Love & War

Twenty Years, Three Presidents, Two Daughters and One Louisiana Home

By: James Carville, Mary Matalin

Narrated by: James Carville, Mary Matalin

Length: 10 hrs and 19 mins

Publisher's summary

For twenty years, James Carville and Mary Matalin have held the mantle of the nation's most politically opposed, ideologically mismatched, and intensely opinionated couple. In this follow-up to their groundbreaking All's Fair: Love, War, and Running for President, Carville and Matalin take a look at how they - and America - have changed in the last two decades. If nothing else, this new collaboration proves that after twenty years of marriage they can still manage to agree on a few things.

Love & War traces, in their two distinct voices, James and Mary's story from the end of the 1992 presidential campaign - where he managed Bill Clinton's electoral triumph while she suffered defeat as George H. W. Bush's key strategist - till now. Mary focuses on issues of family, faith, and foreign enemies and offers insights from her kitchen table as well as the White House Cabinet Room, while James's concentration is politics and love - the triumphant and troubled Clinton era, George W. Bush's complicated presidency, the election of Barack Obama, the rise of the corrosive partisanship that dominates political life in Washington today, and the overriding, abiding romance he holds for his native Louisiana and his wife and children.

Together, the Carville-Matalins reflect on raising two daughters in the pressure cooker of the nation's capital, and their momentous 2008 decision to leave D.C. and move their family to New Orleans. Post-Katrina, James and Mary's efforts to rebuild and promote that city have become a central part of their lives - and a poignant metaphor for moving the nation forward.

A fascinating look at the last two decades in American politics and an intimate, quick-witted primer on grown-up relationships and values, Love & War provides unprecedented insight into one of our nation's most intriguing and powerful couples. With their natural charm and sharp intelligence, Carville and Matalin have undoubtedly written the most spirited memoir of the year.

©2013 James Carville and Mary Matalin (P)2013 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

The New York Times best seller

“Compelling.... A solid memoir of political lives from both sides of the spectrum.” (Kirkus)

“Compelling...the voices are the glue for and the animating features of an ultimately tender book that shines a light on their successful union, not to mention the Crescent City, and shows how big and small a role politics plays in our lives.” (USA Today)

I love this couple!

There is so much that I could relate to with their story; working on presidential campaigns, being married to my political opposite and even living in some of the same metropolitan areas they lived. Fast read and never a dull moment with these two. Between the D.C. politics and the Cajun spirit of New Orleans, this book is a sweeter treat than the beignets at Cafe du Monde!

Wonderful Story!!!!!

It was a wonderful story about politics and love, it was amazing how they were able to be from different parties yet be so respectful to each other.

great book! lousy editing.

I've always been curious about these two. I was happy to stumble across this book. I'm glad to see they're still going strong.

Absolutely Loved IT

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

Have already reccomended this to friend. A facinating story of two lives that are so different. Loved the way it was narrated from each perspective.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Love & War?

When she described their first child being born

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Laughed, and felt sad about death and lost relationships

Any additional comments?

A very easy listen, historical, political and homey.

Intriguing

What did you love best about Love & War?

The yin and the yang of the authors' lives and how their complicated marriage works in their family and work lives. It's invigorating and uplifting. Starts off medium paced and really picks up about a quarter of the way and gets more intriguing as it progresses. Nice ending.The authors have a colorful sense of humor that breaks up the tension.

What did you like best about this story?

Inspirational. The authors reveal how they cope with their work and family lives in a world full of turmoil and adventure. They are not the traditional couple as both partners are alphas and head strong. It makes for a delightful story and causes one to pause.

Have you listened to any of James Carville and Mary Matalin ’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

no

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

How James Carville has the attention deficit order and how his wife adapted when she finally discovered it. How Mary Matlin is an extreme alpha woman and how her husband adapts and appreciates her.

Any additional comments?

It made me think about my own marriage and family and how the September 2001 affected our society. I learned a lot about what it was like in Washington, D.C., at the time of the tragedy and how our government worked and coped. I learned about how dedicated people are when it comes to pulling together--individually and collectively.

A must read when there is division in your house.

I am a democrat. My partner is a republican. How on earth does that work? This book was recommended to me by a friend. James and Mary’s story is an inspiration. Each of them had such amazing, interesting experiences within our government, on both sides of the track. Entertaining and informative. Loved their narration.

All's Fair: Love, War, and Running for President 2

What made the experience of listening to Love & War the most enjoyable?

All's Fair: Love, War, and Running for President--is still one of my very favorite books---and Love & War: Twenty Years, Three Presidents, Two Daughters and One Louisiana Home is just as great. In fact, I will Mary and James would re-tell (unabridged) their book All's Fair for Audible.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Love & War?

The brutal honesty of how hard it sometimes is to make a relationship work around passionate careers---the commitment Mary and James have in supporting each other, in spite of their political differences is inspiring.

What does James Carville and Mary Matalin bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Their own voices.

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

Yes.

Any additional comments?

Even though I'm a Trump supporter, reading this book even made me want to marry James too! LOL

Interesting backstories

What do you think the narrator could have done better?

The book would not be the same without Mary and James doing the actual reading however James has a thick accent and is a fast talker, sometimes faster than others so you have to focus.

Any additional comments?

Enjoyed the book. Funny to hear major government life changing stories told so matter of fact. The dedication and intensity to their jobs, their candidates, their girls and each other is amazing.

Wow!!

I did not know what to expect from this book, but I was truly surprised at how much I enjoyed it!! The only thing I knew about Mary Matalin and James Carville was that they worked on opposing campaigns when President Clinton was elected for his first term, and were subsequently married. So I "read" a book--

And I loved the book--loved everything about it! Each told their own stories, and they were both entertaining. And FUNNY!! Sometimes they totally agreed on the subject they were presenting, and as you can imagine, sometimes they totally disagreed. I have no idea how these two people can live in the same house. But good for them--they make it work. And they present a very entertaining peek into their everyday lives. I enjoyed it, and am quite sure others will too!

Fun and funny!

Would you listen to Love & War again? Why?

No, once was enough (and I really liked it), but got all I needed after 1 listen.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Love & War?

I enjoyed how they alternated chapters and commentary - very well done

Have you listened to any of James Carville and Mary Matalin ’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No and their narratives MADE the book - it was great and James' accent cracked me up

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Hearing their perspectives on 9/11 and Katrina

Any additional comments?

Really fast listen and fun!