Customer Reviews

Bare Knuckles and Back Rooms: My Life in American Politics

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3 star:		(1)
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I am a self confessed Democrat and even I loved this book. The author is as about as right leaning as they come, but that did nothing to diminish the enjoyment any political junkie would get from the book regardless of what side of the spectrum you are on. The author has been involved in Republican politics sense the Nixon administration and in this book he givens a well written, interesting and humorous account of what he has been a part of. I would not call this book a kiss and tell, but he does give you the facts in a straight up manner, regardless if it makes his clients or himself look bad.

I found the time he spent on the Reagan and Perot campaigns the most interesting. The Reagan campaign because he really lays out the best way to run a campaign. This section of the book could almost be used as a how to tutorial on how to win a race. I found the Perot campaign info interesting for the exact opposite of the Reagan section. This guy was a flake and the author captures every odd, weird and down right stupid thing that happened. The author also talks about his relationship with the first President Bush and lets just say it is very eye opening. Everything he says about the father can be seen in the son today. His main point is that the Bush family feels loyalty is the most important trait a person can have and if you cross that line you will be paying for it for years.

I enjoyed the fact that the author did not spend exorbitant amounts of time on his pre political history or his family situation, just enough to set the stage. I may be unique in this regard so if you are looking for an in depth view into his family this is not the book for you. Overall I really liked the book. It read fast and it is so interesting I just did not want to put it down. I read a lot of political books and this ranks up there as at least one of the more entertaining. If you are interested in the campaign process or the Reagan and Bush years then I would recommend this book regardless of your party affiliation.

If you love political history or if you want to see the inner workings of the US government, this book is for you.
I read this book in two nights. I love material that was covered: Ed Rollins early years, his years on Reagan's staff, his time with Kemp, his campaign with Perot (I never realized Perot was that kooky of a man, the Christine Todd-Whitman camapaign.
The book is excellent. Rollins holds nothing back. This is one of the top 10 books I have ever read. I was glued.
This book is more of a history, than a how too. But even if you are looking for a how too, you will still love this book.
This book is worth more than 19 bucks.

Warning: There's quite a bit of foul language in this book.

I've always liked Ed Rollins and his honesty gets him in enough hot water to boil a frog. He tells how it's really done and how he learned the game from California Speaker Jesse Unruh. He tells of his split from the Democrats to Reagan and from the Bush GOP to Perot.

The Perot chapter, appropriately titled the "Campaign From Hell," is the ultimate hilarity. He has kind words for nearly everybody - even his enemies - but he also says some hilarious tidbits so that it's never dull. Among the things Rollins addresses:

A GOP sex scandal in the opening days of the Reagan era

What REALLY happened in the 1993 New Jersey governor's race

How an off the wall comment can get you in hot water

How Ross Perot decided a thirty-day campaign was better than actually running for office

All this and much more. And he correctly calls the 1992 Bush campaign the "worst performance by an incumbent in modern political history." This kind of honesty shows that whatever flavor your party - Democratic, Republican, Independent, or even if you hate politics - Rollins has something for you. A must read.

A terrific companion to this is Jack Germond's chronicle of the classic 1980 presidential campaign (Teddy Kennedy vs. Carter vs. Reagan), "Blue Smoke and Mirrors."

Too bad this book's 96 release was too soon to receive much boost from the internet. Would have liked to read of author Rollin's take on the Monica/Clinton sex scandal. Rollins is observant enough to mention qualities of public figures that are seldom mentioned (such as Barbara Bush's mean-spiritedness).

I found it interesting that despite his immense talent for political strategy, and the wealth and power this talent gave him, Rollins had a failed marriage to a single mother with 2 kids. Professional success did not lead to personal success until later in life for him. I hope Mr. Rollins will pop up on political shows more often.

Bare Knuckles and Back Rooms is political consultant Ed Rollins' journey as a political strategist in American politics. First of all you have to read this book just to receive the insight on Ross Perot and his insanity. I read this book awhile ago when I was in High School and laughed for hours about Perot. Also I love just hearing about the day to day operations of a political campaigns. If you are interested in politics or political campaigns this book is a must read and has to be in your library.

Rollins covers working with President Ronald Reagan, Ross Perot, Christie Todd Whitman, Michael Huffington (another great wild chapter) and George Nethercutt. Read this book if you want to hear a great story about Frank Sinatra from the Reagan campaign. It is a great window into the workings and thought of the Reagan administration as well. Another great political consultant read was "Bad Boy" about the late Lee Atwater, this one might even be better. If you are a Democrat or Republican this will be a great laugh and amazing insight. You will not be able to put this book down, and once you finish you will go through serious withdrawls which may include chills, shakes, or foaming at the mouth.

As one who works in the political arena, Ed Rollins book is look into the mechanism of the national game. It is a complex business run by complex characters (like Mr. Rollins). This book will either chase you away from politics or lure you into the facinating field. Although Rollins life in politics is the exception, the book is an honest thesis of his life and the choices he made while working in a fishbowl. If you have any love of politics I recommend reading Mr. Rollins book, but remember his life is not the rule in this game of getting people elected.

One of the most entertaining books I've read in the past decade, I recommend "Bare Knuckles..." enthusiastically to anyone who enjoys reading political anecdotes. Many of Rollins' anecdotes make me laugh out loud - for instance, his experiences during the student demonstrations at Washington University in 1970, and his confrontations with Senators Robert Packwood and John Heinz in 1982. Others provide unique insight into the character and motivations of politicians such as Richard Nixon, Ronald Reagan, and Ross Perot.

I bought this book for my 89 year young dad, and he has enjoyed it very much!

Rollins was a big-time name back in the good ole 1980s. At that point of the nation's history Rollins was somebody present at the creation of many events in that era. He was one the brains behind the image that became President Reagan. In the process, Rollins does a great job of recounting how he came to occupy this position and what he learned while he occupied this lofty position. He also recounts why he came to work for Perot, thereby ending his service as a Republican hatchet man. In the process, what we come to see is someone who was sympathetic to conservatives, but not with all conservative politicians like Gingrich and Delay. Why did he come to find himself in this position? Because he realized some government is needed and that you can't dismantle it all. Entertaining as well as informative.

Ed Rollins book is a must read for any political junkie (from the left or right). If you are thinking of running for an office or running a campaign at any level. Rollins' isight into the political back dealings with candidates and candidate spouses alike is unmatched.