, if all would rule in favor of its citizens, we would all be in a better place, not only here but throughout the world.

Get to know the governors faith and courage

I knew about the public collective bargaining agreements before this book and the subsequent protests. What I did not know, was the governor's faith and how the man responded day to day. He led the legislature through principles and courage. Wisconsin is a realistic model for other states when developing principled and fair policies.

It took perseverance to not become discouraged when the state senators did not act with courage. He weathered the storm and came out stronger. He's the type of leader we need in Washington.

Should be our next president

If you have heard anything about what Scott Walker went through to bring fairness to Wisconsin, you are rare. This story of the lengths people will go to to essentially steal money from their neighbors is beyond outrageous. Scott Walker narrates his own story, and when he ultimately wins, you will be hard pressed not to stand up and cheer. A true American hero in the most patriotic sense.

That was just the beginning.

If you watched Godfather, at the end of the movie Michael orders the decisive action and the most intense few minutes of the whole movie follow. This entire book is like that from the beginning to end. Except what truly blows your mind is that its 100% real, not scripted. It's happening in the United States of America to the Governor of one of fifty States, when the chief of State Law Enforcement is not ashamed to tell the Governor that "we can not protect you from violent marxist revolutionaries". This is not over. Not by a long shot.