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Love & War  By  cover art

Love & War

By: James Carville, Mary Matalin
Narrated by: James Carville, Mary Matalin
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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)

What listeners say about Love & War

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

A Look at a power couple

Mary Matalin and James Carville, political strategists, one GOP the other a democrat met during the 1992 presidential campaign while working on opposite sides. They have been married for twenty years and have two children. I thought the book might be interesting to see how opposite keep it together. The book starts with their move to New Orleans in 2009 with Mary telling about her house hunting and finding a beautiful 1906 mansion. The book is written in two alternating and distinctive voices, they narrated the audio book and this was perfect for the way the book was written. They both covered their political work and their personal life with their children. I found the story Mary tells about September 11, 2001 in the White House with Chaney and Rice interesting, as well as the problems they had with the old cold war shelter that was poorly maintained and never used until that day. Carville is a Louisiana native and after Katrina he wanted to go back and help the city rebuild. He obtained a teaching position at Tulane University and he and Mary became big promoter of the city. The humor makes the book a fun read.

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6 people found this helpful

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    4 out of 5 stars
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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.

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4 people found this helpful

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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!

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What a Delightful Listen!

Would you consider the audio edition of Love & War to be better than the print version?

Didn't read the print version but Mary's sarcasm and James' intensity made this a wonderful book. It really captured my attention and was very interesting to see things from both sides of history that we all remember and can relate.

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

I loved Mary's reaction to friends and "quirky" relationships from the natives of New Orleans and both of them laughing at being "black-balled" from a silly tennis club!!! Ha!!! They wore it like a badge of honor.

Any additional comments?

Hope they write another book soon for all of us to enjoy. Thanks for the great Listen!

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    4 out of 5 stars
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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.

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Solid insights into a famous family

Mary and James gave candid and honest revelations about their marriage, politics, and children. Unfortunately, it was sometimes difficult to understand them but I did find the readings to be charming.

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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.

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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.

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Captivating!

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

Fascinating people who were open w their opinions and willing to share much about their lives. Very enjoyable-wished the book was longer!

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    2 out of 5 stars
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Don't Bother

What disappointed you about Love & War?

So they start out naming all the questions people have about how they can be in love and then categorically refuse the answer the most important one. The sex. It starts out really interesting about who they are, but never really answers how they love each other. They refuse to answer if they have the kind of intense, sweaty sex that we imagine is the only reason they could put up with each other's extreme differences. They don't tell us if that isn't it, what is. I forced myself to keep listening, hoping to get an inkling, and the voluminous detailed descriptions of their work was not easy to sit through with any interest. I only did it because I adore James and want to understand how he fell in love and loves Mary. But as soon as Mary uttered the words that Rush Limbaugh "saved the Republican party... is brilliant and hilarious..." I could go no further. I used to like to see them together and be entertained by their back and forth. This has only made her appear more shrill and caustic than ever. Good luck James, but I am not impressed.

Would you ever listen to anything by James Carville and Mary Matalin again?

James, yes. Mary, no.

Which scene was your favorite?

How he planned a second wedding party for their 10th anniversary.
How they settled in New Orleans.

If you could play editor, what scene or scenes would you have cut from Love & War?

Too much about how much she loves her babies. (Really?, how odd for someone to love their mini-Me). Too much work-day politics: we see/hear that everyday, want to know the personal: what they have for dinner stories.

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