In My Time

A Personal and Political Memoir

By: Dick Cheney, Liz Cheney

Narrated by: Edward Herrmann, Dick Cheney

Length: 20 hrs

Publisher's summary

In this eagerly anticipated memoir, former Vice President Dick Cheney delivers an unyielding portrait of American politics over nearly 40 years and shares personal reflections on his role as one of the most steadfast and influential statesmen in the history of our country.

The public perception of Dick Cheney has long been something of a contradiction. He has been viewed as one of the most powerful vice presidents: secretive, even mysterious, and at the same time opinionated and unflinchingly outspoken. He has been both praised and attacked by his peers, the press, and the public. Through it all, courting only the ideals that define him, he has remained true to himself, his principles, his family, and his country. Now, in an enlightening and provocative memoir with flashes of surprising humor and remarkable candor, Dick Cheney takes listeners through his experiences as family man, policymaker, businessman, and politician during years that shaped our collective history.

Born into a family of New Deal Democrats in Lincoln, Nebraska, Cheney was the son of a father at war and a high-spirited and resilient mother. He came of age in Casper, Wyoming, playing baseball and football and, as senior-class president, courting homecoming queen Lynne Vincent, whom he later married. This all-American story took an abrupt turn when he flunked out of Yale University, signed on to build power lines in the West, and started living as hard as he worked. Cheney tells the story of how he got himself back on track and began an extraordinary ascent to the heights of American public life, where he would remain for nearly four decades:

• He was the youngest White House Chief of Staff, working for President Gerald Ford - the first of four chief executives he would come to know well.
• He became Congressman from Wyoming and was soon a member of the congressional leadership, working closely with President Ronald Reagan.
• He became Secretary of Defense in the George H. W. Bush administration, overseeing America's military during Operation Desert Storm and in the historic transition at the end of the Cold War.
• He was CEO of Halliburton, a Fortune 500 company with projects and personnel around the globe.
• He became the first vice president of the United States to serve out his term of office in the twenty-first century. Working with George W. Bush from the beginning of the global war on terror, he was - and remains - an outspoken defender of taking every step necessary to defend the nation.

Eyewitness to history at the highest levels, Cheney brings to life scenes from the past and present. He describes driving through the White House gates on August 9, 1974, just hours after Richard Nixon resigned, to begin work on the Ford transition; and he portrays a time of national crisis a quarter century later when, on September 11, 2001, he was in the White House bunker and conveyed orders to shoot down a hijacked airliner if it would not divert.

With its unique perspective on a remarkable span of American history, In My Time will enlighten. As an intimate and personal chronicle, it will surprise, move, and inspire. Dick Cheney's is an enduring political vision to be reckoned with and admired for its honesty, its wisdom, and its resonance. In My Time is truly the last word about an incredible political era, by a man who lived it and helped define it - with courage and without compromise.

©2011 Richard B. Cheney (P)2011 Simon & Schuster Audio

Excellent Autobiography

Easy listen. Very informative. Great narration. Learned a lot about an incredible mind that was demonized in the press.

Important history

Excellent history. To achieve balance, Should be read with other accounts of that time. Narration is superb.

Why he became The Devil

Being some one who was suspect of most of Cheney's positions during his V Presidency I thought this would be a good way to get insight.

Like Rumsfeld's memoir neither man really did much but blame some one else for failures and take responsibility for successes. The most telling part of Cheney's tale is his negative observations of the abuse of power by Nixon staffers but when it becomes his power similar transgressions are justified.

Cheney is a stalwart patriot BUT he is convinced it has to be his way or it is wrong.

As a man who respects guns his attitude toward the US global position is to use weapons to annihilate any and all enemies.

Diplomacy is for the weak.

He strongly believes if you have the weapons you should use them.
Quickly.

After the book I am even more convinced that Mr Cheney's views are badly flawed.

I am sure every listener will hear what he/she want to hear. I heard a man who believes the US is NOT the world's peace maker it is the world's police force charged with enforcing our laws!

Great Read

I am a republican who was prone to liking the author regardless. That said, this book really took it to a different level. What President Bush and Vice President Cheney did in their second term was brilliant. They wasted all of their political capital, because they knew they didn't need it. President Bush chose a running mate who had no ambition to run again, so they had nothing to lose. They ended their term as the butt of every joke and everyone's favorite whipping boy.

