Chris Christie: The Inside Story of His Rise to Power [Hardcover]

Bob Ingle (Author), Michael G. Symons (Author)

Book Description

Release date: June 5, 2012

New Jersey Governor Chris Christie has become a national Republican Party figure, famous for his blunt public statements, his willingness to confront powerful special interests, and his determination to change the ingrown, corrupt, backroom political culture of New Jersey. In just two years as governor, Christie has moved aggressively to reduce the state’s ballooning deficit, rein in lucrative entitlements for teacher, police, fire, and public employee unions, cut out-of-control government spending, and create jobs by reducing counterproductive business regulations. But beneath Christie’s combative public persona is an intensely loyal family man, whose deep roots in New Jersey shape his core values. Written by New York Times bestselling author Bob Ingle and fellow journalist Michael Symons, who have covered the governor’s political career for more than a decade, Chris Christie offers the first inside portrait of this fascinating man.

Drawing on interviews with Christie himself, his wife, Mary Pat, his brother, Todd, his father, Bill, his uncle Joe, and many longtime supporters as well as political opponents, Ingle and Symons trace Christie’s life. He grew up in New Jersey, surrounded by a big, roiling Italian-American family where his mother, Sondra, and grandmother Anne were powerful influences. Surprisingly, his political career nearly ended after a bruising loss in a local county campaign, but was revived when Christie was appointed United States Attorney for New Jersey. He soon became a feared prosecutor, and culminated an impressive string of successful cases with a multi-year investigation that resulted in the arrests of more than forty people, in one of the state’s most notorious examples of political corruption. Despite calls to run for president, Christie reiterated his commitment to reforming New Jersey.

Chris Christie: The Inside Story of His Rise to Power goes behind the scenes to reveal his family life, his public life, and what the future might hold.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Speculation abounds regarding Christie's political aspirations, and Ingle and Symons provide an excellent introduction to this provocative politician. "He's demanding, he's loyal, he's combative, he's entertaining, he's mouthy--but never boring." Neither is this book." --Publishers Weekly

"A thorough, exacting account of how an outspoken son of New Jersey became the hottest ticket in conservative politics." --The Hill

"Gov. Christie's ability to make the case for reform—and to defend his positions bluntly—has endeared him to GOP donors." --The Wall Street Journal

"Mr. Ingle and Mr. Symons have produced a very readable and illuminating portrait of Chris Christie that shows, whether you love him or hate him, he is a genuine article - and he is here to stay." --The Washington Times

About the Author

BOB INGLE is coauthor of the New York Times bestseller The Soprano State (St. Martin’s Press, 2008), which was made into a 2011 documentary. He is an award-winning veteran journalist and broadcaster who writes a syndicated column called “Politics Patrol.” His political blog, Politics Patrol, is read in all fifty states and more than seventy countries, and his commentary is heard frequently on radio and TV across America.

 

MICHAEL SYMONS is a veteran New Jersey journalist, currently based on Press Row in the New Jersey Statehouse in Trenton. He has covered seven governors and is well respected for his objectivity, balance, and thoroughness. His blog, Capitol Quickies, is a must-read for every politician and politically connected person in New Jersey and Washington, D.C. Symons did research for The Soprano State and has worked with Ingle for more than ten years.

 

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 320 pages
• Publisher: St. Martin's Press (June 5, 2012)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1250005868
• ISBN-13: 978-1250005861
• Product Dimensions: 6.1 x 1.2 x 9.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #521,928 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Bob Ingle is a syndicated newspaper columnist, a blogger read in more than 70 countries, a broadcast political commentator and author. His book, "The Soprano State: New Jersey's Culture of Corruption" sold out in three days and made The New York Times "Best Seller List" in the first week. He was graduated from The University of Georgia and worked in various states.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Ingle, you did it again!!! June 16, 2012

By Cecilia A. Cooper

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

You might expect that a biography of Gov. Chris Christie, one of the most powerful governors and a rising star in today's politics, would be refreshing, hard-hitting, fast-paced and fun. This book doesn't disappoint.

Gov. Christie's story is so compelling you wonder why it wasn't told before. Masterfully written, Chris Christie: The Inside Story of His Rise to Power is a very readable and revealing biography of the man who might be President one day.

If anyone could dig up dirt on Christie, that would be Bob Ingle, coauthor of the New York Times bestseller The Soprano State. Here he teams up with Michael Symons, also a veteran New Jersey journalist, to offer a definitive look at the governor. Ingle and Symons definitely have done the vetting for Romney should he give Christie the nod as VP.

Christie's reputation as an opinionated, aggressive, loyal and charismatic leader is enhanced by Ingle and Symons's rounded work. Coupled with two decades of research, it also is obvious that the authors had unfettered access to the governor, his family and staff.

This book is at its best when Ingle and Symons detail the stories behind Christie's successful convinctions on corruption cases and his agressive style that drew wide criticism.

This book is a must read. You better get to know Chris Christie: He's sure to be around for a long time.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Fascinating June 10, 2012

By Jo Cubberley

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

I am a loyal viewer of "Reporters' Roundtable" on NJTV formerly NJN), New Jersey's public television station. I have seen both authors on that program many times. When I heard about this book on NJToday (the daily news program), I bought the book immediately. The title is an accurate description - it is definitely an insider look at New Jersey politics and more. Well written and flowing, I couldn't put it down. I highly recommend this book to anyone with an interest in New Jersey -- both its politics and its history, because both subjects are completely intertwined.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

2.0 out of 5 stars Pastiche, read only if you're a true political junkie. July 30, 2012

By David L. Smith

Format:Hardcover

This book is the second book this yr that I couldn't force myself to finish; since I read an avg of 125 books a year and only reject 1 or 2 a year as intolerably boring and/or poorly written, this book is in rare company.

I labored through the first 110 pages, discovering one theme: the subject of the book is bluntly honest. Sure, there are other themes, but nothing running like a set of rails down the middle of this pastiche of personal, professional, and political anecdotes.

That said, I don't dislike Governor Christie, I just dislike this book. If you're a huge fan of NJ politics, I bet you'll like this book.