BONUS: This edition contains a Staying True discussion guide.
In this candid and compelling memoir, the first lady of South Carolina ... read full description
In this candid and compelling memoir, the first lady of South Carolina ... read full description
reviews
Aug 23, 2010
Joanna
rated it: 
In Jenny Sanford's memoir about being married to the philandering governor of South Carolina, you get a sense of her as an intelligent, grounded, and independent woman. It's a portrait of her marriage, and perhaps how it devolved over time to the point of her husband blathering on about his Argentinian soul mate during a press conference.
But you don't get a real sense of Mark Sanford as much of a person. He comes across as a cardboard cut out, distant and removed. Whether she's wr More...
But you don't get a real sense of Mark Sanford as much of a person. He comes across as a cardboard cut out, distant and removed. Whether she's wr More...
Jul 16, 2010
Carol
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Though the focus is the marriage and what went wrong, this is an excellent book to learn about adversity and determining what is important to you. The woman has courage and common sense. I literally read the book in one sitting. I started reading for the same reason drivers slow down and gawk at an accident. Though Mrs. Sanford's background and politics are very different from my own, I'd want her in my corner any day of the week. I found the book life-affirming in the subtlest way possible
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Jun 06, 2010
Vannessagrace
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Staying True was well written and with some honesty.
Staying True makes South Carolina’s Governor Mark Sandford look like a narcissistic raving manic and Jenny Sandford like a women so desperate for his affections that she sold her soul to be with him.
Jenny Sandford was a woman who chose to lived in denial to keep a man who only wanted her for the things she could provide him to help further his political career and to make his home life comfortable, and, of course, to g More...
Staying True makes South Carolina’s Governor Mark Sandford look like a narcissistic raving manic and Jenny Sandford like a women so desperate for his affections that she sold her soul to be with him.
Jenny Sandford was a woman who chose to lived in denial to keep a man who only wanted her for the things she could provide him to help further his political career and to make his home life comfortable, and, of course, to g More...
Jun 28, 2010
Rhonda
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Jenny Sanford writes of her marriage and public betrayal recently by her husband, South Carolina Governor, Mark Sanford, now famous for his claim to have been "hiking the Appalachian Trail" when questioned about his disappearance for several days.
Jenny writes how her marriage came to be, the strong faith they both had, their strong convictions to each other and to God, and their 4 sons. Then she shares the heartbreak, disappointment and anguish she felt when she learned, j More...
Jenny writes how her marriage came to be, the strong faith they both had, their strong convictions to each other and to God, and their 4 sons. Then she shares the heartbreak, disappointment and anguish she felt when she learned, j More...
Apr 12, 2010
V.K.
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Very good book and this lady is one in a million! She has the patience of Job and such a forgiving nature in her. A worthy read for ladies.
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Mar 08, 2010
Elisa
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I got this as an ebook through my library (i just discovered i could get books for my Nook from the library- YEAH!)
What she went through she handled pretty well, she seemd very grounded and definitely someone you could imagine being friends with. From her story- the supportive political wife. it's not what she wanted but she could see it ws what her husband wanted. Some of her political stories were good also.
When I heard of her story in the press- there seemed something dif More...
What she went through she handled pretty well, she seemd very grounded and definitely someone you could imagine being friends with. From her story- the supportive political wife. it's not what she wanted but she could see it ws what her husband wanted. Some of her political stories were good also.
When I heard of her story in the press- there seemed something dif More...
