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

Great Book

This is a very interesting book and a great look back in history as Cheney has been involved in many administrations. Thanks Cheney for all your years of sterling service to our country, including adopting a policy of enhanced interrogation tactics for foreign terrorist. This policy has proven to be a great success in protecting our country and, yes, you were right to adopt it and also to seek its continuance.

Much Needed Balance to Unfounded Portrayal

Just finished the book - I really enjoyed reading it. His book provides a wealth of background information and stories from his political and personal life spanning from the Nixon/Ford years up through his time as Vice President. He has a no-nonsense, tell it like it is attitude on issues that were vital to protecting our country. He stood on principle and didn't sell out our country to the misguided notion of peace through weakness. Some of these negative reviewers are rather silly in their comments - you can tell that many of them didn't read the book. They play along with the mainstream media's vilification and nauseating repetition of the same unfounded claims without providing much proof for their claims. Cheney was someone who's dedication and service to this country was an exemplar compared to other politicians who held his position. Maybe you can fault him for his steadfast desire to protect this country at a time when we faced unprecedented risks. How soon many of us forget the climate in this country after 9/11. The book brings out interesting background information on the dealings with other countries in the Middle East and with the Soviet Union. Whether you like the guy or not, he presents a well reasoned presentation of the Bush policies and the background for our country's actions after 9/11 and through two wars. By providing this context, you come away from reading the book feeling that Cheney's work will be looked upon by historians as representing a critical perspective to the events over the last decade. Highly recommend reading the book!

Completely Engrossing History!

I wasn't expecting such a sweeping view (4 decades) of Presidential, Political and Personal History. The narration by Edward Herrmann was impeccable.

I just could NOT stop listening to this book. This is a truly historic, autobiography. It is so completely engrossing. The scope, depth and frankness are reminiscent of Sir Winston Churchill's writings. I actually feel rather foolish trying to write this review. Upon listening to this book, you too will be left in awe of this man and all that he has given in the service to his country.

Thank you so very much Mr. Vice President!

Very interesting and engrossing

Could not stop listening. Very interesting and refreshing to hear decades of history and "behind the scenes" happenings written and narrated by D. Cheney. Can only recommend the book.

Forget what you think you know

If you bought the popular image of Dick Cheney as Bush's brain or Darth Vader you have to read this book. The memoir casts a different and much more detailed light on the era and changed what I thought I knew. May not want to go on a quail hunt with him but he was an honorable patriot.

How did we get HERE?

In My Time is an interesting, detailed, expansive look at the life and political career of one of America's most controversial figures. The book is well written, the narration is easy to listen to and I recommend it regardless of your like/dislike of Mr. Cheney. However, after reading his story it still remains a mystery to me how a young (Volkswagon driving) Dick Cheney, raised by new deal democrats, employed as union labor, and the beneficiary of many assistance programs begun in the new deal and furthered by the great society, goes to Washington to work in the moderate Republican administrations of Nixon and Ford and ends up as the most radical, partisan politician of our time. In telling his story Mr. Cheney takes time to tell us about the nuisance of W.I.N. (whip inflation now), Abscam, the election campaigns of Ford, Reagan, Bush Sr., Bush Jr. (no Dole) and of course endless details of war, intelligence, his love and fascination with all things military, 9-11, and his denial of torture. I found it amazing the he wrote not a single word regarding the Project For A new American Century (the bible for the NeoCons), nothing on the rise of right wing think tanks (Cato, Heritage, American Free Enterprise, Club for Growth) and their influence on the Republican Party, and mum on the rise of the evangelical right and the ever increasing pandering by Republicans to that religious right. His silence on the inaction of the Reagan administration and congress during the hiv/aids crisis, I expected that, it probably didn't even register on his radar of important events. It's not your father's Republican party anymore and Dick Cheney didn't become Gerald Ford even though he professes to have held him in highest regard.

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.

How government works.

An excellent incite into how government works. One day you are a hero, the next day you are the devil.

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).

Absolutely fascinating

Whether you like Dick Cheney or not, you have got to like this book. This is historical perspective at its purist. I'm not saying that Cheney's interpretation of every event in this book is right. Time and history will determine all of that. However, those who study history realize that contemporaries are often long dead before the final stories can be told. This is as close to the historical events as we are going to get. Cheney was involved in so many positions of responsibility that his stories and candor about those events are worth getting this book. Edward Hermann does a great job of reading. Download the book and listen to it as if you are listening to any person tell his or her life's story -- and you will love it.

20 hours of Wikipedia

In any biography you are bound to have a section the author is famous for, in Dick Cheneys case alot of his 'fame' has to with the wars in Afghanistan & Iraq. Sadly this is something he is so aware of, that these wars along with his work as secretary of defense becomes the focal point of the book. Don't get me wrong this was in part why i bought the book, but I also wanted to learn more about the man Dick Cheney, which only rarely happens.

Most off the book come of as a Wikipedia article, with few glimpses of what makes the man do what he does. This 'cold' calculating style may also be why he comes of as almost infallible, I lost count of the number of times he said 'It was the right decesion then and it still is...' Now I do not believe in anyone being perfect all the time, and part of a fun memoir is also learning about the persons regrets, but Cheney has only one. This was the part where he shot a hunting partner, but even here comes up with an explanation that makes it seem reasonable that he shot a man on the ground while hunting birds.

Don't get me wrong there are many mistakes mentioned, but it is either 'we were right in...' or 'sadly he went with his own decision', so the mistakes were never Cheneys and usually he knew the right choice.

I come away from the book feeling I have learned very little about the man Dick Cheney, but quite a bit about the VP & secretary of Defence Dick Cheney, sadly most I could learn on Wikipedia or in other books.