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Unbelievable: My Front-Row Seat to the Craziest Campaign in American History Hardcover – September 12, 2017
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NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER
“Compelling… this book couldn’t be more timely.” – Jill Abramson, New York Times Book Review
From the Recipient of the 2017 Walter Cronkite Award for Excellence in Journalism
Called "disgraceful," "third-rate," and "not nice" by Donald Trump, NBC News correspondent Katy Tur reported on—and took flak from—the most captivating and volatile presidential candidate in American history.
Katy Tur lived out of a suitcase for a year and a half, following Trump around the country, powered by packets of peanut butter and kept clean with dry shampoo. She visited forty states with the candidate, made more than 3,800 live television reports, and tried to endure a gazillion loops of Elton John’s "Tiny Dancer"—a Trump rally playlist staple.
From day 1 to day 500, Tur documented Trump’s inconsistencies, fact-checked his falsities, and called him out on his lies. In return, Trump repeatedly singled Tur out. He tried to charm her, intimidate her, and shame her. At one point, he got a crowd so riled up against Tur, Secret Service agents had to walk her to her car.
None of it worked. Facts are stubborn. So was Tur. She was part of the first women-led politics team in the history of network news. The Boys on the Bus became the Girls on the Plane. But the circus remained. Through all the long nights, wild scoops, naked chauvinism, dodgy staffers, and fevered debates, no one had a better view than Tur.
Unbelievable is her darkly comic, fascinatingly bizarre, and often scary story of how America sent a former reality show host to the White House. It’s also the story of what it was like for Tur to be there as it happened, inside a no-rules world where reporters were spat on, demeaned, and discredited. Tur was a foreign correspondent who came home to her most foreign story of all. Unbelievable is a must-read for anyone who still wakes up and wonders, Is this real life?
- Print length304 pages
- LanguageEnglish
- PublisherDey Street Books
- Publication dateSeptember 12, 2017
- Dimensions5.75 x 1.25 x 8.75 inches
- ISBN-100062684922
- ISBN-13978-0062684929
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Editorial Reviews
Review
“A cross between The Boys on the Bus and Miss Lonelyhearts” — New York Review of Books
“By the end of ‘Unbelievable’ it’s clear how wrong they all were in thinking they could run over “little Katy” (Trump’s snide name for Tur.) This book couldn’t be more timely, appearing as President Trump ratchets up his attacks on the news media….The more personal story Tur tells in “Unbelievable” is also compelling….One more subject that Tur richly examines is the outrageous sexism of Trump and many of his supporters.” — Jill Abramson, New York Times Book Review
“A quick and enjoyable read. . . . The chapters switch between key points in the campaign and Election Day, enhancing the feel of chaos that must have been a big part of covering the Trump campaign.” — Associated Press
“A must-ride roller coaster of a memoir. . . Unbelievable is best read as a reminder that it really did happen that way, we aren’t all crazy, it was that crazy.” — Hugh Hewitt, Washington Post
“A real page-tuner” — Morning Joe
“Tur’s brisk behind-the-scenes account humanizes the press corps, illuminates life on the campaign trail, and delivers on its promise: “I won’t pretend to explain it,” Tur writes, but “I will tell you what I saw.” — Publishers Weekly
“A great behind-the-scenes look about what it takes to have been a campaign correspondent. All presidents, all presidential candidates have had hostile relationships with the press from time to time. This current president has a totally different reaction to the press and a totally different take on press freedom than any president that has ever gone before him. And the person who most personifies his hostility, condescension and aggression toward the press is NBC correspondent Katy Tur.” — Rachel Maddow, The Rachel Maddow Show
“Outstanding” — Jon Favreau, Pod Save America
“One of the most insightful books I’ve ever read.” — Trevor Noah, The Daily Show
“A fascinating play-by-play of what it was like to cover a campaign that was far from ordinary.” — New York Post
“What elevates Unbelievable beyond one more pedestrian campaign memoir is Tur’s skill at capturing the constant indignities of campaign reporting while female, including the worst indignity of all: enduring the fixation of Trump himself.” — Carlos Lozada, Washington Post
“Even after everything we have learned, some of Tur’s behind-the-scenes details remain startling...The razor-sharp observations of [Unbelievable]...are the sort of thing you hear nowadays on The Daily Show or Stephen Colbert’s Late Show and never, ever, on any of the networks’ evening news broadcasts.” — The Guardian
“a quite revealing and powerful book” — The Atlantic
From the Back Cover
Called “Disgraceful,” “third-rate,” and “not nice” by Donald Trump, NBC News correspondent Katy Tur reported on—and took flak from—the most captivating and volatile presidential candidate in American history. Tur lived out of a suitcase for a year and a half, following Trump around the country, powered by packets of peanut butter and kept clean with dry shampoo. She visited forty states with the candidate, made more than 3,800 live television reports, and tried to endure a gazillion loops of Elton John’s “Tiny Dancer”—a Trump rally playlist staple.
