Sarah: How a Hockey Mom Turned Alaska's Political Establishment Upside Down [ILLUSTRATED] (Hardcover)

by Kaylene Johnson (Author)
Key Phrases: Republican Party, Sarah Palin, Judy Patrick (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review
"Sarah Palin is a politician of eye-popping integrity." -- Fox News Network

"There's an undeniable national buzz surrounding the first-term governor, seen by many Republicans as a fresh, new face to represent the party's future." -- Chicago Tribune

"Wildly Popular, she's more than just a pretty face." -- Alaska Magazine --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 159 pages
• Publisher: Epicenter Press; 1st.EDITION 2008 edition (April 1, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0979047080
• ISBN-13: 978-0979047084
• Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 5.5 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (146 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #242,402 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

  Popular in these categories: (What's this?)

  #21 in	Books > Biographies & Memoirs > Biographies > Hockey
  #71 in	Books > Nonfiction > Social Sciences > Political Science > Levels of Government > Local Government

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

121 of 163 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Sarah Palin: An American Woman, September 10, 2008

By	Kindle2-vbspurs (Expat Living In Sunshine) - See all my reviews

As a foreigner to this country, I have been able to observe the American political process dispassionately, and yet with a very interested eye.

We can all safely say, now, that the Presidential Election campaign of 2008 has been the most singular, topsy-turvy presidential run in American history. Only 1912 comes close, for remarkably similar reasons -- a clash of ideologies and personalities which finally coincided one very special year.

What makes this election so very different, is that we have had not one, but now two women running for the highest positions in the land: something few people in the world would've imagined a scant 4 years ago. Combined with the intricate life story of Senator Barack Obama, the first black American to be nominated by a major political Party, and a war hero of the stature of Senator John McCain, it all makes for a potent message of change and diversity, no matter which side you favour.

I have bought this book twice. Once at Barnes & Noble, after learning that Amazon had sold out all its paperback copies. And now in Kindle format.

(If you have bought the Kindle format, you'll be happy to know that even the photographs are included, in the "Photo Insert" section in the Table of Contents. Of course, they are in the usual e-Ink, black and white version)

Since author Kaylene Johnson has been much in the news, notably interviewed by Greta van Susteren for a Fox News special on Palin, and of course, so has Governor Sarah Palin herself, one would think that this thin (145 pp) book might not be of use in learning about the Alaskan maverick.

Perhaps it might be thin, but it has some poignant revelations not just about her upbringing, but about her character.

Some points I can bring out, to whet your whistle:

- She is a voracious newspaper reader, and in fact, this contributed to her very early myopia and glasses-wearing. Her younger sister remembers Sarah Heath, as she was then, devouring books as well. She was a straight-A student, both in high school and in University.

- Her father, Chuck, was a legendary figure in her school, and taught all 4 of his children to enjoy the outdoors, to hunt, fish, and run even in negative 40 degree Fahrenheit weather. Her mother, also Sarah (known as Sally), was a happy, approachable woman, in many ways who her namesake resembles.

- She attended 4 not 6 Universities, as several rumour sites had it. University of Hawaii in Hilo (she and her 3 gal pals left due to incessant rain); Hawaii Pacific University (where she and 1 of the girls who remained, shared a flat, sometimes visiting the set of Magnum PI); North Idaho College in Coeur d'Alene (where she did something naughty, requiring a visit to her Dean's Office); and finally, the University of Idaho, where she was graduated with a major in journalism, and a minor in political science.

- Her husband, a standout basketball player, is from native Alaskan stock and extremely hearty. Once when salmon fishing in bad weather, her fingers were crushed, but after Todd Palin deposited her in the mainland to be stitched up, she returned later and continued fishing.

- She has made a fair amount of enemies within her OWN Party, running as a reformer since the very beginning in the political cycle of PTA committee member, in the city council, as mayor and as Governor. One gets the sense that Alaskan politics, at once so exotic to so many of us, is full of the same entrenched power politics and corruption that plagues so many places.

There are many reasons to buy this book. It is neither a hagiography, nor does it portray a negative picture of Governor Palin either.

Unfortunately, the rumours which have surrounded this woman (in one site I saw over 71 of them, and even Snopes and Politifacts.com haven't been able to target all of them) since her candidacy was announced, make for a very confused portrait.

If you come to this book wanting dirt on her, I'd say it's a waste of your time. But if you come with genuine interest, and an open mind, I definitely recommend it to all.

95 of 129 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 (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (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.

26 of 34 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Inspiring, September 17, 2008

By	R. Fisher "Media and Book Nut" (The Real OC !) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

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

I read this book while my 2 year napped in about 3 1/2 hours. I was blown away at Sarah Palins politcal sucess. For the first time in my life I am proud to really support this woman's candidancy. This book is simple and easy to read through. It is NOT all fluff, it is factual and to the point. I wanted to have an open mind about Sarah Palin's experience and was not afraid to be somewhat critical of her. She DID SHAKE THINGS UP IN ALASKA. Living in the Left Coast (CA). The way things are in Alaska makes me want to pack my bags right now and raise a family in Wasilla. Sarah Palin is an amazing true Feminist, she is what TRUE WOMAN IS ALL ABOUT AND I CAN'T WAIT TO SEE WHAT SHE DOES IN WASHINGTON. GO SARAH!