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The Real Romney Hardcover – January 17, 2012

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Michael Kranish (Author)
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Michael Kranish (Author),
Scott Helman (Author)
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Scott Helman (Author)
4.0 out of 5 stars 62 customer reviews
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Product Details

  • Hardcover: 416 pages
  • Publisher: Harper; First Edition edition (January 17, 2012)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0062123270
  • ISBN-13: 978-0062123275
  • Product Dimensions: 6 x 1.3 x 9 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds
  • Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (62 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #863,663 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Top Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 starsWould The Real Mitt Romney Please Step Forward?
By Frederick S. Goethel VINE VOICE on January 26, 2012
Format: Hardcover Verified Purchase
The authors, two reporters for a large New England newspaper, have written the most definitive biography of Mitt Romney that I have seen to date. Several book were written about Romney prior to the 2008 election, but none were nearly as complete nor did any have a true history of his life.

Beginning with Romney's ancestors, and proceeding to this day, the authors cover almost every aspect of Romney's life. He has, by all measures, led a pretty good life without the challenges that most people face as they go through life. He was in a severe automobile wreck when he was serving on his Mormon mission, but short of that, his life has been good to Mitt.

While reading the biography, it struck me that there are really three distinct Mitt Romney's. One side is the Mitt Romney that his wife, kids and friends know at home, one is the distinct "work" Mitt that is known to fellow workers and colleagues and then there is the "Mormon Church" Mitt that fellow members of his faith see when he is in leadership positions within the church. Each is different and distinct from the others, and makes figuring out the real Mitt a challenge.

When Romney is at home, he is a loving father who is devoted to his wife and children. He also appears to have fun, leaves his work at the office and is a prankster. He has no problem going on vacation and relaxing when it is appropriate. The fact that he is still strongly in love with his wife after over 40 years speaks volumes about him as a family man and he deserves credit for that. In addition, he is giving and regularly helped neighbors who had problems, without seeking any attention or credit for his actions.Read more ›
11 Comments 111 people found this helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No Sending feedback...
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4.0 out of 5 starsRomney Like You've Never Seen Him Before
By H. P. on January 19, 2012
Format: Hardcover Verified Purchase
I think an evaluation of The Real Romney turns on whether it provides new information to the reader, information that would help a swing voter make up his or her mind. I think Kranish & Helman succeed on that metric. We learn that Romney's family history is deeply intertwined with the history of Mormonism and that he served an important role as a lay leader in the church. We learn that as a lay leader Romney counseled a woman facing a difficult birth against having an abortion. We learn that Romney keeps most acquaintances distant, but can be silly (or more, dorky) with his family and close friends. We learn that Romney assiduously courted gay voters during his run for the U.S. Senate. We learn that Romney ran the first post-9/11 Olympics (ok, I probably already should have known this one). We learn that Romney's advisors counseled against his ill-fated decision to focus on social issues during his 2008 presidential run.

Most of the book is devoted to the history of Romney's patriline post-Mormonism conversion sparked immigration, his work for his church, his career at Bain, his U.S. Senate run, his tenure as head of the Winter Olympics, and his tenure as governor of Massachusetts. His 2008 and 2012 presidential runs are given pretty cursory review. An entire chapter is devoted to Romneycare.

The Real Romney compares very favorably with a similar just-in-time-for-the-election biography from 2008--Obama: From Promise to Power by Chicago Tribune reporter David Mendell. Mendell's biography was pretty thin and wound up relying heavily on Obama's own book to cover Obama's early life. Romney has a much longer political career (going back to his U.S.Read more ›
7 Comments 66 people found this helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No Sending feedback...
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3.0 out of 5 starsGreat on Early Biographical History, Weak on the Campaigns
By Heather Martin on April 14, 2012
Format: Hardcover Verified Purchase
I write as a Romney supporter who has followed both the '08 and '12 campaigns very closely. The book started out strong: very informative, quite impartial, the authors clearly somewhat impressed by the man's strengths. The tactful handling of the LDS religion background was particularly impressive.

Unfortunately, about halfway through, as political issues and campaigns entered the story, the authors were no longer able to disguise their own political leanings. The objections of every critic, credible or not, begin to be taken at face value and woven in to the narrative. Incredibly, by this reading, McCain (by all accounts a lousy debater) is portrayed as thrashing Romney soundly in the debates. Quality research was replaced with tedious group think (e.g. Romney only won Nevada because of its heavy LDS population--then only 7%). Even very considerable accomplishments (moving from being a political unknown at mere 4% polling to knocking out household names polling at 44%, namely Giuliani, and also McCain until his fluke last-minute bounce) was completely discarded.

The writers at The Boston Globe have always looked down their noses at this candidate who has more successes under his belt than any other candidate in recent memory, Republican or Democrat, having rescued dozens of troubled enterprises at the private, Olympic, and state levels.

The authors offer an unusually deep and thorough background--then disappointingly jump right back into lockstep with their colleagues at the Globe.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 starsit is time for an amazing rescue by Governor Romney

This is an outstanding biography of Governor Mitt Romney, written by two reporters from The Boston Globe. Read more

Published 14 months ago by John E. Wade II
5.0 out of 5 starsRomney should of been our President and saved our Country

Honest, open ideas, written very well

Published 17 months ago by WendyFarrier1
3.0 out of 5 starsThree Stars

Too much airbrushed out!

Published 19 months ago by Ohio Guy
4.0 out of 5 starsThe Real Romney

This book showed many facets of Mitt Romney his personality and character but even after reading it I still feel that somehow I still dont quite know who the real Mitt Romney is.

Published 23 months ago by Rebecca Allison
4.0 out of 5 starsGood info

Good book. Shows Romney's true colors.
They are not red, white and blue.

Published 23 months ago by Internet buyer
4.0 out of 5 starsthis was a very good book. The ending dragged

Overall, this was a very good book. The ending dragged, however. I really liked how the author clarified who Romney really was, especially his compassion when his employee's 16... Read more

Published 24 months ago by CLAIRE
5.0 out of 5 starsSummary for my review

I haven't had time to read the complete book, but I love Mitt Romney and what he stands for. He is a wonderful man and has done so much for others.

Published on June 13, 2014 by beehive99
5.0 out of 5 starsaccurate

A very accurate and unbiased portrayal of mitt romney. Successful businessman, committed mormon family man, middling politician with a tin ear.

Published on May 3, 2014 by Michael Kurtz
5.0 out of 5 starsWhat an honorable person

The United States of America missed out when this man wasn't elected. It saddens me how little the American people know about who gets elected. Read more

Published on April 19, 2014 by Sandollar
5.0 out of 5 starsAmerican Idol!!!!

The Real Romney more than met my standards!!!!! He should have been elected President!!!!!! First class religious and family man!!!

Published on March 27, 2014 by Patricia Howes

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