The Real Romney

De: Michael Kranish, Scott Helman

Narrado por: Dan Woren

“Absorbing and fair-minded.”
—New York Times

“Romney’s story in full and clear detail…fascinating in-depth stuff.”
—Los Angeles Times

“A fascinating story [that] sheds next light on an elusive subject.”
—Boston Globe

Despite his political prominence, Mitt Romney remains an enigma to many in America. Who is the man behind that sweep of dark hair and the high-wattage smile? A savvy politician or someone who will simply say anything to win? A business visionary or a ruthless dealmaker? In this definitive, unflinching, and widely-acclaimed biography by Boston Globe investigative reporters Michael Kranish and Scott Helman, readers will finally discover the real Mitt Romney. Based on hundreds of interviews and more than five years of reporting, The Real Romney offers for the very first time a full understanding of this complex political figure.

Three dimensional biography entertainly told

What made the experience of listening to The Real Romney the most enjoyable?

The stubject of the story is the Republican nominee for this year's election so that fact butteressed my curitosity about him. The book was filled with stubstantial information.It included personal,polilitical,business, and religious aspects of his life and how these factors contributed to the development of who he is and how he approaches his role in today's world.

What was the most compelling aspect of this narrative?

His ambition. The piece I found lacking was the dirth of information about Romney and his siblings.

What about Dan Woren’s performance did you like?

The sound of his voice is one that the listener will find attractive - he sounds strong and commanding- the diction is good and the pace of his words is consistently tempered, not too fast or too slow. It is not a voice that grates nor one that would put you to sleep. It is a voice that suggests you are going to be listening to accurate information, that the story being told is a sober one that is factual.

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

No - I like to pace myself, especially with long books - I like to take time to absorb information that several chapters can bring and then after thinking about them, proceed to several more.

Any additional comments?

I would like to read a sequal to this; a story about the 2012 campaign and how he changed or didn't change, what he learned as he campaigned. I thnk this was an informative and fair depicition of Governor Romney. I am a Democrat who is voting for Obama, but I think a Republican voting for Romney would like this book too.

In depth review of Romney

I read "The Amateur:Barrack Obama" and "The Real Romney" both books,I feel, gave a fair assesment of both men,their beliefs,their achievements and their lives. It sealed the deal for me-four years ago we drank the Kool-Aid and elected someone who had no idea what to do. Romney is far better equipped to lead us out of this mess we are in while restoring our international reputation. Both books are well written and well performed...I wish everyone could read both books before voting.

As "real" as it gets on Romney...

What made the experience of listening to The Real Romney the most enjoyable?

As a Mormon, I was very interested to learn more about Romney's background, his politics, and how he got to where he is today. The book does a very good job of covering this, where he came from, his Mormon heritage, the trials and successes in his business and family life are all detailed out well enough. There is some spin going on and a few leaps where you can tell the author is filling in the blanks, but I think that is the exception rather than the rule. Of course, any coverage of Romney's politics you expect this. Overall, I felt like I got what I was looking for here. Romney is clearly a class act and a patriot. His story can teach us about ourselves and inspire us to be better citizens.

What was the most compelling aspect of this narrative?

Romney's obvious central role in the Republican primary and potentially the upcoming presidential election.

Would you be willing to try another one of Dan Woren???s performances?

Gotta admit the narrator was not great, but does a good enough job that it did not distract me. There were times when I wished that he just did not even try to attempt the Kennedy voice or the female voice...

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

Like father, like son...

Any additional comments?

Got a good laugh at the narrator mis-pronouncing Mormon terms like Moroni and Nauvoo!

Adequate introduction

Of course, the world is very interested in who is voted as the next President since United States has a profound effect on all 7 billion of us. As an Australian I decided to listen to The Real Romney to get an idea of this man.

The reader is introduced to Mormonism ??? a very American religion. There are glimpses of Romney the super wealthy family man, Romney the son, Romney giving more thought to acquiring and working through data than opening his instincts and perception to real people.

The writers seemed to be carefully covering themselves in case Romney does win ??? only cautiously did they include negative views of Romney, probably to tick the boxes requiring journalists to cover both sides of a subject. The narrator was flat and uninspired.

For all this, I didn???t feel I wasted my time. This was an adequate introduction. Even if Romney withdraws or is defeated, it was still worth it.

Excellent book..a realistic view of Romney

What made the experience of listening to The Real Romney the most enjoyable?

The reporting in the book is excellent and it is written quite well. In the days when someone seems to need to be an actor as well as a viable candidate it gives a picture of Romney that seems much more fair than the tv does.

What was the most compelling aspect of this narrative?

Understanding Romney's actions in the context of his entire life.

Did the narration match the pace of the story?

yes.

Any additional comments?

I found the reader to be exceedingly annoying when he was speaking the lines of women in the book. He was good with the men, but he seems to thinks that sounding like a woman is the same thing as sounding clueless and directionless, even the most powerful of the female characters. He should definitely take heed of this. It was very disturbing to listen to.