sandyjhutti's review against another edition
5.0
Believer is filled with inside stories, funny and heart wrenching that give an insiders point of view on what happens back stage. I appreciated that Axelrod was honest about mistakes and humble with his wins.
anthraxx's review against another edition
3.0
Not a bad appetizer for the the main event (BHO's memoir after he leaves office will be the big show). But sorry Axe, I didn't care about anything that happened before you met the future President of the United States. I mean I learned a couple of things about Chicago politics I didn't know but meh. I came into this for one thing only which meant that about 30% of the book was Zzzzz :-)
One of my favorite parts (IRL too):
"After the speech, I caught up with many of the reporters who had come expecting to bury Obama. They all recognized that something extraordinary had happened. By taking on the explosive issue of race so directly and personally, Barack had transformed his own political crisis into an occasion for national reflection. The world, and even those of us closest to him, got new insight into how he would deal with the crushing pressures and complex challenges of the presidency. Our opponents had hoped the Wright tapes would tear him down and destroy his candidacy. Instead, he had never looked more presidential."
One of my favorite parts (IRL too):
"After the speech, I caught up with many of the reporters who had come expecting to bury Obama. They all recognized that something extraordinary had happened. By taking on the explosive issue of race so directly and personally, Barack had transformed his own political crisis into an occasion for national reflection. The world, and even those of us closest to him, got new insight into how he would deal with the crushing pressures and complex challenges of the presidency. Our opponents had hoped the Wright tapes would tear him down and destroy his candidacy. Instead, he had never looked more presidential."
lraeskat's review against another edition
4.0
Very interesting to get a behind the scenes look into campaigning! I liked the unique look into President Obama's time running for president as well as his time serving the country.
in2reading's review against another edition
4.0
A very readable and interesting insider history on Axelrod's career, which notably includes being a campaign consultant on President Obama's election as a Senator from Illinois and his two presidential campaigns, as well as two years as a Presidential advisor during Obama's first term. At times I felt that Axelrod came across as arrogant, but perhaps that is a necessary qualification for the media circus that electoral campaigns have become. He's a good writer and tells a compelling story. This book (along with Timothy Geithner's Stress Test) provides a rather chilling account of the economic woes of 2008-2011.
arva's review
4.0
Believer
I really enjoyed getting an insight behind-the-scenes of what it takes to run the campaign for our President and the players involved. I have a great deal of respect for David Axelrod for his hard work and commitment. I got a glimpse of how why he got started in the political arena.
I really enjoyed getting an insight behind-the-scenes of what it takes to run the campaign for our President and the players involved. I have a great deal of respect for David Axelrod for his hard work and commitment. I got a glimpse of how why he got started in the political arena.
aloyokon's review against another edition
4.0
I've never read political self-memoirs, so I wasn't sure what to expect. What I got was a brilliant look at politics in Chicago and the country over the past sixty-some odd years. Look at (and participating in) the campaigns of figures as famous as Harold Washington, Tom Vilsack, Carol Moseley Braun, John Edwards, Rahm Emmanuel, Daley, and Deval Patrick.
But of course, the main course was looking at the instrumental role that Axelrod played in the campaign of the first African American president of the United States. He goes over a lot of the events that occurred during Obama's candidacy, first term, and reelection, and Axelrod detailed not only the course of the relationship between Obama and himself, but also reveals his passionate support for this president and the initiatives that have been produced during his administration.
It's a good book. Count me in as a believer.
But of course, the main course was looking at the instrumental role that Axelrod played in the campaign of the first African American president of the United States. He goes over a lot of the events that occurred during Obama's candidacy, first term, and reelection, and Axelrod detailed not only the course of the relationship between Obama and himself, but also reveals his passionate support for this president and the initiatives that have been produced during his administration.
It's a good book. Count me in as a believer.
johnvco's review against another edition
5.0
Wonderfully written memoir with good humor and great empathy. Optimistic perspective, and a real view at the Obama Administration missing from much discourse. Axelrod’s story is one of persistence through ups and downs, and the rewards—and frustrations—of public service.
mwhelan's review against another edition
4.0
I did really enjoy reading this account of Axelrod's time spent in politics, but there were certain things that grated me.
For me, the most enjoyable parts of the book came early, when he discussed his introduction to politics in Chicago and at a more local level. The parts devoted to his work with Obama didn't hold my interest as much, probably because they felt much less honest than the other parts. While I don't think Axelrod was necessarily being dishonest, it/s clear that he holds Obama in high regard and his praise for the president is effusive. Any discussion of a fault of Obama's is brief, and while I expected that (he's not that far removed from his time working with Obama and he is still his friend, after all), it did take something away from my enjoyment of the book.
For me, the most enjoyable parts of the book came early, when he discussed his introduction to politics in Chicago and at a more local level. The parts devoted to his work with Obama didn't hold my interest as much, probably because they felt much less honest than the other parts. While I don't think Axelrod was necessarily being dishonest, it/s clear that he holds Obama in high regard and his praise for the president is effusive. Any discussion of a fault of Obama's is brief, and while I expected that (he's not that far removed from his time working with Obama and he is still his friend, after all), it did take something away from my enjoyment of the book.