From day 1 to day 500, Tur documented Trump’s inconsistencies, fact-checked his falsities, and called him out on his lies. In return, Trump repeatedly singled Tur out. He tried to charm her, intimidate her, and shame her. At one point, he got a crowd so riled up against Tur, Secret Service agents had to walk her to her car.
None of it worked. Facts are stubborn. So was Tur. She was part of the first women-led politics team in the history of network news. The Boys on the Bus became the Girls on the Plane. But the circus remained. Through all the long nights, wild scoops, naked chauvinism, dodgy staffers, and fevered debates, no one had a better view than Tur.
Unbelievable is her darkly comic, fascinatingly bizarre, and often scary story of how America sent a former reality show host to the White House. It’s also the story of what it was like for Tur to be there as it happened, inside a no-rules world where reporters were spat on, demeaned, and discredited. Tur was a foreign correspondent who came home to her most foreign story of all. Unbelievable is a must-read for anyone who still wakes up and wonders, Is this real life?
About the Author
Katy Tur is a correspondent for NBC News and an anchor for MSNBC. Tur is the recipient of a 2017 Walter Cronkite Award for Excellence in Journalism. She lives in New York City.
Product details
- Publisher : Dey Street Books
- Publication date : September 12, 2017
- Edition : First Ed
- Language : English
- Print length : 304 pages
- ISBN-10 : 0062684922
- ISBN-13 : 978-0062684929
- Item Weight : 10.4 ounces
- Dimensions : 5.75 x 1.25 x 8.75 inches
- Best Sellers Rank: #999,867 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #308 in Elections
- #453 in Journalist Biographies
- #13,925 in Memoirs (Books)
- Customer Reviews:
About the author

Katy Tur is a correspondent for NBC News and an anchor for MSNBC. Tur is the recipient of a 2017 Walter Cronkite Award for Excellence in Journalism. She lives in New York City.
Customer reviews
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Learn more how customers reviews work on AmazonCustomers say
Customers find this memoir engaging and well-written, with one noting it kept them reading through to the end. The book provides a fascinating account of the 2016 election, blending personal stories with reportage, and customers appreciate its humor, with several mentioning they laugh out loud while reading. Customers praise the author's reporting style and personality, describing her as an amazing journalist who brings her honesty and natural talent to the narrative.
AI-generated from the text of customer reviews
Customers find the book highly readable, describing it as a great memoir and thoroughly enjoyable story, with one customer mentioning it kept them reading all the way through.
"...It is an effective and enjoyable story as she takes the reader back to the beginning of Trumps campaign, showing how the crowds were strong and..." Read more
"...I did, however, like the book. It's well written and easy to read...." Read more
"...Her voice & personality resonate from the pages rendering the book authentic & not forced...." Read more
"...us learning about them?" Thank you, Katy Tur, for writing such a great book that I could finally unhinge from the fetal position, and laugh at,..." Read more
Customers find the book insightful, describing it as a fascinating account that is informative, with one customer specifically noting its enlightening coverage of the debates.
"...I found that aspect of the book in and of itself to be interesting, the way news gets done in real time...." Read more
"Smart, witty, & well written book! I totally loved it! And the title nails exactly how I felt about this last election!..." Read more
"...I appreciate the insights that Katy's reporting and this book offer about the dynamics and power of those gatherings. In 45's parlance-SAD!..." Read more
"...who by the way, has a great sense of humor, also includes information about her parents, a lost boyfriend, a potential new boyfriend and her own..." Read more
Customers praise the writing quality of the book, finding it extremely well written and easy to read, with one customer noting how the author infuses it with liveliness.
"...Hillary Clintons memoir of her loss, and for my money this is the better read. I much prefer learning about why Trump won than why Hillary didn't...." Read more
"...of the book in and of itself to be interesting, the way news gets done in real time...." Read more
"Smart, witty, & well written book! I totally loved it! And the title nails exactly how I felt about this last election!..." Read more
"...gain an appreciation for Tur's abilities to go on air with very little allotted prep time, and give a quickie analysis timed to seconds...." Read more
Customers appreciate the narrative quality of the book, which provides interesting insights and history, with one customer noting how it balances personal life details with reportage.
