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Even before the book was out, its juiciest bits were everywhere: Sarah Palin was serene when chosen for V.P. because it was “God’s plan.” Hillary didn’t know if she could control Bill (duh). Elizabeth Edwards was a shrew, not a saint. Overall, the men from the campaign garner less attention in these anecdote wars than the women and tend to come off better—but only just: Obama, the authors note, can be conceited and windy; McCain was disengaged to the point of recklessness; and John Edwards is a cheating, egotistical blowhard. But, hey, that’s politics, and it’s obvious that authors Heilemann (New York Magazine) and Halperin (Time) worked their sources well—all 200 of them. Some (including the sources themselves) will have trouble with the book’s use of quotes (or lack thereof). The interviews, according to the authors, were conducted “on deep background,” and dialogue was “reconstructed extensively” and with “extreme care.” Sometimes the source of a quote is clear, as when the book gets inside someone’s head, but not always. Many of the book’s events were covered heavily at the time (Hillary’s presumed juggernaut; Michelle Obama’s initial hostility to her husband’s candidacy), but some of what this volume delivers is totally behind-the-scenes and genuinely jaw-dropping, including the revelation that senators ostensibly for Clinton (New York’s Chuck Schumer) pushed hard for Obama. Another? The McCain camp found Sarah Palin by doing computer searches of female Republican officeholders. A sometimes superficial but intensely readable account of a landmark campaign (librarians take note: the exceedingly flimsy binding may reflect the publisher’s haste to rush the book to press). --Ilene Cooper
Review
“A smoking new book. . . . The real revelation in Game Change: Campaigns turn our politicians into lunatics.” (Tina Brown, The Daily Beast)
“Heilemann and Halperin have conducted hundreds of interviews to provide the inside story of the 2008 campaign. . . . It vividly shows how character flaws large and small caused Obama’s opponents to self-destruct.” (Jacob Heilbrunn, The New York Times Book Review)
“A thoroughly researched, well-paced and occasionally very amusing read. . . . The result is something that conveys the feel, or perhaps more accurately the smell, of one of recent history’s most thrilling elections, and it does so better than any of the other books already on the market.” (The Economist)
“I can’t put down this book!” (Stephen Colbert)
“Compulsively readable. Once begun, you can’t put it down. . . . Deeply and knowledgeably reported and presented with all the cool sophistication one would expect from two accomplished political reporters.” (Tim Rutten, The Los Angeles Times)
“Riveting, definitive. . . . A great campaign book. . . . Halperin and Heilemann got insiders to cough up astonishing artifacts, including emails and recordings. . . . Game Change is really interesting, and puts you deep in the middle of it.” (Kurt Andersen, Very Short List)
“The hottest book in the country.” (The Associated Press)
“Everybody talked. Anybody that tells you they didn’t is lying to you.” (A former top Clinton aide, to Politico’s Ben Smith)
“The best presidential political book since What it Takes by Richard Ben Cramer and Teddy White’s books. These are the types of books that got me into politics.” (Joe Scarborough)
“An explosive new book. . . . An absolute page turner.” (Soledad O’Brien on Larry King Live)
Book Description
"This shit would be really interesting if we weren't in the middle of it." —Barack Obama, September 2008
In 2008, the presidential election became blockbuster entertainment. Everyone was watching as the race for the White House unfolded like something from the realm of fiction. The meteoric rise and historic triumph of Barack Obama. The shocking fall of the House of Clinton—and the improbable resurrection of Hillary as Obama's partner and America's face to the world. The mercurial performance of John McCain and the mesmerizing emergence of Sarah Palin. But despite the wall-to-wall media coverage of this spellbinding drama, remarkably little of the real story behind the headlines has yet been told.
In Game Change, John Heilemann and Mark Halperin, two of the country's leading political reporters, use their unrivaled access to pull back the curtain on the Obama, Clinton, McCain, and Palin campaigns. How did Obama convince himself that, despite the thinness of his résumé, he could somehow beat the odds to become the nation's first African American president? How did the tumultuous relationship between the Clintons shape—and warp—Hillary's supposedly unstoppable bid? What was behind her husband's furious outbursts and devastating political miscalculations? Why did McCain make the novice governor of Alaska his running mate? And was Palin merely painfully out of her depth—or troubled in more serious ways?
