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What A Party!: My Life Among Democrats: Presidents, Candidates, Donors, Activists, Alligators, and Other Wild Animals
New York Times Bestseller
“I’ve often said Terry’s energy could light up a city, and readers of his book will know why. Terry’s excitement for politics—and life—is evident on every page.”
–Senator Hillary Clinton
“If you’re in the market for a cautious, impartial, understated, pedantic—and boring!—look at American politics, put this book down right now. . .”
Terry McAuli
...morePaperback, 432 pages
Published
February 5th 2008
by St. Martin's Griffin
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Kind of a fun read. McAuliffe is a natural storyteller, in the classic tradition, which means you're never entirely sure how much of the story is pure BS. He's very difficult not to like, despite the naked egotism, false humility, and so forth. It's an interesting look into how you can become a real power player in U.S. politics as well.
An interesting book filled with fascinating stories about what it takes to be a money-man in Democratic politics, even if you have to wrestle alligators and have little family time. Many of his stories are lively and interesting and he tells them with much vim and verve. His passion for principles is also an undeniable driving force of many of his tales. I gave this book only four stars though because of two things: shamelessness and chronology. He is absolutely shameless about making anybody in...more
The subtitle of this book is not appropriate. Instead, it should be What a Party! How Terry McAuliffe Has Never, Ever Made a Single Mistake on a Matter of Any Real Importance. This reads like a caricature of a memoir, where the writer is a hero on every page and when bad things happen, it's always someone else's fault. (Did I mention that McAuliffe also seems to have had his friends and employees shill the book with a glowing Amazon review or three? Apparently he forgot or just doesn't care that...more
a easy read and interesting look at a Clinton insider.
I lean more towards R than D, but this is a fun book filled with insider anecdotes about the life of a Democratic fundraiser. His rise to fortune is also an inspiration, as well as educational. Terry sounds like a really good person to know and watch.
Hopefully, I too can someday write a book that consists entirely of namedropping and ways in which I singlehandedly saved the Democratic party.
Great audiobook. As always with political books, entirely partisan but in a fun & interesting way
This is the most partisan book I have ever read, and it was pretty fun. Terry is arrogant in a charming way -- you have to roll your eyes when he insists that he predicted everything that has ever happened in politics and that he is responsible for most of the good and none of the bad. (Also, he must have kept a log of how late he stayed up each night because that detail was on nearly every page. Bizarre.) Tons of great behind-the-scenes stories about the Clintons and the recent presidential...more
This book is hilarious. Read it for the humor and don't focus on the politics. It's a political beach read. Great stories though on the Clinton years and honest reflection on issues with the Kerry campaign. Also really interesting to hear from Terry himself about how he turned around the DNC. Note- this book is best for those who align themselves more to the left although even republicans will find themselves chuckling at some of his stories (like he seriously did wrestly an alligator to raise m...more
An entertaining book about McAuliffe's path to his involvement in the Democratic party. I enjoyed his stories (especially the one about having to wrestle an alligator for money). However, it got boring at times, and had to skip over some parts to sustain my interest. Also, if you don't like him, the Democrats or the Clintons, don't even bother reading this - he comes off as very self-involved unless he is praising Bill and Hillary.
An entertaining, motivating, and thought-provoking book (as is the 2000 election - WTF were these people doing?!?), thoroughly charming guy. It's no wonder he gets people to hand over fistfuls of money - I purchased 3 full priced books after hearing him speak. And if that is not a testament to his ability, I don't know what is.
Pure fun for any Democrat looking for the inside scoop from the former head of the DNC - lots of stories and remembrances and silly stuff. You aren't going to find anything heavy or controversial here - just lots of info about the exploits of consummate Democratic insider and friend of the Clintons.
Terry McAulliffe's book is somewhat self-serving, which is something he even admits to in the book. Nevertheless, it is an interesting and insightful book. I particularly liked McAuliffe's insights on the Clintons, failures of the Kerry presidential campaign, and modernizing the DNC.
Very light reading. Too little of the book talked about his time as Chairman of the DNC, though probably because despite his best efforts, 2000-2004 was not the best time for the party. It's nonetheless a pretty good read for a political junkie like say, me or Suzanne Globetti.
Kind of a "kiss & tell" for the political set. Lots of name-dropping of world leaders (which is kind of interesting). Offers great insights into the wild world of political fundraising. If you're not a Dem, don't bother.
I've always thought this guy was hilarious, and it definitely came across in the tone of the book. A good read for someone who wants to be a political operative/fund raiser.
The book reads like a history lesson so you not only learn about McAuliffe's life growing up with a political father but also how campaignes are run and won.
It showed an inside look at the White House with no fluff.
A book of anecdotes from fundraising guru to the Dems.
What a fun book!
Didn't finish reading it. I got the point early on about how important Terry McAuliffe is.
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