"...It is as much about her experiences and personal stories over this time period as it is about Trump and his followers...." Read more
"...Her story is told somewhat chronologically, but the chapters are interspersed with brief cutaways to election night, hour by hour...." Read more
"...(she felt like she was living in a van, only not down by the river), honest (she shares about how she needed some Spanx before she went on camera)..." Read more
"...Tur writes directly and, as far as I can tell, honestly about her 500+ days of tailing Trump as he went from the joke nominee to leader of the..." Read more
Customers enjoy the book's humor, describing it as wonderful and witty, with several mentioning they laugh out loud while reading it.
"...She has the quick intelligence and sharp wit that served her well in dealing with Trump, who alternated between treating her with disdain and respect..." Read more
"Smart, witty, & well written book! I totally loved it! And the title nails exactly how I felt about this last election!..." Read more
"...This writer, who by the way, has a great sense of humor, also includes information about her parents, a lost boyfriend, a potential new boyfriend..." Read more
"...I found her to be humorous (she felt like she was living in a van, only not down by the river), honest..." Read more
Customers appreciate the reporting style of the author, describing it as amazing and brilliant, with great insight into the life of a reporter.
"...I think they have a great crew of very talented, attractive, committed news reporters and analysts...." Read more
"...After all, Ms. Tur is an outstanding TV journalist with great insight into Trump, and more importantly, she was the one and only journalist that was..." Read more
"...The journalistic style of this work will make it a go to book for historians as they look back years from now, and her disarming decision to share..." Read more
"...how a journalist and news reporter can tell a story in an unbiased professional way and yet allow you to "feel" the experience as if you..." Read more
Customers appreciate the book's appearance, describing it as insightful and classy, with one customer noting it provides a good look at Trump and another highlighting its detailed coverage of the 2016 election.
"...I think they have a great crew of very talented, attractive, committed news reporters and analysts...." Read more
"...I thought the way the book was laid out is pretty nifty too...." Read more
"...She comes across just as real, just as knowledgeable, and just as smart as she does on TV...." Read more
"This gave an insightful look into what it actually takes for reporters to cover a political candidate, especially in a time when there is always a..." Read more
Customers appreciate the author's personality in the book, describing her as an amazing, honest woman with natural talent who comes through in her writing.
"...Her voice & personality resonate from the pages rendering the book authentic & not forced...." Read more
"...on the trail, and to present it to the reader in such a raw and authentic voice...." Read more
"...I was always impressed with Her courage, insight and dogged persistence...." Read more
"...Her story is wonderful. She is strong, funny, and not afraid to speak her truth. I loved the adventures with her parents...." Read more
Reviews with images

"It will be fun. And if you hate it, at least it will be short" (advice given to Katy Tur when told she would be covering Trump)
Top reviews from the United States
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- Reviewed in the United States on September 12, 2017Katy Tur reports on her five hundred plus days covering the Trump campaign, from its very beginning. Her book is being released on the same day as Hillary Clintons memoir of her loss, and for my money this is the better read. I much prefer learning about why Trump won than why Hillary didn't. To me it is the more interesting question of the two, and more historically significant as well.
When Trumps campaign began, Katy was an inexperienced political reporter but she soon proved more than equal to the task. She has the quick intelligence and sharp wit that served her well in dealing with Trump, who alternated between treating her with disdain and respect. Less respect than disdain, actually, kind of like his statement about Mexicans "and some of them, I'm sure, are good people". Trump was certain to notice her - an attractive young female reporter - and beginning with the very first campaign rally where he called her out by name, she became one of the most significant correspondents to cover Trump as the 2016 campaign progressed.
I've seen Katy Tur reporting on television throughout the campaign and since, and have been looking forward to her book. It is as much about her experiences and personal stories over this time period as it is about Trump and his followers. It is an effective and enjoyable story as she takes the reader back to the beginning of Trumps campaign, showing how the crowds were strong and enthusiastic from the very start. She was the first reporter assigned to cover Trump full time, was with the Trump campaign until election day, and she discusses not only the Trump that everyone saw on television but also provides enough insights from her behind the scenes experiences to give a more complete story of the man and the campaign.