Game Change answers those questions and more, laying bare the secret history of the 2008 campaign. Heilemann and Halperin take us inside the Obama machine, where staffers referred to the candidate as "Black Jesus." They unearth the quiet conspiracy in the U.S. Senate to prod Obama into the race, driven in part by the fears of senior Democrats that Bill Clinton's personal life might cripple Hillary's presidential prospects. They expose the twisted tale of John Edwards's affair with Rielle Hunter, the truth behind the downfall of Rudy Giuliani, and the doubts of those responsible for vetting Palin about her readiness for the Republican ticket—along with the McCain campaign staff's worries about her fitness for office. And they reveal how, in an emotional late-night phone call, Obama succeeded in wooing Clinton, despite her staunch resistance, to become his secretary of state.
Based on hundreds of interviews with the people who lived the story, Game Change is a reportorial tour de force that reads like a fast-paced novel. Character driven and dialogue rich, replete with extravagantly detailed scenes, this is the occasionally shocking, often hilarious, ultimately definitive account of the campaign of a lifetime.
From the Back Cover
“This shit would be really interesting if we weren’t in the middle of it.”—Barack Obama, September 2008
In 2008, the presidential election became blockbuster entertainment. Everyone was watching as the race for the White House unfolded like something from the realm of fiction. The meteoric rise and historic triumph of Barack Obama. The shocking fall of the House of Clinton—and the improbable resurrection of Hillary as Obama’s partner and America’s face to the world. The mercurial performance of John McCain and the mesmerizing emergence of Sarah Palin. But despite the wall-to-wall media coverage of this spellbinding drama, remarkably little of the real story behind the headlines has yet been told.
In Game Change, John Heilemann and Mark Halperin, two of the country’s leading political reporters, use their unrivaled access to pull back the curtain on the Obama, Clinton, McCain, and Palin campaigns. How did Obama convince himself that, despite the thinness of his résumé, he could somehow beat the odds to become the nation’s first African American president? How did the tumultuous relationship between the Clintons shape—and warp—Hillary’s supposedly unstoppable bid? What was behind her husband’s furious outbursts and devastating political miscalculations? Why did McCain make the novice governor of Alaska his running mate? And was Palin merely painfully out of her depth—or troubled in more serious ways?
Game Change answers those questions and more, laying bare the secret history of the 2008 campaign. Heilemann and Halperin take us inside the Obama machine, where staffers referred to the candidate as “Black Jesus.” They unearth the quiet conspiracy in the U.S. Senate to prod Obama into the race, driven in part by the fears of senior Democrats that Bill Clinton’s personal life might cripple Hillary’s presidential prospects. They expose the twisted tale of John Edwards’s affair with Rielle Hunter, the truth behind the downfall of Rudy Giuliani, and the doubts of those responsible for vetting Palin about her readiness for the Republican ticket—along with the McCain campaign staff’s worries about her fitness for office. And they reveal how, in an emotional late-night phone call, Obama succeeded in wooing Clinton, despite her staunch resistance, to become his secretary of state.
Based on hundreds of interviews with the people who lived the story, Game Change is a reportorial tour de force that reads like a fast-paced novel. Character driven and dialogue rich, replete with extravagantly detailed scenes, this is the occasionally shocking, often hilarious, ultimately definitive account of the campaign of a lifetime.
About the Author
John Heilemann is the national political correspondent and columnist for New York magazine. An award-winning journalist and the author of Pride Before the Fall: The Trials of Bill Gates and the End of the Microsoft Era, he is a former staff writer for The New Yorker, Wired, and The Economist. He lives in Brooklyn, New York.
