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Not My First Rodeo: Lessons from the Heartland
South Dakota governor Kristi Noem tells her rough and tumble story of growing up on a ranch, and how a blessed life of true grit taught her how to lead.
“We don’t complain about things, Kristi. We fix them.” Taking her father’s words to heart, South Dakota's first woman governor Kristi Noem shares heartfelt – and heartbreaking – lessons on making things right in the world, from her childhood on a farm in the vastness of rural America, to the marbled halls of Congress, to the national spotlight amid a global pandemic.
From humorous barnyard battles with feisty cattle and rodeo horses, to the tragic and untimely death of her larger-than-life father, to her decision to her decision to return and run the farm and ranch with her family, Noem invites readers into a life defined by work, faith, and helping others. Noem's reflections are offered in the familiar, unvarnished voice of a woman who later defied Washington’s most powerful politicians and led the people of her small, hardscrabble state through natural disasters, the pain of a global pandemic, and the fear and turmoil that gripped the nation after.
While filled with plenty of candid observations and refreshingly frank assessments of the country's leading figures, the memoir's most powerful moments nevertheless come from honest glimpses into marriage, motherhood, and leadership in an unpredictable time.
Far from a book about politics, Not My First Rodeo is the story of a life lived so far – with characters as richly textured as the Black Hills, and reflections as gentle and powerful as America itself.
“We don’t complain about things, Kristi. We fix them.” Taking her father’s words to heart, South Dakota's first woman governor Kristi Noem shares heartfelt – and heartbreaking – lessons on making things right in the world, from her childhood on a farm in the vastness of rural America, to the marbled halls of Congress, to the national spotlight amid a global pandemic.
From humorous barnyard battles with feisty cattle and rodeo horses, to the tragic and untimely death of her larger-than-life father, to her decision to her decision to return and run the farm and ranch with her family, Noem invites readers into a life defined by work, faith, and helping others. Noem's reflections are offered in the familiar, unvarnished voice of a woman who later defied Washington’s most powerful politicians and led the people of her small, hardscrabble state through natural disasters, the pain of a global pandemic, and the fear and turmoil that gripped the nation after.
While filled with plenty of candid observations and refreshingly frank assessments of the country's leading figures, the memoir's most powerful moments nevertheless come from honest glimpses into marriage, motherhood, and leadership in an unpredictable time.
Far from a book about politics, Not My First Rodeo is the story of a life lived so far – with characters as richly textured as the Black Hills, and reflections as gentle and powerful as America itself.
289 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2022
214 people are currently reading
833 people want to read
About the author
Kristi Noem
3 books31 followersKristi Noem is currently serving as the 33rd Governor of South Dakota.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 196 reviews
November 23, 2022
Memoir is my favorite genre, particularly when the stories involve big obstacles and the person demonstrates amazing grit, determination, perseverance, and ingenuity. Kristi Noem's memoir delivers on these points in a big way.
The book doesn't get into politics until about 65% through the book which corresponds chronologically with Kristi's decision to enter politics. Kristi and I have very different political viewpoints, but that doesn't take away from her upbringing and life lessons that shine in her personal journey.
Her work ethic is off-the-charts, thanks to being raised on a farm where every person in the family works incredibly hard and learns hard lessons from the weather, marketplace, and government regulations. She is a "get-it-done" type of person.
Kristi's father died in a tragic accident on the farm at age forty-nine. Kristi was twenty-two years old, in her first year of marriage, and eight months pregnant. She had to put her career aspirations on hold and stop attending college to help ensure her family could continue the family farming business. Fortunately, her father used a micro-recorder and left many mini-cassette tapes behind that had his perspectives on crops, soil, fertilizer, etc that helped provide guidance.
Kristi describes her foray into politics and the various races and issues she faced, including the COVID pandemic. As South Dakota's governor, she did not implement any "lock down" mandates and continually stressed that everyone should continue working.
Highly recommend this book for readers of memoirs, history, politics. It is very inspiring for women who are considering entering politics.
The book doesn't get into politics until about 65% through the book which corresponds chronologically with Kristi's decision to enter politics. Kristi and I have very different political viewpoints, but that doesn't take away from her upbringing and life lessons that shine in her personal journey.
Her work ethic is off-the-charts, thanks to being raised on a farm where every person in the family works incredibly hard and learns hard lessons from the weather, marketplace, and government regulations. She is a "get-it-done" type of person.
Kristi's father died in a tragic accident on the farm at age forty-nine. Kristi was twenty-two years old, in her first year of marriage, and eight months pregnant. She had to put her career aspirations on hold and stop attending college to help ensure her family could continue the family farming business. Fortunately, her father used a micro-recorder and left many mini-cassette tapes behind that had his perspectives on crops, soil, fertilizer, etc that helped provide guidance.
Kristi describes her foray into politics and the various races and issues she faced, including the COVID pandemic. As South Dakota's governor, she did not implement any "lock down" mandates and continually stressed that everyone should continue working.
Highly recommend this book for readers of memoirs, history, politics. It is very inspiring for women who are considering entering politics.
July 16, 2022
2.5 stars. Here we have the obligatory running-for-higher-office memoir. Let me be clear, my low rating of this book is not based on my intense dislike of Governor Noem's politics, but rather due to a lack of depth, candor, and authenticity in the work. (It's basically the same way I judge celebrity autobiographies.) Which is not to say that there weren't elements of the book that I liked, and I'll enumerate them.
