Wednesday, Jan 20, 2010

Book Review: Going Rogue by Sarah Palin

Author: Sarah Palin

Publisher: Harper Collins

ISBN #:  978-0061939891

 Type:  Non-Fiction:Memoir

 Pages: 432 Hardback

Published:  November 17,  2009

Purchase:  $10.36 (HERE) 

The Summary

This is the memoir of the infamous Sarah Palin, former governor of Alaska.  Sarah’s story begins with her childhood and takes the readers through the time of her resignation from office (see video below).  Palin shares about her passion for her beloved State of Alaska as well as her love of sports, fishing, and the outdoors.  She shares about falling in love with Todd Palin, getting married, and building a family life together.  Palin details her political career and the road which led her to be chosen as John McCain’s running mate in the 2008 Presidential Election.   The story of her “American Life” ends with her hopes for America’s future and is open ended as she still has many years of life to live.

My Opinion

Sarah Palin's Photo For Miss Wasilla (1984)

Well over 3 million copies of this book have been sold since its publish date of November 2009.  It has been suggested that Palin quit her governorship and wrote this book for purely monetary reasons.  It has been reported that she is projected to make upwards of $7 Million for this book.  What do I say?  WHO CARES?  Isn’t it the American Dream to be successful, both in your personal and career lives?  If other authors can capitalize on their talents and their stories, why can’t Sarah Palin?  The criticism regarding Palin writing this book is petty and I have little regard for these nay-sayers.  This is America… LAND OF THE FREE!

Then, there are the theories that she didn’t write this book and hired a ghost writer, Lynn Vincent, to pen this book for her. If she did, she certainly wouldn’t be the first political figure to do so. Yet this topic is widely discussed amongst readers. I see it as just another way to tear her down. 

The Palin Family (Trig not pictured)

Where do my strong opinions about Sarah Palin stem from? I’m not happy with the way that the press has treated her. She’s be objectified in the press as some gun-toting-sex-kitten. As a woman, I find this insulting. Do you see pictures of Barak Obama super-imposed on the cover of Playgirl? Do you see photos of John McCain in a speedo? NO! The press made Sarah fair game. Why her? I think it has something to do with the fact that she’s pretty. Guys around this nation thought she was “a hottie.” What they should have been judging her on were her policies, her political record, and her ability to co-lead the nation with John McCain… not her looks.  But, her appealing outward beauty had something to do with those who ridiculed her.  Look at the way the press handled Geraldine Ferraro and Hillary Clinton.  I don’t think their head were super-imposed on porn-stars’ bodies. 

Mama Bear & Trig

What do my opinions about Sarah Palin have to do with this book? I believe that, besides those copies purchased for political reasons, it is her fans who are the ones who have bought or will buy this book. Despite all of the negative press about her, she has millions of fans (over 1.2 million on her Facebook page alone). Personally, I was curious to hear what it was like to go through the experience that she did in her race for Vice President. Even more so, I wanted to learn why she gave up her Governorship. This book provides those insights as well as a straight-forward look at who she is, as a person, a mother, a wife, and a political leader. She is a no-nonsense kind of person who enacted major changes in Alaska, especially the gas pipeline. You’ve got to respect anybody who goes up against Exxon Mobile and the big oil companies and win!

When rumors of a looming divorce were spread by the media, Palin remarks, “Have you seen Todd?”

Some of the highlights of this book included Sarah’s stories of fishing with Todd, discovering that she was going to deliver a baby with Down’s Syndrome, her “no more politics as usual approach,” the family’s Alaskan heritage, and stories about her dad.  She shares her most intimate thoughts about the pride and fear of sending a child off to a war-zone.  One of the most heart-breaking stories for me (being a mom) was the story of Piper’s Halloween while she was on the campaign trail.  Who readers meet in this book is a mother, a woman, and somebody who passionately loves her job.  Palin appears to be somebody who subscribes to no-nonsense politics and using common sense to lead either a city or a state.  She put her money where her mouth was and cut the excess State-funded dollars for the Governor’s lifestyle.  For example, she sold the private jet that her successor had paid for with tax dollars.  In addition, she took a pay cut.  Palin seemingly led the life that she claimed she believed in.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and purchased it via the Kindle Edition. I listened to Sarah’s story while driving to and from work and I never found it boring or tiresome. She definitely has her own style of speech, which can get to be repetitive at times. However, she provides insight into the inner-workings of our nation’s political environment and media. She proves the point that the media does not have to be accountable for half-truths and accusations. We need to work on holding our press accountable for sensationalizing things that are not true, evidential facts.

Sources claim that a completely different picture of Palin is painted in the new bestseller Game Change. This provocative book dishes not only on Palin, but the McCains, Clintons, and Obamas as well.

After going through the scrutiny that she has, I believe she’s managed to maintain her dignity and class. I appreciate her book for many reasons and believe that she is a ground-breaker, just like Obama, for change in the future. Whether you’re a Republican or a Democrat, this book is a worthy read… especially if you are a woman!

The Rating

On Sher’s “Out of Ten Scale,” I am giving Going Rogue a rating of 9 out of 10.  I found a greater understanding of a successful woman in America’s history.

FTC Disclosure:  I purchased this book via Amazon.com for my Kindle.  Clicking on the either the photo of the book cover or the link next to the purchase price stated above will bring you to my Amazon Affiliate page.  In addition, clicking on the Game Change link will bring you to my Amazon.com Affiliate page.  No purchases are necessary.

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