Courage to Stand: An American Story [Hardcover]

Tim Pawlenty (Author)

Book Description

Release date: January 11, 2011

Long before he was considered a top prospective presidential candidate for 2012—even before he landed on John McCain’s short list of potential running mates in 2008—Governor Tim Pawlenty had already earned legendary status in conservative circles. In his hard-left-leaning home state of Minnesota, the man known as “T-Paw” somehow erased a $4.8-billion budget deficit while simultaneously reforming health care, creating jobs, improving education, and supporting renewable energy reform--all without raising taxes.

In Courage to Stand, Pawlenty reveals, for the first time, how he found the resolve to get the job done, taking readers all the way back to the lessons he learned as a boy in the gritty meatpacking town of South St. Paul. From the devastating early death of his mother to the struggle to work his way through college and law school and his epic political battles as governor, Pawlenty opens up about his deepest beliefs and shares his vision for a better America.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 320 pages
• Publisher: Tyndale House Books (January 11, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1414345720
• ISBN-13: 978-1414345727
• Product Dimensions: 6.3 x 1.2 x 9.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (24 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #728,823 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 17 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Great book and would-be president February 12, 2011

By Traditio

Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase

I liked this book alot. Pawlenty was a guy from a working class background. He worked in the stock yards in the crud as a kid. Heand his wife went to law school. They worked hard, and he went to the state house. He guided Minnesota, a blue state, with great ideas and low taxes. He writes a very clear message of great ideas and working with other people. He would be a good President.

32 of 47 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Good look at a great man January 18, 2011

By JeffSto

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

Funny how all the liberals come on here bashing a book they've never read by a guy they know nothing about. I knew plenty about Pawlenty (rhyme intended) before I read the book, but I wanted to read it before I came on here reviewing it. I can say this: I like him even more now that I've read it.

The book itself was a good read, albeit imperfect. I liked the anecdotes but sensed that some of it may have been a tad contrived. But what politician's book can't be accused of that? It is invaluable not just for its readability but rather for what it reveals about a man sure to play a role on the national stage.

His critics call him "ordinary" but I assure you this book reveals he is far from ordinary. How many other nationally viable republicans do you know who can appeal to independents while still being conservative? How many other republicans do you know who can get their point across in a powerful way without going on FOX news and screaming at everyone? I'm telling you, this guy has got what it takes to really jump out of the pack as a rational voice in a field of screamers. Read it for yourself and see.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Good Info, But a Dry Read June 13, 2011

By E. Olson

Format:Hardcover

There seems to be some unwritten rule that if you're going to run for President of the United States, you need to publish an auto-biography. And I can understand why: Each reader is a captive audience, allowing the candidate to speak about himself and his platform uninterrupted for hundreds of pages. But I think it's a great way to learn as much as you can about a candidate. Tim Pawlenty's book accomplishes the goal of familiarizing the reader with who this guy is and what his priorities are. Having said that, the writing style is a bit "vanilla" (sorry Tim, I had to make that joke again after your appearance on FOX), much like his style of speaking. There are some cute stories in there, and an occasional eye-rolling joke, but there were also some unnecessary redundancies (I mean, how many times must you tell us the exact statistics of how you slowed down government spending in Minnesota?). Ultimately, if you're looking for a way to become better acquainted with the current Republican Presidential candidates, this will do the trick for Pawlenty.