Of course, some will (and have) criticize her for pointing out Trumps casual relationship with the truth. Her prominence in reporting on Trump was raised to a new level when she conducted a lengthy interview with him one-on-one early in the campaign. She angered Trump by being tougher than he expected, more assertive in her questions and rebuttals to him than he seems to have anticipated. How he reacted to her and treated her then and afterwards gives insight into Trump that is not surprising given everything that has been seen and heard over the past two years. It does reinforce the stories of Trumps behavior, his bullying and intimidation tactics with real examples that are documented and undeniable.
With respect to the support the Trump received from very early in his campaign, she makes it clear in her prologue to the book that she understands the frustrations that led to Trumps victory (and she gives many examples of them along the way). And yet, even more than other reporters covering Trump, the particular attention she received from him meant that she required security protections at many points as the campaign progressed and the level of vitriol increased.
I believe that this book will be one of the primary sources for those wanting to understand the 2016 election, an on-the-ground recounting of this reporters experience and observations. Others will offer more scholarly analyses of how the Trump and Clinton campaign strategies differed. This book focuses on the Trump campaign alone, Trump and his supporters and why they were so passionate about his candidacy. Earlier than just about any one else she predicted the strong possibility of Trumps win, after spending so many weeks and months attending his rallies and observing the enthusiasm of his crowds. The signs had been there from the beginning, they were simply too unexpected for most campaign watchers to fully comprehend.
5.0 out of 5 starsKaty Tur reports on her five hundred plus days covering the Trump campaign, from its very beginning. Her book is being released on the same day as Hillary Clintons memoir of her loss, and for my money this is the better read. I much prefer learning about why Trump won than why Hillary didn't. To me it is the more interesting question of the two, and more historically significant as well."It will be fun. And if you hate it, at least it will be short" (advice given to Katy Tur when told she would be covering Trump)
Reviewed in the United States on September 12, 2017
When Trumps campaign began, Katy was an inexperienced political reporter but she soon proved more than equal to the task. She has the quick intelligence and sharp wit that served her well in dealing with Trump, who alternated between treating her with disdain and respect. Less respect than disdain, actually, kind of like his statement about Mexicans "and some of them, I'm sure, are good people". Trump was certain to notice her - an attractive young female reporter - and beginning with the very first campaign rally where he called her out by name, she became one of the most significant correspondents to cover Trump as the 2016 campaign progressed.
I've seen Katy Tur reporting on television throughout the campaign and since, and have been looking forward to her book. It is as much about her experiences and personal stories over this time period as it is about Trump and his followers. It is an effective and enjoyable story as she takes the reader back to the beginning of Trumps campaign, showing how the crowds were strong and enthusiastic from the very start. She was the first reporter assigned to cover Trump full time, was with the Trump campaign until election day, and she discusses not only the Trump that everyone saw on television but also provides enough insights from her behind the scenes experiences to give a more complete story of the man and the campaign.
Of course, some will (and have) criticize her for pointing out Trumps casual relationship with the truth. Her prominence in reporting on Trump was raised to a new level when she conducted a lengthy interview with him one-on-one early in the campaign. She angered Trump by being tougher than he expected, more assertive in her questions and rebuttals to him than he seems to have anticipated. How he reacted to her and treated her then and afterwards gives insight into Trump that is not surprising given everything that has been seen and heard over the past two years. It does reinforce the stories of Trumps behavior, his bullying and intimidation tactics with real examples that are documented and undeniable.
With respect to the support the Trump received from very early in his campaign, she makes it clear in her prologue to the book that she understands the frustrations that led to Trumps victory (and she gives many examples of them along the way). And yet, even more than other reporters covering Trump, the particular attention she received from him meant that she required security protections at many points as the campaign progressed and the level of vitriol increased.
I believe that this book will be one of the primary sources for those wanting to understand the 2016 election, an on-the-ground recounting of this reporters experience and observations. Others will offer more scholarly analyses of how the Trump and Clinton campaign strategies differed. This book focuses on the Trump campaign alone, Trump and his supporters and why they were so passionate about his candidacy. Earlier than just about any one else she predicted the strong possibility of Trumps win, after spending so many weeks and months attending his rallies and observing the enthusiasm of his crowds. The signs had been there from the beginning, they were simply too unexpected for most campaign watchers to fully comprehend.
