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The Long Game: A Memoir Hardcover – May 31, 2016
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The candid, behind-the-scenes memoir of the of the Senate Majority Leader and GOP veteran.
In October 1984, a hard-charging Kentucky politician waited excitedly for President Ronald Reagan to arrive at a presidential rally in Louisville. In the midst of a tough Senate campaign against an incumbent Democrat, the young Republican hoped Reagan’s endorsement would give a much-needed boost to his insurgent campaign. He even had a camera crew ready to capture the president’s words for a TV commercial he planned to air during the campaign’s final stretch. Alas, when Reagan finally stepped to the microphone, he smiled for the crowd and declared: “I’m happy to be here with my good friend, Mitch O’Donnell.”
That was hardly Mitch McConnell’s first setback, and far from his last. He swallowed hard, put his head down, and kept going. Four weeks later, in the biggest upset of the year, his dream of being a US senator came true—by a margin of about one vote per precinct. By persevering, he’d be the only Republican in the country to beat an incumbent Democratic US senator.
McConnell learned patience and fortitude during his post–World War II youth in Alabama. His mother helped him beat polio by leading him through long, aching exercises every day for two years. His father taught him the importance of standing up to bullies, even if it meant taking the occasional punch. It turned out to be the perfect childhood for a future Senate majority leader. “In the line of work I would choose, compromise is key, but I’d come to find that certain times required me to invoke the fighting spirit both of my parents instilled in me.”
For more than three decades, McConnell has worked steadily to advance conservative values, including limited government, individual liberty, fiscal prudence, and a strong national defense. But he has always cared much more about moving the ball forward than about who gets the credit.
Now McConnell reveals what he really thinks about the rivalry between the Senate and the House; the players and the stakes involved when a group of political opportunists tried to hijack the Tea Party movement; and key figures such as Barack Obama, Joe Biden, and Harry Reid. He explains the real causes of the chronic gridlock that has so many voters enraged, his ongoing efforts to restore the US Senate’s indispensable dual role as a brake on excess and a tool for national consensus, and what ordinary citizens have a right to expect from Washington.
- Print length288 pages
- LanguageEnglish
- PublisherSentinel
- Publication dateMay 31, 2016
- Dimensions6.25 x 1 x 9.25 inches
- ISBN-100399564101
- ISBN-13978-0399564109
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Editorial Reviews
Review
"From Alabama country boy bedridden for two years with polio to Majority Leader of the U.S. Senate is a remarkable journey. Mitch McConnell tells this quintessentially American story with lucid prose and refreshing candor. A most valuable historical contribution to the politics of our time."
—Charles Krauthammer, author of Things That Matter
"Mitch McConnell’s The Long Game is a warm, candid, and captivating story of a young boy who conquered polio, loved the Brooklyn Dodgers, and set his sights on becoming a ballplayer before finding his life’s calling in politics. The steady upward climb from high school president to office boy in the Senate mailroom, from county judge to majority leader, is told with insight, humor, and telling detail."
—Doris Kearns Goodwin, presidential historian
"With candor and a sure sense of history--both of the nation's and of the Senate--Mitch McConnell has written an engaging and compelling memoir of a life spent in the arena. Readers seeking to understand where we are, how we got here, and what might come next will find this book at once entertaining and essential."
—Jon Meacham, author of Destiny and Power
"Mitch McConnell's absorbing memoir arrives at a moment when the nation needs and deserves what his book provides--a mature defense of the political profession by one of its best practitioners. His career in one of America's most complex institutions demonstrates that politics is both an individual craft and a team sport. His readers will acquire deepened respect for him, for the Senate and for the patience that politics requires and rewards."
—George F. Will, author of A Nice Little Place on the North Side
"Sen. McConnell has been a tough foe of President Obama and the Democrats, but in this revealing memoir he also takes on the tea party and other purists for engaging in futile gestures and preferring to make a point rather than a difference. Even if you don't agree with his politics, you'll find a wealth of valuable lessons to learn from his journey."
—Walter Isaacson, author of Steve Jobs and president and CEO of the Aspen Institute
"Mitch McConnell’s impressive career in the U.S. Senate demonstrates the power of strong leadership coupled with patience and perseverance. The Long Game is a fascinating and enjoyable read that vividly depicts the origins of McConnell’s tenacity and commitment to public service, and shares how-to secrets from an American statesman."
—Arthur Brooks, president of the American Enterprise Institute
About the Author
MITCH McCONNELL is the longest-serving US Senate Republican leader and longest-serving senator from Kentucky. He has represented the Commonwealth in the upper chamber since January 1985 and has been Senate majority leader since January 2015. Prior to that, he was leader of the Senate Republican minority for nearly a decade. Senator McConnell has been described by Frank Luntz as having “had a bigger impact on the United States Senate than any senator in my lifetime” and by one journalist as being “arguably the most influential Senate majority leader since Lyndon Johnson.” Twice he has been selected by Time magazine as one of the 100 Most Influential People. He has three daughters and is married to Elaine Chao, the secretary of transportation.
Product details
- Publisher : Sentinel
- Publication date : May 31, 2016
- Edition : First Edition
- Language : English
- Print length : 288 pages
- ISBN-10 : 0399564101
- ISBN-13 : 978-0399564109
- Item Weight : 1.05 pounds
- Dimensions : 6.25 x 1 x 9.25 inches
- Best Sellers Rank: #969,413 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #50 in U.S.Congresses, Senates & Legislative
- #663 in Political Conservatism & Liberalism
- #1,042 in Political Leader Biographies
- Customer Reviews:
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Customers find this memoir to be an engaging and well-written book that every American should read. Moreover, they appreciate its insights into the political institution, with one customer noting it provides a good look at a lifetime of politics. Additionally, customers value the book's educational content, particularly its lessons on self-discipline.