Mark Halperin is editor-at-large and senior political analyst for Time magazine. He is the author of The Undecided Voter’s Guide to the Next President and the coauthor of The Way to Win: Taking the White House in 2008. He has covered six presidential elections, including during his decade as the political director for ABC News. He lives in Manhattan.
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Top Reviews
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I have become fascinated with presidential elections and election campaigns within the last year or so. In this spirit, I bought Game Change and Double Down because I was looking for some insight into the behind the scenes of a political campaign. As a disclaimer, I have worked on multiple political campaigns in my home state, so I know how crazy things can get during the course of a campaign. I almost would not be able to believe some of the stuff reported in Game Change and Double Down, but politics makes almost anything believable.
I think that’s the rub of Game Change. Yes, at times, it can venture into trashy gossipy, tabloid type writing. But should this be blamed on the writers themselves or is it an unfortunate commentary on the way politics seems to be done in this country these days where the twenty second soundbite matters more than a statement of substance and the scandal of the hour takes on greater importance than policy. I am not saying that Game Change is the absolute unvarnished truth, but it rings far truer, than I would like.
I found this to be a very enjoyable read, and despite its length (476 pages), a quick read as well. The authors provide a good picture of each player's character - the book is illuminating, funny, and, at times, a bit shocking. Every person comes across as very human with motives (sometimes not entirely obvious), flaws, intelligence (to varying degrees), various family relationships, and definitely egos. To some extent, this is a time-sensetive book for a lot of readers, the farther away we get from the election, fewer people there will be that will find the book interesting. The authors take the readers through the 2008 election, focusing on the three leading protagonists: John McCain, Hillary Clinton, and Barack Obama; and on the circus around Sarah Palin. There is also information on others, such as Joe Biden, Bill Clinton, John and Elizabeth Edwards, and others. At times, the story is hilarious. There's a lot of information out about all four leading characters, so I won't repeat it here, other than to say that the book is quite believable. I'm from Alaska and have followed Palin's career from almost the beginning. I think she is portrayed quite accurately, with this exception. Palin has a huge ego and is very money-hungry. She is smarter than she appears, but is intellectually lazy. She's also a born-lately right-winger; she didn't start out that way. She started as a moderate christian conservative. She fell into a lucrative niche as a right-wing pundent and has milked it to the hilt; to the point of resigning as governor simply because she could make so much money out of office. She's a brazen opportunist. Anyway, I recommend the book for anyone interested in behind-the-scenes national politics.
Just a note to fans of the HBO movie, which prompted me to go back and read this. I was surprised by how little of this book is actually about the Palin aspects of this groundbreaking election. The main focus by far is the Clinton-Obama rivalry and ultimate reconciliation. It's still a great book, but if you are looking for a lot more depth on the inner workings of the McCain-Palin campaign, there is not a lot of additional insight or detail here.
This is a well researched book. You will find that many of your favorite political figures have feet of clay. Heileman discloses the sleazy side of politics. After reading it I was depressed about Washington and all of the power brokers but, most importantly I fear there is no way to fix it without a completely public funded election system.
The book makes it obvious the system is entrenched with huge money and that creates power, greed and more greed. We can no longer believe one person one vote is an American reality. The Supreme Court's ruling that corporations are people entitled to vote with their checkbooks has changed the face of power forever! We have a system that allows them to give as much money as they want to any cause that furthers their interest. Good policy bills are rarely passed and even if they are they don't get enacted as written.
Heilemann spares no one including the main stream media as well as the 24hr propaganda networks.
If and when a politician leaves office the next likely career is as a lobbyist that sells to the highest bidder. Heilemann discusses the revolving door from the Capital Building to K Street or to other too BIG TO FAIL corporations.
I do not intend to stop voting but I will do it with a heavy heart realizing that it will not make a difference!