They did what they thought was right even when it was unpopular. There are issues of such importance and secrecy that the american public cannot make an informed decision. That is why the great drafters of our constitution saw fit to make us a REPUBLIC and not a democracy.

Dick Cheney, thank you for your years of service and not seeking populist fame while serving the President. Your selfless service made this a safer and more prosperous nation.

Missing something

I felt like the book was missing something along the lines of this mans drive. I wish he has gone more into his time as a CEO. The same book but leas grandfather like would have been more informative.

Interesting explanation of policy decisions

The former Vice President did a nice job tying in how his experiences shaped his foreign policy decisions. I do wish there was more on his experiences at Halliburton and how his time in government compared to the private sector.

Amazing family and great America’s

Dear Mr Vice President,

Thank you for the awesome work you, Gerald Ford, Bush 41 and Bush 43 did putting the hurt on terrorist and keeping America safe with an ample supply of energy.

Eye Opening, Insightful and Honest

Where does In My Time rank among all the audiobooks you???ve listened to so far?

This is as insightful and honest as you could expect. The guy had an incredible life and unbelievable opportunities which he capitalized on. He is a polarizing figure, mostly because he stands up for what he believes and is not apologetic for those beliefs. The beginning is great, gets a little more guarded toward the VP years in the end. He does not miss a take on about every moment and big decision he presided over. Whether you like Dick Cheney not, you will probably agree that at least he is shooting straight with his readers.

What was one of the most memorable moments of In My Time?

Dick Cheney gives his side of the story on his hunting accident in Texas and his concern for his friend really does come through.

What about Edward Herrmann and Dick Cheney ???s performance did you like?

The voice talent and performance on this was amazing. I was actually disappointed a bit when the real Dick Cheney came on to read the last chapter.

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

Riding shotgun.

Any additional comments?

While I do not agree with everything he did or said, I have gained new respect for a man that I believe did his very best to be a patriotic American.

A "Rock" of the Bush Administration

Two strong takeaways from this book: one, the path to high political office largely depends on fate and circumstance even for those with outstanding ability: in Mr. Cheney???s case, but for two fateful circumstances earlier in his career he would surely not have been elected Vice President in 2000: the succession of Gerald Ford (a close friend of Mr. Cheney???s mentor, Donald Rumsfeld) to the Presidency after Richard Nixon???s resignation in 1974, and the Senate???s refusal to confirm John Tower as Defense Secretary in 1989.

Two, Mr. Cheney was a real ???rock??? in the Bush Administration???he called policy issues based on his careful analysis and sound judgment of what best promoted the interests of the country (particularly in national security affairs), without particular concern for currying favor with his colleagues, the media or the public. In this account, he does not hesitate to offer critiques of his Administration colleagues on policy matters and their working methods. He also provides thoughtful and sobering background on the national security issues that still face us today: e.g., a North Korea whose word cannot be trusted and that continues in its efforts both to develop and export nuclear weapons technology (such export to Syria being a case study he describes in detail); an Iran that refuses to submit its so-called ???peaceful??? nuclear facilities to proper international inspection; and a Russia that does not yet truly exhibit a democratic constitution in practice (he includes in his discussion an anecdote showing Vladimir Putin at his arrogant worst, a hint as to why Russia???s neighbors remain suspicious of Russia).

Changed the Way I View Politicians

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

This is a chance to hear the otherside of the story, not what CNN, FOX, NPR, or any other news outlet or critic has said or edited.

What did you like best about this story?

I really enjoyed Vice President Cheney's forward thinking. He always seemed to have his plans thought through and was calculated. He also sought the counsel of many people before coming to his conclusions. While I may not have agreed with everything that happened during his years in the White House, I have more respect for him and learned a lot about the inner workings of politics, and presidential campaigning.

Have you listened to any of Edward Herrmann and Dick Cheney ’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I love Edward Herrmann, he has a wonderful voice, and I am excited to listen to an audio book narrated by Him, this one is no exception.

Any additional comments?

I really feel I have a better view on how the world of politics, war and Washington works. From Senators voting a certain way due to elections, to who they choose for their campaign managers and why, I feel it is necessary not only to look at those who are running and what they are saying, but who they surround themselves with and why.