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Customers find the book engaging and entertaining, with one customer noting it's worth the time for those interested in politics.
"...An awesome read both from a political revealing and a personal revealing of integrity and determination...." Read more
"Worth a read. I notice that many of the reviews are biased by political party affiliation...." Read more
"...It is a must read for anyone who loves America. I do." Read more
"...to change their minds about McConnell but this book is worthwhile for them, too, if only to better understand their nemesis...." Read more
Customers find the book insightful, providing a good look at a lifetime of politics and the workings of the US Senate.
"Senator McConnell gives an honest, intimate, and entertaining glimpse of his life, the story of an average American boy with above average..." Read more
"...An awesome read both from a political revealing and a personal revealing of integrity and determination...." Read more
"...As a great American statesman and patriot, Senator McConnell allows us into his life to experience the journey of a man who loves his country...." Read more
"...seat to history and in this book shares some interesting insights into the individuals and institutions who run the U.S.A." Read more
Customers appreciate the educational value of the book, highlighting its wonderful self-discipline and determination, with one customer noting how it helped them grow as individuals.
"...He has heart and humor but wonderful self discipline to accomplish what most people wouldn't even think of, much less attempt...." Read more
"...a political revealing and a personal revealing of integrity and determination. May God continue to bless Senator McConnell." Read more
"...There were notable life lessons - patience, perseverance, focus, loyalty, preparation, clear vision and goals, keeping score - and ample examples..." Read more
"...This book helped me to grow as an individual and understand that there is always more than one way to look at things, and that both views while..." Read more
Customers find the book well written and easy to read.
"An extremely well written memoir about one of our most interesting and powerful political leaders of our time...." Read more
"Superbly written, insightful and delightful. He's a lot more of a man than he is made out to be. Smart, tough and never quits...." Read more
"good read, interesting information" Read more
"Good read" Read more
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Top reviews from the United States
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- Reviewed in the United States on May 12, 2017Senator McConnell gives an honest, intimate, and entertaining glimpse of his life, the story of an average American boy with above average challenges but extraordinary vision and goals. This is a man in the public eye but whom most Americans don't know. He has heart and humor but wonderful self discipline to accomplish what most people wouldn't even think of, much less attempt. His autobiography is an examination of, not only his own life but, the American political system. If you read it, even if you're not of his persuasion, you will respect him, and he will draw you in as a friend - a perspective you cannot get from any news network.
- Reviewed in the United States on December 21, 2019I read this book in two days. It is a delight to read, and it is informative to the American way! This writing gives depth to a person's understanding of the Senate and adds to the character of this very revealing man. An awesome read both from a political revealing and a personal revealing of integrity and determination. May God continue to bless Senator McConnell.
- Reviewed in the United States on April 6, 2017Worth a read. I notice that many of the reviews are biased by political party affiliation. As such, many are not an accurate reflection of the content of the book.
For me, yes a republican, I found the book an easy and interesting read. There were notable life lessons - patience, perseverance, focus, loyalty, preparation, clear vision and goals, keeping score - and ample examples from Mitch's life to illustrate. These apply regardless your political persuasion.
- Reviewed in the United States on September 3, 2020The honorable Senator Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, esteemed majority leader in the United States Senate, employs his beloved sport, baseball, to give his readers the best seats in the long game of US politics. As a great American statesman and patriot, Senator McConnell allows us into his life to experience the journey of a man who loves his country. It is a must read for anyone who loves America. I do.
- Reviewed in the United States on May 31, 2016This book will surprise people who actually read it, as McConnell disses the right-wing and partisan extremists in congress and makes a reasoned case for vigorous debate and compromise as a noble cause in the best tradition of American governance. Haters on the far-right and left-of-center probably won't be persuaded to change their minds about McConnell but this book is worthwhile for them, too, if only to better understand their nemesis. Like him or not, Mitch McConnell has had a ringside seat to history and in this book shares some interesting insights into the individuals and institutions who run the U.S.A.
- Reviewed in the United States on July 22, 2018Mitch McConnell, “The Long Game: A Memoir.” One of the better books (maybe) by a politician. There is no credit given to a co-author (“with” or “as told to”) but buried in paragraph four of the acknowledgements is this: “… Brian McGuire was integral in organizing my initial thoughts; Aimee Molloy, an extraordinary talent, brought uncommon professionalism, steely determination, and good humor to what seemed like a monumental task under a grueling deadline.” I found this on the internet: “Aimee Molloy is the author of However Long the Night. She's also collaborated on several other books, including Jantsen's Gift, with Pam Cope; and Rosewater, with Maziar Bahari. She lives in Brooklyn, New York, with her husband and two daughters.”
Per McConnell, or Molloy, in politics some try to make a point, others to make a difference. McConnell sees himself as very much the latter. He prefers the long game (compromise, respecting traditions, etc.) to flashy press releases.
- Reviewed in the United States on February 19, 2020After watching Mitch handle the impeachment trial in the US Senate, I wanted to know how, in the midst of the madness, he could remain calm and keep his sense of humor. And I'm learning how he holds his course and maintains his "cool." An American icon telling his own story...and a great read. Highly recommend.
- Reviewed in the United States on July 26, 2020I enjoyed the personal stories. I was prepared to filter out any political spin and put the book down if I thought it was too political. Of course it bordered on political argument from time to time but it made me really appreciate Mitch McConnell In ways I haven’t before. I had been disappointed in him as being an obstructionist during the Obama years but I got to hear his side of the story and realize that much of what I heard before was given to me by the media.
Top reviews from other countries
- DhirajReviewed in Canada on October 15, 2020
5.0 out of 5 stars impressed !
Was delivered much sooner than I'd been led to expect; very good condition book.