Reviewed in the United States on November 27, 2015
Verified Purchase
I read this book after watching the movie. While there are a couple insights in this book that you won't get from the movie, the movie is actually much better in terms of the psychological insight it provides into Sarah Palin- both her short comings as well as the difficult place she was put in. This book doesn't center around Sarah Palin's shortcomings or the Republican party's debacle in selecting her, rather it covers the entirety of both campaigns. I like it...but it doesn't hold a candle to the HBO movie, neither in insight nor in entertainment. I would recommend the movie because you'll learn more about the situation and it's extraordinarily entertaining. I would NOT recommend this book to anyone that saw the movie and then became interested in reading the book (which is what I thought). The movie is much better.
5.0 out of 5 starsThe election of a president in all the gory detail
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 2, 2010
Verified Purchase
Despite its heft this book is a page-turner, even if we all know what happens at the end. There's a good degree of detail about life in Hillaryland and Obamania that will appeal mostly to those interested in the machinations of the US political machine, yet this doesn't descend into policy wonkery (indeed, some would say neither did the Democrat campaign). It's the story of the personalities, the deep rivalries, the egos - oh, the egos! - and the media's capacity to surprise. Who now remembers the times when Wright, Ayers, guns and religion were threatening to derail Obama's candidacy? John Edwards? Giuliani?
This is, for sure, a story of the Democratic campaign: only a quarter of the book refers to the GOP although the widely trailed tidbits about Palin are both interesting to read and quite terrifying. I disagree with the reviewer who suggests that the authors are in awe of Obama: these are two very experienced journalists who understand what made him a standout candidate and the right man at the right time. There has also been criticism of the lack of sources for the work but if this is read as a piece of journalism rather than an academic history then this is not a big deal. If anyone disagreed with the narrative then you'd be sure to have heard about it.
If you're looking for a readable, enlightening reminder of the 2008 campaign then you'll find much to enjoy in this book. Recommended.
5.0 out of 5 starsA stunning evocation of the greatest political race of our times
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 20, 2010
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Race of a Lifetime is the insider account of Barak Obama's stunning rise to the presidency of the United States. Co-authored by two of the country's top political journalists, it relies upon some 200 hundred off-the-record interviews with campaign insiders (we're never told which ones) and moves along with the pace of a novel.
Although Obama is the central character, the narrative revolves around other key players, principally Hillary Clinton, but also John Edwards, John McCain and Sarah Palin. It altered my opinion about Clinton - who comes across as thoroughly decent, diligent and admirable character - but reinforces what I knew about the others.
Those who saw and loved the last two brilliant series of the much-missed West Wing are in for a real treat. The powerful characters and breakneck narrative seem more in tune with a fictional creation than the staid world of politics.
Yet truth is stranger than fiction, and had that programme's creators devised characters such as Sarah Palin, they would have been accused of parody.
Palin - with the egomanic and sleazy John Edwards - comes off worst in this book, although it is her ignorance rather than cynicism or ego that is her worst sin. It remains a terrifying thought that she could have been a missed heartbeat away from being the most powerful person in the world.
One of the books' best episodes recounts her cramming sessions on forign affairs. During a lengthy primer on twentieth century history, of which she knew nothing, one ofe her aides suggests a break. "No, no, no, let's keep going," said Palin with the apparent wonderment of a child. "This is awesome."
The book should be read with a few reservations. It's certainly not (thankfully) political science, yet not even a work of journalism - which would be properly sourced - rather a piece narrative non-fiction. We have to trust the authors' integrity to faithfully and even handedly deal with their off the record sources, and for some readers that will invariably be a leap of faith too far.
Yet in my view, the book is richer and more candid for being off the record and gossipy. It's well-written, fascinating and a rare thing among books of its genre - a real page turner.
Brilliant book with immense amounts of detail on the 2008 Presidential election. It's helped by the fact that the stories are so compelling (something the sequel to this book Double Down suffers from). The HBO film Game Change is solely based on the last few chapters of the book on Palin.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 22, 2010
Verified Purchase
I am only halfway through this book but am thoroughly engrossed. The pace is excellent, the writing style a perfect combination of factual detail, insight and intrigue. Anyone with even only a passing interest in the '08 elections will love it. Thoroughly recommended. Am already not looking forward to finishing it!
