Courage and Consequence: My Life as a Conservative in the Fight
Item Description
From the moment he set foot on it, Karl Rove has rocked America's political stage. He ran the national College Republicans at twenty-two, 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. In the course of putting the record straight, Rove takes on Democratic leaders like Harry Reid and Tom Daschle who acted cynically or deviously behind closed doors, and even Republicans who lacked backbone at crucial moments.
Among other controversial topics Rove addresses, he sets the record straight on:
- The facts of his mother's suicide and reports of his father's alleged homosexuality
- The accusation that he bugged his own office in Texas
- The real story of how George W. Bush defeated governor Ann Richards
- The details of Bush's stealth campaign to win the White House in 2000
- Why Bush cratered in New Hampshire but prevailed in South Carolina in 2000
- How Bush chose Dick Cheney as his presidential running mate
- How the Bush campaign managed Bush's DUI
- The defection of Vermont Senator Jim Jeffords
- The frustrating challenges of Hurricane Katrina
- The facts behind Rove's painful three years fending off a federal indictment, and
- Why Obama is wrong on healthcare.
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 readers behind the scenes of
- The bitterly contested 2000 presidential contest
- Every tense minute aboard Air Force One on 9/11
- The decision to go to war in Afghanistan and Iraq, and
- The hard-won 2004 reelection fight.
Rove is candid about his mistakes in the West Wing and in his campaigns, and talks frankly about the heartbreak of his early family years. He spells out what it takes to win elections and how to govern successfully once a candidate has won. But Courage and Consequence is ultimately about the joy of a life committed to the conservative cause, a life spent in political combat and service to country, no matter the costs.
Product Details
- Author: Karl Rove
- Publication Date: 2010-03-09
- Publisher: Threshold Editions
- Product Group: Book
- Manufacturer: Threshold Editions
- Binding: Hardcover, 608 pages
- Features:
- ISBN13: 9781439191057
- Condition: New
- Notes: BUY WITH CONFIDENCE, Over one million books sold! 98% Positive feedback. Compare our books, prices and service to the competition. 100% Satisfaction Guaranteed
- Package Dimensions:
- Dimensions: 930L x 610W x 180H
- Weight: 180
- List Price: $30.00
- ISBN: 1439191050
- ASIN: 1439191050
Customer Reviews
Average Amazon User Rating:
A Compelling Read
2010-09-08
Reviewer: Lisa H. Jones
Karl Rove's recently released book, Courage and Consequence, My Life as a Conservative in the Fight is part biography and partly a peak into the behind the scenes happenings during the George W. Bush administration. Not knowing much of anything about Rove's personal life, the first part of the book was extremely intriguing. Not at all what I had expected. As a political junkie, I was then fascinated by Rove's detailed account of elections, policy decisions and the inner workings of D.C.
The author's tone and perspective on his involvement in a slice of recent American History is personable, thoughtful and extremely humble. He leads you through defining events not only in his life, but also in regards to his role in the White House. Rove's detailed analysis of many front burner issues during the Bush Administration give you a peak into the decision-making and interpretation from some of the major players at the time.
Rove dives into political details with a great respect for not only the office of the President, but for George W. Bush himself. If you are expecting a political tell all that tells tales and calls the opponents names, you will be disappointed. In every instance, Rove has taken the high road in discussing political opponents, newsmakers and even the special prosecutor who pursued him.
At times, his storytelling is so candid you can hear the sorrow, pain, regret or humor in his voice. Finishing the book, you are left with an impression of an intense, extremely intelligent businessman and a great student of American history with an uncanny ability to comprehend modern day politics.
If you are not sincerely interested in politics from a center-right perspective, you might have trouble reading this book. It is long and extremely thorough. For those who followed Rove's career or the Bush Presidency, discovering the background of many controversial decisions and missteps ensures the book to be a compelling read.Courage and Consequence: My Life as a Conservative in the Fight
A mixed bag
2010-09-06
Reviewer: Stewart Robertson
Parts of this book were fascinating (I confess to a long term interest in the mechanics of politics).
Other parts of this book were really very petty (climbing into Hilary Clinton because she didn't stand up for a photo a few days after 9/11 when she probably hadn't slept for a week seems pretty small to me for example).
Still, other parts of this book were just plain weird (there would be few of even the most diehard Republicans that would agree with the rosy and highly successful assessment of the GW Bush Presidency that Rove gives us).
And finally, other parts of this book were highly instructive in what they didn't say (there is almost no mention of Colin Powell, Condoleezza rice or even Dick Cheney for example. Me thinks Karl might not have always played nicely with others).
Overall, it seems more of a defense of the GW Bush Presidential legacy than an autobiography.
Personal and honest
2010-08-19
Reviewer: David Durbin
This very well-written book starts off with the author's early life, complete with family problems. He clearly articulates the values in which he believes. The book explains the truth about widely reported distortions and lies which pounded us throughout his White House tenure. Those who feared him most had much to fear. He is and was an honest man.
Karl Rove book
2010-08-10
Reviewer: Linda Smith
As I near the end of this book, I highly recommend this extraordinary eye opener to history. Karl Rove shares a very challenging upbringing in the Midwest, yet overcame adversity over and over through shear determination and hard work to emerge as one of the finest minds in the political world. He sets the record straight with facts on Katrina, 9/11, the War, and the stress of running political campaigns. A front seat, as he puts it, to history in the making, I was most struck by his tireless search for truth, incredible energy, complete lack of pretension and his love for our country, it's political system, and the enormous sacrifice that a presidential staff goes through. It is no walk in the park to be on the inside, and in this day and age of liberalism in all facets of society, to be a conservative on the front lines is even more difficult. From a political view, it is a good read for any party affiliation to learn of what goes into a successful campaign. I enjoyed it very much.
Karl Rove
2010-08-10
Reviewer: Judith A Hartsock
My husband is reading this book now. The great thing is the price was so much lower than buying at a book store even with shipping. We will always see when we buy a book if Amazon has it first. Thanks, Amazon!