Images in this review
- Reviewed in the United States on November 10, 2020So little Katy Tur has written a book brimming with salacious gossip about Dear Leader. I'd rate it zero stars if I could just to give this diminutive news pop tart a whack on the noggin with a wet linguine noodle. She obviously had a double-bladed axe to grind as she hunted down the Orange Goblin during her 500-day safari across America. She even went one-on-one with Big D in the gilded halls of his dark tower and survived which is amazing since she is no bigger than a third-place watermelon at the state fair.
I did, however, like the book. It's well written and easy to read. The events of four years ago are still fresh in my mind, but Little Katy has buffed them up and added some new details along with a few reminders of the momentous campaign that culminated in the election of Donald J. Trump to high office much to the dismay of Hillary Rodham Clinton and her minions. I finished book on Thursday, November 5, 2020, as the Biden/Trump presidential election remained undecided while votes were tallied in battleground states... a fresh dose of democracy, jeez, it's invigorating!
Although the book is centered around Trump's campaign, we are given a ride-along with Little Katy as an embedded reporter. I found that aspect of the book in and of itself to be interesting, the way news gets done in real time. I also enjoyed the details of Little Katy's personal life and little Little Katy's family life (when she was a young Little Katy with her mom and dad). It provided the same kind of author/story angles as found in Pure Land by Annette McGivney and the personal vignettes Jon Krakauer sprinkles in his writing.
Small tidbits like the hairdresser offering to help out in a dingy public restroom were such a welcome relief. Surprising how these little flickers of kindness give me hope in this increasingly crowded and cranky world. So then, Little Katy, bedraggled reporter succumbing to the narcotic effects of honey peanut butter in another nondescript hotel room... Thanks for the memories.
Top reviews from other countries
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ABTReviewed in Germany on October 9, 2017
4.0 out of 5 stars Good read
I couldn't stop reading Tur's gripping account of her experiences covering the Trump election campaign. Especially her direct interactions with Trump, I find, reveal even more about the insanity of Donald Trump and his kidnapping of the presidency. Sometimes her narrative becomes too personal - most of us buy the book, I assume, primarily because we want more dirt on Trump, not because we are interested in Tur's personal life - but her own story is a compelling one and sheds some useful light on the life of a TV journalist. I like her writing style, it's punchy and to the point, not cerebral or overstated.
- Marcos LuzReviewed in Brazil on October 28, 2018
5.0 out of 5 stars This is a good book if you have spare time to spend
This book is not about Donald Trump. This book is about a journalist journey. The ups and downs and the side effects of giving up your life to dedicate your entire life to your career. The professional relationship between Donald Trump and K. Tur while 2016 election campaign is merely the behind the scenes of it all. Is this book essential on your library? of course not. Worth's the time? Yes, it does.
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JKReviewed in Japan on October 7, 2017
5.0 out of 5 stars トランプ大統領からlittle Katyと呼ばれた番記者
現トランプ大統領が泡沫候補の時からのNBC番記者、トランプからlittle Katyと呼ばれたKaty Turの2年間にわたる選挙報道記。トランプ独特の優秀性(ダントツに優れた直観力、人の話を良く聞き内容を覚えている等)を列挙しつつも、彼の横暴、尊大、その他の欠点も正確に記している。報道活動を生き生きと描写し、ごく普通のありふれた米国白人のトランプ氏によせる「異常な愛情」にある種の恐怖を感じてしまう。別のトランプ本、Devil's bargainと合わせて読むと興味が倍増。私はヒラリー氏を応援していたのだが、彼女の本を手に取る気がしないのは理性ばかりで感情を感じさせない彼女のカリスマ性の欠如だろう。余談ですが、Katyが両親を説明した章も面白いし、orka in bikini, wedgie等の表現もいいね!
- Carole ApplegateReviewed in Canada on September 23, 2017
5.0 out of 5 stars A deftly constructed narrative of journalistic experience, personal cost and the ugliness of the Trump campaign.
I was uneasy when I started reading this book as I worried how Katy Tur would frame what must have been a very ugly experience in covering a very ugly candidate for the presidency. To my delight she gave a sense of her experiences and with a light touch constructed a narrative that was both engaging and moving. I was left with a real sense of the kind of work that the team of reporters covering the candidates were asked to do, its personal cost and what we can learn about gender and misogyny in the 2016 election.
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Cliente de AmazonReviewed in Mexico on September 17, 2017
4.0 out of 5 stars Unbelivable: My front row Seat to the Craziest......
El estilo de la escritora no me gustó. El relato de la campaña de Trump es fascinante. Vale la pena.