Gavin

De: Mollie DeVine

Narrado por: Virtual Voice

"Gavin" by Mollie DeVine is a scathing 2025 exposé on California Governor Gavin Newsom, tracing his life from a privileged San Francisco upbringing to his turbulent political career. Drawing on family legacies intertwined with dynasties like the Gettys, Browns, and Pelosis, the book portrays Newsom as a product of elite nepotism, shadowed by personal struggles including dyslexia, divorce, and alleged addictions. Devine dissects his early business ventures—such as the PlumpJack empire, funded by billionaire backers—as gateways to power, while critiquing his mayoral tenure in San Francisco for scandals like the "Care Not Cash" homelessness policy failures, a high-profile affair, and unfulfilled promises on crime and housing. Extending to his governorship, the narrative highlights broken pledges amid crises: COVID-19 lockdown hypocrisy (e.g., the French Laundry incident), the high-speed rail boondoggle, exploding homelessness despite billions spent, surging crime waves, energy blackouts, budget deficits, and a near-recall in 2021. Through chapters on personal betrayals, national ambitions, and a "legacy of failure," Devine argues Newsom's leadership has exacerbated California's woes, prioritizing image and insider alliances over effective governance. This 344-page critique, complete with timelines, glossaries, and an annotated bibliography, paints a portrait of ambition unchecked by accountability, offering a contrarian view for readers interested in political dynasties and Golden State controversies.