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 7, 2011
Verified Purchase
A fascinating insight into the background of an American Presidential Election campaign with vignettes of all the principal contenders and their supporters, to whom few readers will be enamoured. It is apparent that only very large sums of money will pave the way to the White House.
5.0 out of 5 starsbut such a good read! Now for the book on the 2012 ...
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 3, 2014
Verified Purchase
If you are interested in US politics, then this book is fascinating. The inside information, gossip and anecdotes are so "real" that one wonders if the authors have not concocted or imagined some of the incidents....but such a good read! Now for the book on the 2012 campaign, when it is available in paperback version.
4.0 out of 5 starsFor political junkies and recent historians
Reviewed in Canada on February 15, 2010
Verified Purchase
The election of 2008 was certainly one for the history books. On both sides of the aisle campaigns were run, nominations were made and elections were won that were very unique and included a wide range of variant personalities. While being a 'political junkie' myself there was very little information given that I already did not know in advance of my perusal. Some surprises, however, were the blatant denial that Hillary continues to have about Bill's dalliances, the crude and controlling personality that lies beneath Elizabeth Edwards's public personae, the complete lack of vetting of Sarah Palin and Bill Clinton's continued dominant and interfering personality. I was hoping that bit players such as Ron Paul, Fred Thompson and Dennis Kucinich would have come under the microscope as well but, alas, this book was only about the front runners. My other concern was there was very little 'scuttlebutt' that showed Obama in a negative light. Is this because there was none to be shown or could the authors not get beyond their own positive reflections of him to see his campaign in a more realistic light?
It is written in a griping and novel-like manner which makes it difficult to put down once started. It is an excellent review from behind the scenes of the McCain, Edwards and Clinton camps. One can only assume that the Obama camp had its share of problems, too but they simply went unreported or undetected.
A fast paced narrative of the 2012 general election campaigh between Barack Obama and Mitt Romney.
I had seen excerpts of the book floated in the press and was intrigued enough to purchase the book. The narrative was so riveting I completed it in a single weekend.
A great read for the human drama and behind the scenes look at the campaign. A bit light on policy analysis, so don't expect that in this book.
Ich habe dieses Buch gekauft, nachdem ich den Film 'Game Change' sah und muss sagen, dass ich positiv überrascht war. Während der Film sich auf die Ereignisse um Sarah Palin konzentriert, gibt dieses Buch einen sehr guten Einblick in die Ereignisse vor und während des Wahlkampfes 2008. Hintergrundinformationen, Einblicke 'hinter die Kulissen' und viele Passagen, welche die Kandidaten von einer der Öffentlichkeit weniger zugänglichen, damit vielleicht aber spannenderen Seite beschreiben machen dieses Buch zu einem Werk, das man kaum aus der Hand legen mag.
Geschrieben von Journalisten, beruhend auf einer großen Zahl an Interviews und Insider-Wissen, ist es hervorragend. An mehr als einer Stelle findet man Begriffe, die der eine oder andere vielleicht nachschlagen muss. Es wird auf Presseberichte eingegangen, welche in Deutschland meiner Erinnerung nach nicht bzw. kaum Erwähnung fanden, was es an mancher Stelle etwas schwieriger macht, zu folgen. Ein paar Grundkenntnisse bezüglich des Ablaufs und des Zeitrahmens einer Präsidentschaftswahl sind von Vorteil, aber in Zeiten von Wikipedia nicht zwingend. Alles lässt sich schließlich nachschlagen.
4.0 out of 5 starsOttimo libro, non si riesce a smettere di leggere
Reviewed in Italy on December 28, 2013
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Non te lo aspetteresti da un saggio, ma è scritto così bene da essere avvincente, specie per chi ha seguito (anche se da lontano) la campagna del 2008. Incredibile la quantità e la profondità delle informazioni. Per quanto possa giudicare da fuori, scritto in maniera molto "bipartisan", difficile giudicare se l'apparente simpatia per Obama non sia in realtà iun riflesso degli incredibili errori e difetti degli avversari.
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