Sep 03, 2010
Genevieve
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Interesting read. I learned a lot about the political process from the people living it. At times it felt very, I don't know, almost trite. Like, "This is what happened, I should have seen it coming, I probably did, but we're through it now. With God all things are possible." And while that makes a great summary of life, and I agree with everything being possible with God, it just seemed to neat and tidy for the horrible experience that she (and her boys) went through. I also wou
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Jun 01, 2011
Juliet
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After finishing my last audio book, this book called to me from the libraries audio section, in the wake of Arnold's love child. Having read the book, I do have respect for Jenny Sanford. It appears that Mark Sanford did have a good woman behind him (she was his unpaid/free campaign manager for all of his congressional & gubernatorial elections.) She seems really smart & devoted to their kids. This is a sad book in the sense that it appears that Mark Sanford had a wife who was willing to car
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Jul 31, 2010
Elizabeth
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I read this book to find out what kind of a man Mark Sanford really is and to explain to myself what kind of man would slash education in SC, just about the worst state for schools. Well, he's frugal to a fault even in his own life--he was so cheap he slept on a futon in his office in D.C. and took back a necklace he had given his wife. His behavior with his Argentine lover was beyond bizarre--he actually asked his wife's PERMISSION to see her. Pretty scary to think that somebody like this wa
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Mar 14, 2010
Ginny
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This is the true story about a senator who cheats on his wife and how she and their 4 boys deal with it. It just reminds me that most politicians are so full of themselves and their power. The book starts when they first meet right out of college and how she saw some things then that she didn't like but overlooked. Maybe she should have trusted herself then. Luckily she has a great family, friends and her faith to help get her through. I admired her for not standing by her man after he pledged
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Jan 26, 2011
She is such a strong woman. Thoroughly enjoyed her story. Did listen as an audio book while walking. I kept walking further and further just to find out what happened next. I certainly understood Mrs. Sanford's choice about being with her young sons. A well-educated woman making the clear choice to be around as much as possible for her children is admirable. Mrs. Sanford stated over and over about wanting to end her life in the corporate world to slow down and devote herself to her children. So
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Jul 10, 2010
Vickie
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Hmmm never did much care for Mark Sanford's politics but thought him an honorable man until last year. After hearing Jenny's story, I find him appallingly selfish and self-centered. He actually asked her for permission to see his mistress so he could get closure and babbled about the soul mate thing to her. I found him just so self-absorbed. And cheap, not frugal. The book was interesting and Jenny Sanford told it well. It is the story of their meeting and marriage till it all fell apart so
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May 22, 2010
Dawn
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The book begins with Jenny Sanford recounting her husband Mark's infamous news conference where he confessed his Argentinian affair to the world. As you're reading, you immediately feel terrible for Jenny and are definitely on her side. Then Jenny starts from the beginning of her courtship with Mark, explaining how she came to fall in love with him, get married, and have children. I don't know if she purposely picked out bad memories of him, or if he really always was a giant douche...but some o
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Jun 11, 2011
Kirstin
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Jenny is a woman of character. I loved hearing about the behind the scenes of a political spouse - - - she was married to Mark Sanford, governor of S'Carolina. She chose to leave him when he chose to have an affair. I love this quote from the back cover: "And then there's the simple truth that I had come to understand and that I wanted to model for my four kids: What matters most is how you live your life, not what you have to show for it. I ask myself if I have tried my best to love
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Apr 11, 2010
Ellie
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Fascinating story about what Jenny Sanford thought was a working marriage and what Mark, gov of SC, considered as a homebase from which he could do whatever he wanted. And to the cost to their 4 sons. She is a person of faith who practices what she preaches. He just preaches. And I learned about the state of S Carolina and how many years ago, they were afraid that someday an African American might be voted governor---so they took away great power from that office. Is this our country
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Mar 14, 2011
Sherri
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This book is a thoughtful and honest account of Jenny Sanford's courtship, marriage and eventual divorce from the Governor of South Carolina. She was fair, loving and compassionate and let the facts speak for themselves without a lot of editorializing or embellishment. I appreciated her account and her fresh approach to her husband's infidelities. She "stayed true" to who she is rather than allowing the pressures of politics to change her.
Mar 14, 2010
Shirleen
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She come across as a strong, grounded, caring woman who has a good head, a lot of faith, a positive attitude, and makes good choices. I loved that one of her very top priorities is her 4 children. I also loved the last chapter of the book, where she seems to have come to terms with her divorce and seems at peace with herself and her life.
I'd actually give this book 3-1/2 stars- not quite 4 but also better than a 3.
