I must confess right up front. I did something I have not done before, and while I feel a bit sheepish about admitting it, there’s no way I’m going to go ahead with the alternative.
I did not read the whole book.
I read more than half of it and skipped to the end to see if there was any explanation of Sarah Palin leaving the Governor’s Mansion early (none that I could find). I guess you could say I went rogue on Sarah Palin.
Anyone who’s read my reviews knows I review both sides of political non-fiction, and while I’m a Democrat, I do try to put on my “journalistic cap” and judge each book on its literary merits and the author’s skill. For example, I reviewed Gov. Mike Huckabee’s book last winter, and gave it a good review, event though I disagreed with every single policy issue he laid out. I thought about that book several times while reading Gov. Palin’s book – one that has been widely criticized for a lack of policy discussion, concrete political plans, or any resemblance to a party platform for Palin 2012. In one CNN interview I saw, a Republican woman who had read an advanced copy said there were roughly 13 pages of policy in the whole 413 page book. I would agree with that assessment, however (spoiler alert) it’s not all in one section of the book and it’s the same paragraph over and over again (conservative republican worldview is the only way to go; laissez-faire attitude of government to business is good; abortion is bad).
I did not finish this book not because of what she said, but for the simple reason that it is one of the most poorly written books I have ever read. As someone who holds a journalism degree and considers herself part of the professional writing community, I cherish words, good grammar and logical, linear thought laid out in a simple, cohesive, and readable format. Sarah Palin did not achieve any of these things with her book. It gave me a headache trying to keep up with the topic changes. Four times before I got to page 100, I simply lost the will to live. Where were her editors at HarperCollins? Did she have one? If so, they should be fired.
For anyone who’s curious – you have to slog through 208 pages of her history before you actually get any of the good stuff about the McCain camp. I never made it that far. Halfway through a ridiculous chapter about how she was perfection as governor and everyone around her was a corrupt and inept son-of-a-gun, I decided I couldn’t read one more page. I’d lost all interest in the “good stuff.” If it was written in the same style (and after 150 pages, one must assume the writing isn’t getting better) I just didn’t want to hear her self-martyrdom any more. The woman has quit every good job she had because she “just couldn’t take it.” She refers to the corruption and “party establishment” but one keeps thinking that maybe she’s in desperate need of a Dale Carnegie class on how to win friends and influence people since she’s completely unable to work with anyone but her closest girlfriends.
“There’s been so much written about and spoken about in the mainstream media and in the anonymous blogosphere world, that this will be a wonderful, refreshing chance for me to get to tell my story, that a lot of people have asked about, unfiltered,” Palin said to the AP. The key word here is “unfiltered.” William Faulkner could not have done it better–I thought of As I Lay Dying several times as I tried to keep up. And just like the dying mother in Faulkner’s novel, you keep reading, not because you particularly love Palin, but you’re hoping she’ll give up her secrets.
For example, she starts the book at the Alaska State Fair and rambles on for two pages, going back and forth between the abortion issue and the state fair. She talks repeatedly about the Alaska pipeline and politics of the mid-1970s like she was involved, but she was 11 in 1975 when the pipeline was built. She starts a paragraph out of nowhere about her being 4 years old and wanting to fly – she jumps and falls and skins her knee. Two paragraphs later her mom is buying a green carpet to match the moss on the mountains, then she’s reinventing the letter “E” in elementary school, and soon after talks about how much she loved her brother even though he was a troublemaker who almost burned down their house. A few pages later, there’s a two-page description of the birth of her first son, which is needlessly graphic and doesn’t do anything to help her image, as her husband finally takes her to the hospital and they wander through the warehouse door instead of the ER door.
Palin blithely describes her career path: Mayor of Wasilla (couldn’t get along with the city council so she asked for their resignations), Chair of the Alaska Oil & Gas Conservation Commission (quit), Governor of Alaska (quit), Vice Presidential nominee (blames everyone else for the loss). The “good old boys” and “Republican establishment” get blamed for pretty much everything in this book, and while the GOP may not be on my, or anyone else’s sympathy list these days, they probably don’t deserve as much credit as she gives them.
There is no internal analysis, thoughtful self-realizations, revelations or anything else from Palin about her personal responsibilities or involvement in various jobs that led to these conflicts she writes about. It seems as if she is painting herself as a blank canvas with everything swirling around and nothing emanating from her.
I realize that in a memoir, the author highlights their own strengths and often takes the opportunity to criticize others (the pen is mightier than the sword). However, in Palin’s case, it comes across as too much gloss. She is clearly unaware of how her actions affected herself, her work, and those around her. Her world is black and white and anyone who thinks differently can change their mind to her glorious view or–well, she never really says. At the very least, she’s a confident proselytizer for the conservative faithful.
A case in point: Palin writes several times that her political views include “simply being on the side of the people.” This is not political leadership–this is being part of the popular crowd. Leadership by polls and popularity has never gotten this country anywhere but in a mess.
If you really like Sarah Palin and think I’m out of my mind, go ahead and buy the book. If you’re curious, as I was, you would do better to find a comfy chair at your local bookstore or wait until it shows up at your local library.
December 17th, 2009 at 4:19 pm
Interesting review. You make me want to actually take the time to read the book. Judging from the articles by Palin that I have read online, I have a hard time believing the book could be that bad. She might not be a polished writer, but she has something to say, and says it in a way that many in the heartland can relate to.
December 20th, 2009 at 4:29 pm
Great job on this review. Just what I thought..that her book would give me one big headache just as her television interviews do. She does not take responsibility for anything and cannot answer a question without rambling and changing the topic. Thanks!
January 7th, 2010 at 5:29 pm
Don’t read portions of a book and proceed to write a review of the entire book. You are incorrect with your statement there was no explanation to her resignation as Governor. It was what I was most curious about before I read it and found her reasons to be honest and valid.
January 20th, 2010 at 11:14 pm
Moody Bible Institute does not offer a Journalism degree, and never has.
If you can’t get the facts straight on your own life, it’s unsurprising you can’t do it on a book you haven’t read.
January 21st, 2010 at 9:42 pm
Chuck,
It took me all of three minutes to verify that Moody does indeed offer degrees in written communications.
February 11th, 2010 at 4:51 pm
Well, I am glad people read my reviews and discuss what I write!
First, I would like to clarify that I did read over half the book and scanned the rest. And, sorry to burst everyone’s bubble out there, but most book reviewers and journalists do not read every word, every page of a book they review or discuss. I usually read every word cover to cover and take copious notes. I felt it was just personal integrity to say I had not fully read the entire book as I usually do.
Secondly, even if I had read the whole book, I still wouldn’t give it a good review. I’m sorry, I’ve read well-written and well-thought out books, and I don’t think this one is. I don’t care who’s name is on the cover.
Thirdly, for Chuck - Moody Bible Institute has a long and well respected history of journalism - print, radio and publishing. It is highly regarded in the city of Chicago as a top “J-school” and many people (including the great, late Paul Harvey and NBC news, Chicago office) insist our journalism students make the best interns and staffers. There are also Moody alumni at Shadow Traffic, WGN, Chicago Tribune, IVPress and Christianity Today and other news outlets. Not to mention Moody Broadcasting Network, which includes Moody radio and radio stations all over the world that are either O&O stations or use MBN satellite feeds. I would highly recommend the Communications program to anyone interested in radio or print journalism.