Courage and Consequence

My Life as a Conservative in the Fight

By: Karl Rove

Narrated by: Karl Rove

Length: 7 hrs and 57 mins

Publisher's Summary

From the moment he set foot on it, Karl Rove has rocked America's political stage. He ran the national College Republicans at 22, and turned a Texas dominated by Democrats into a bastion for Republicans. He launched George W. Bush to national renown by unseating a popular Democratic governor, and then orchestrated a GOP White House win at a time when voters had little reason to throw out the incumbent party. For engineering victory after unlikely victory, Rove became known as the Architect.

Because of his success, Rove has been attacked his entire career, accused of everything from campaign chicanery to ideological divisiveness. In this frank memoir, Rove responds to critics, passionately articulates his political philosophy, and defends the choices he made on the campaign trail and in the White House. He addresses controversies head-on - from his role in the contest between Bush and Senator John McCain in South Carolina to the charges that Bush misled the nation on Iraq. In the course of putting the record straight, Rove takes on Democratic leaders who acted cynically or deviously behind closed doors, and even Republicans who lacked backbone at crucial moments.

Courage and Consequence is also the first intimate account from the highest level at the White House of one of the most headline-making presidencies of the modern age. Rove takes listeners behind the scenes of the bitterly contested 2000 presidential contest,of tense moments aboard Air Force One on 9/11, of the decision to go to war in Afghanistan and Iraq,of the hard-won 2004 reelection fight, and even of his painful three years fending off an indictment process. He spells out what it takes to win elections and how to govern successfully once a candidate has won.

©2010 Karl Rove (P)2010 Simon & Schuster

Wow! Karl Can Read & Write

The behind the scenes details of what the American people could not, would not be told at the time history unfolded is spelled out in this book. It starts with the simple straight forward biographical information that for the most part related to media attacks in Carl's later public years. Well done and greatly appreciated!

People make things work!

What did you love best about Courage and Consequence?

It was fascinating how Rove described the election process. He really gave us an insight into the process that gets people elected in this country in the modern era.

What was the most compelling aspect of this narrative?

Everyone called Rove the evil genius that got Bush the bumpkin elected, but Rove shows how he supported the President, and how Bush was always the leader. Rove was a key player, but he humbly shows how he was a part of the team, not the leader who lead the team to success. Leadership was Bush, Rove was an important staff aid to Bush.

What about Karl Rove’s performance did you like?

Great book, and we should all thank Rove for his candid description of his duties, responsibilities, successes and failures.

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

No, not possible.

Any additional comments?

Listen to this book, Cheney's, Bush's,and Rumsfeld's books and you will totally understand the Bush administration.

Excellent book!

Thanks for providing your personal account of so many historical events in recent history! I have a better understanding of what happened and why. The no-nonsense approach is refreshing in our "smoke and mirrors" political world. I would (& have) recommended this book to others.

Good book.

This book is mostly what I expected. Karl just put details behind the stories. I would recommend this book to anybody.

Bush and Rove the media didn't want you to know.

This book exposed a lot of the liberal biases towards President George W. Bush and Karl Rove. I just like the author do believe that history will look favorably upon the presidency of George W. Bush.

Not a fan of Karl Rove, but I enjoyed this book

Karl Rove gives you a blow by blow and step by step explanation of how he accomplished monumental achievements in politics. Whether you think that was monumentally good or you, like me, think they leaned towards monumentally... less than great, you can appreciate the passion and conviction he has demonstrated for his believes.

Of course the book has a strong bias and paints himself and the Bush presidency in the best possible light. He also cannot help but take time to engage in kind of petty call outs of political acquaintances and opponents. BUT, unlike most others engaging in this type of writing he is actually willing to present a more balanced perspective. He talks about failures and shortcomings in a way that elevates the text beyond simple propaganda.

Not his slow cadence and frequent pauses makes it almost a necessity that you listen to the text at 1.85-2.00
x speed or else it becomes unbearable. All and all a worthwhile listen if you want to hear about these historic events from first hand accounts.

Good political insight

I most enjoyed chapter one, where the author talks about how, when, and where to do things.

Excellent book!

Karl Rove writes a straightforward
narrative of what it’s like to be involved in modern politics here in America. He gives great insight into the decision making process as well as the actual decisions made during his wildly successful political career. This is a must read book for anyone interested in modern politics.

The Art of Politics

DJT knows how to master deals. Karl Rove knows how to master politics. The book is essentially a blueprint.

I love this guy. He needs to write more books.

Karl Rove is a political genius and serious historian. Rove & Company played the game brilliantly. A conservative in the fight, yes, not a bystander. But Rove is the rare individual that can stand outside even himself (somewhat) and watch the game being played.