Sarah: How a Hockey Mom Turned Alaska's Political Establishment Upside Down [Paperback]

Kaylene Johnson (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1, 2008

In 2006, an angel-faced but tough forty-two-year-old former small-town mayor named Sarah Palin became a long-shot candidate for Alaska governor demanding a higher ethical standard in state government. The timing of her reform message and a widening scandal produced a tornado that reshaped the political landscape. Surprising everyone, Palin thumped by wide margins both a sitting governor in the Republican primary election and a former governor in the general election to become Alaska's first female chief executive and its youngest ever. Through the campaign, and early in Palin's first term, the energetic and attractive mother of five achieved near-heroine status in her state. At one point, the new governor's approval rating reached 90 percent, prompting the Fox News Network to describe her as "a Politician with eye-popping integrity" and some national GOP leaders to tout her as a prototype of the "new Republican."

Editorial Reviews

Review

"A politician of eye-popping integrity . . . and probably the most popular public official in any state." - Fox News Network

Review

"Sarah Palin is a politician of eye-popping integrity."

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Product Details

• Paperback: 159 pages
• Publisher: Epicenter Press; Reprint edition (September 1, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0980082560
• ISBN-13: 978-0980082562
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.5 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (145 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #692,178 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Kaylene Johnson is a writer and long-time Alaskan who makes her home on a small farm outside Wasilla. She enjoys hiking, skiing, and horseback riding in the backcountry. She is married with two sons and two grandsons. Her award-winning articles have appeared in "Alaskan Wilderness Discovery Guide," "Alaska" magazine, the "Los Angeles Times," "Spirit" magazine, and other publications. She received a B.A. from Vermont College and holds an M.F.A. in writing from Spalding University in Louisville, Kentucky.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

29 of 37 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Good, Not Great, September 15, 2008

By 

J. Ader "Down to Earth" (St. Louis) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Sarah: How a Hockey Mom Turned Alaska's Political Establishment Upside Down (Hardcover)

This book was written and published months before Sarah Palin became the Republican Vice-Presidential nominee, so those harping about this being a political stunt for McCain need to go back and brush up on their reading skills: Published April, 2008. I'm sure now there will be other books written, both praising and condemning her.

This is a basic introduction to Mrs. Palin, a place to start for anyone wanting to find out about her early years.

96 of 131 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Character Sketch, September 7, 2008

By 

Michele Cozzens "www.michelecozzens.com" (Cloud 8) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Sarah: How a Hockey Mom Turned Alaska's Political Establishment Upside Down (Paperback)

This is a review of the book, not of Sarah Palin as a candidate. I felt I needed to get my hands on this in order to learn more about the person who has been thrust into the national spotlight and may soon hold an extremely high position in the U.S. Government. Her selection came as a surprise and I had to try and understand why John McCain chose her, other than because she brings excitement and intrigue to the ticket.

This brief book, a character sketch with many photos, is written in a straightforward style. It holds Sarah Palin in a very positive light. (Initially published before her selection as the GOP running mate, this version has been renamed and scooped up by people like me as an attempt to get to know her.) She is portrayed as an ordinary mom (a hockey mom) who, according to her father, has had an impenetrable stubborn streak since childhood.

The family came to Alaska from Idaho in 1969. She is the daughter of a teacher (and part time hunting/fishing guide) and a school secretary. They lived modestly. Her highlight reel in public life includes a captain's position on the high school JV basketball team, the beauty queen title "Miss Wasilla," and stint on the city council. This was her introduction to the good old boys network, which she has spent the rest of her career pushing aside. She was elected president of the Alaska Council of Mayors, chaired the gas and oil conservation commission and gained a reputation as a reformer. Next step: the Governor's office, which she's held for two years.

Does this brief introduction to this head-turning politician enable the reader to decide whether or not she's qualified to be a heartbeat away from the highest elected office in the land? No. Is it an interesting read? Yes. All party politics aside, she's a fascinating woman. And right now, this slim book provided more information than I could get anywhere else.

Michele Cozzens is the author of It's Not Your Mother's Bridge Club.

237 of 331 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Sarah Palin is a phenom. Alas, the book...., April 13, 2008

By 

Michael Schuyler - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Sarah: How a Hockey Mom Turned Alaska's Political Establishment Upside Down (Hardcover)

Sarah Palin, Governor of Alaska, is what Donald Trump would call "A Phenom." Frequently mentioned as a potential Vice President for the Republican ticket, she has energy, youth, and principle on her side. Her grass-roots effort to upset the entrenched and corrupt Alaskan political establishment is nothing short of amazing. She is a no-apologies conservative Republican intent on bringing accountability to government. Efforts to label her as a lightweight have backfired as she has out-maneuvered, out-talked, out-flanked, and soundly beaten her political opponents at every turn, much to their dismay that she doesn't play by their self-serving rules. Immensely popular, she is, in short, a breath of fresh Alaskan air blowing from the North.

This biography details Sarah's early life and upbringing and family and covers her early political career up to the time she is elected to the office of Governor. It's an interesting read, almost breathlessly optimistic. For those who savor details of Sarah Palin's life, this is a first step. However, it is painful to say, but though Sarah Palin has proven beyond doubt that she is no lightweight, this book, at less than 150 pages of actual text, is. It lacks any critical depth and leaves wide gaps in background information on the campaigns and issues involved. We learn about government-Big Oil collusion and corruption, but in only a few sentences. The chapter on former governor Frank Murkowski's downfall is a shy two pages long. In many ways the book serves as a pretty good hors d'oeuvre, but we are left starving for the main course, for analysis, critique, and depth of field. One gets the impression it may have been rushed to print in time for the election.

Frankly, I would be happy to support Sarah Palin for Vice President on a McCain/Palin ticket. I think she's up for the job, though Alaskans would be loathe to lose her. But she deserves a more in-depth biography than this happy-talk effort. I still recommend this book. It's all we have, and the color pictures are really good!

Update: August 29th. Well ain't that sweet. I wrote this review in April and here we are: Sarah Palin for Vice President. It's a great day!