I'd actually give this book 3-1/2 stars- not quite 4 but also better than a 3.
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Jul 13, 2010
Casey
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This lady talked about God. A LOT. Yeah, I get it - she's from a republican Catholic family and married a Southern right-wing freak, but really now? That's a lot of God talk and Bible quotes I never want to know about. Maybe it's because I'm grossed out by religion, but I could have done without all the preaching. Good story about the inner workings of a political southern family, so, you know, whatever.
Apr 24, 2010
Joel
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Having not stood by her husband and having decided to leave him as he publically spoke of his lover being his soulmate, I was curious about Jenny Sanford. Unfortunatley, she comes across as "holier than thou." There is no real emotion; rather, it is a recitation of facts and events. There had to be raw pain and rage but you never get any sense of that. I wish it had been a truer snapshot of her.
Mar 14, 2010
Tammy
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A quick read, most of the content was covered in the numerous television and print interviews that Jenny Sanford made to promote the book. She is best known because she was a wronged political wife who didn't stand by her man when he publicly confessed his indiscretions. I appreciate her willingness to pick up and move on rather than try to save a marriage her husband is clearly no longer interested in.
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Jul 30, 2011
This is a truly inspiring book! I would hope that Elizabeth Edwards would read it and take note. Jenny Sanford has stayed true to herself and her Christian values. She is to be commended for this, and for wanting to maintain a sense of integrity not only for herself, but also for her 4 boys. Too bad Mark Sanford does not realize what he has lost.
Apr 23, 2010
Junaid
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Take out the religious mumbo jumbo and this book could be 1 chapter long. Pathetic chapter at that. Condensed version : Two religious nut-jobs marry with wife wanting to breed, nest and raise many religious nut-job kids. Hubby ambitious and wants to bang as much poon-tang and climb as many mountains as possible. Match made in hell.
Mar 16, 2010
Sher
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i love bios, and i certainly cannot fault ms. sanford for writing hers. i applaud her courage in light of her husband's failings. however, not only does this book plod like a turtle, it makes you want to scream and shake the young jenny sanford. so many signs, so easily seen, that mark sanford is not a keeper. and yet she continued.
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Oct 08, 2011
Melanie
rated it:
This book is so much more than a biography of a politcians wife. Instead it is the story of a 20 year marriage after it fell apart. Without anger or judgement, this narrative describes the author's experiences based on her rememberance of events and her view and values. It also shows how to move to forgiveness and acceptance.
Oct 09, 2010
Jennifer
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I loved reading this book. What a couregous woman! I don't think I could have been so dignified when being in the public eye like she was during her husband's affair. I did get a little annoyed with her when I felt she didn't stand up for herself but I can also understand her putting her family first.
Jun 17, 2010
MaryHelen
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This was a good book. Despite great faith, solid midwestern values, a willingness to help her husband in any way possible, and dedication to family life, it takes two to make a good marriage. He simply was not as committed to the relationship or the family, and it was disturbing to discover this.
May 21, 2010
Renee
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In a way, I feel like Sanford is making excuses for Sanford, but I also feel like she is embarrassed by all of this and trying to make it look like she wasn't a sucker. I'll give her this though, she handled this with true grace and I admire that -- if I were in her shoes, I can't imagine how I would have reacted.
Apr 03, 2010
KateSpears
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I read this in a couple of hours and enjoyed it so much. I was curious to see exactly what she is made of and after reading this book, I feel that her faith is astounding. That's obviously the only way she dealt with all of the drama that her husbands decisions created in their lives. Easy read, good book.
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Jul 03, 2010
Bednarzterry
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This book was much more about Jenny's walk of faith through a very difficult time in her life than it was any kind of expose or tell-all book about her husband's very public betrayal of their marriage. I found it to be a testimony of how God prevails no matter what...when we choose to believe Him.
Mar 10, 2011
Stacey
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Interesting story about a failed marriage and a very public humiliation. Based on the stories she recounts it seems that she should have known from the start that her husband was not a nice man. It seemed that she used religion to explain away much of his self-centered behavior.