The book is poorly-written in general, and I got no real sense of the Governor's voice. I mean, this lady and I have VERY little in common, and while it doesn't help with relatability, it does up the intrigue factor. She's a fellow American, and her lived experience and mine are so different that it's like night and day. But the stories she uses to illustrate her life felt very generic. (One notable exception is the story of her father's premature death, which is absolutely horrific. It's something I wouldn't wish on my worst enemy. And it's fascinating in a really dark way, but not written in an especially compelling manner. Still, if the death of a parent isn't personal, what is?) It all felt... packaged, like a product. In my head, I compared this memoir to ones I'd read by Kamala Harris and Kellyanne Conway. And love them or hate them, I got a much better sense of the person they were--or at least the person they wanted me to see. I got a glimpse of Kamala's quirky sense of humor. And I think Kellyanne is pure evil, but when she talked about the pain her husband has caused her, and her concern about her teenage daughter, I absolutely felt the sincerity of her words. There was just nothing in this book that felt truly authentic to who this woman was.
It takes a surprisingly long time for any political content to come up. I get it, Kristi, you grew up on a farm and you love animals, but lets move things along. Regarding her rise in politics, she paints her naked ambition in religion. There a whole lot of "we prayed on it," which impresses me not at all. She was completely off my radar for the six years she served in Congress, so I was significantly more interested in this section of the book.
And here there were many things that made a positive impression. She's not super in-your-face about it, but there's a definite feminist message here. I also liked that she referenced several Democrats with warmth, and mentioned bipartisan efforts and areas of agreement. Nor does she appear to be out to settle scores or throw anyone under buses. (Although, those are definitely more interesting reads. I'm looking at you, Kellyanne!) Finally, she acknowledged a couple of times where relationships had deteriorated or been lost due to her politics. And those might have been moments that felt a little more authentic to me, because it would be so easy to just ignore the ugly truth... I used to be friendly with this fellow governor, but we disagreed over Covid policies and the relationship hasn't been the same. That's real. Finally, while I'm unlikely to ever agree with any of her political stances, she demonstrates why it's good to have people from different backgrounds and walks of life (in her case rural and agricultural) represent us in congress. I just wish the Republican idea of diversity had a greater span than white urban to white rural.
As for much of the political content, such as the sucking up to Donald Trump, the touting of her work for Native Americans, her discussion of the Covid crisis and her state's response--she's playing to her base, just as Kamala Harris did, just as Elizabeth Warren did, just as Amy Klobuchar did. I hate her politics and her policies. I find pretty much everything she says disingenuous. I expected no less. I can't even blame her for it. Does a leopard change it's spots?
This book is already being received enthusiastically by her supporters. I don't believe that there's enough "there there" to convince anyone undecided to vote for her. Among other things, there is absolutely no sense of intellectual rigor here, and no deep exploration of any issues. And I can't even recommend that curious progressives like myself bother to read this one. It's just too lacking in substance to be worth the time.
The book is poorly-written in general, and I got no real sense of the Governor's voice. I mean, this lady and I have VERY little in common, and while it doesn't help with relatability, it does up the intrigue factor. She's a fellow American, and her lived experience and mine are so different that it's like night and day. But the stories she uses to illustrate her life felt very generic. (One notable exception is the story of her father's premature death, which is absolutely horrific. It's something I wouldn't wish on my worst enemy. And it's fascinating in a really dark way, but not written in an especially compelling manner. Still, if the death of a parent isn't personal, what is?) It all felt... packaged, like a product. In my head, I compared this memoir to ones I'd read by Kamala Harris and Kellyanne Conway. And love them or hate them, I got a much better sense of the person they were--or at least the person they wanted me to see. I got a glimpse of Kamala's quirky sense of humor. And I think Kellyanne is pure evil, but when she talked about the pain her husband has caused her, and her concern about her teenage daughter, I absolutely felt the sincerity of her words. There was just nothing in this book that felt truly authentic to who this woman was.
It takes a surprisingly long time for any political content to come up. I get it, Kristi, you grew up on a farm and you love animals, but lets move things along. Regarding her rise in politics, she paints her naked ambition in religion. There a whole lot of "we prayed on it," which impresses me not at all. She was completely off my radar for the six years she served in Congress, so I was significantly more interested in this section of the book.
And here there were many things that made a positive impression. She's not super in-your-face about it, but there's a definite feminist message here. I also liked that she referenced several Democrats with warmth, and mentioned bipartisan efforts and areas of agreement. Nor does she appear to be out to settle scores or throw anyone under buses. (Although, those are definitely more interesting reads. I'm looking at you, Kellyanne!) Finally, she acknowledged a couple of times where relationships had deteriorated or been lost due to her politics. And those might have been moments that felt a little more authentic to me, because it would be so easy to just ignore the ugly truth... I used to be friendly with this fellow governor, but we disagreed over Covid policies and the relationship hasn't been the same. That's real. Finally, while I'm unlikely to ever agree with any of her political stances, she demonstrates why it's good to have people from different backgrounds and walks of life (in her case rural and agricultural) represent us in congress. I just wish the Republican idea of diversity had a greater span than white urban to white rural.
As for much of the political content, such as the sucking up to Donald Trump, the touting of her work for Native Americans, her discussion of the Covid crisis and her state's response--she's playing to her base, just as Kamala Harris did, just as Elizabeth Warren did, just as Amy Klobuchar did. I hate her politics and her policies. I find pretty much everything she says disingenuous. I expected no less. I can't even blame her for it. Does a leopard change it's spots?
This book is already being received enthusiastically by her supporters. I don't believe that there's enough "there there" to convince anyone undecided to vote for her. Among other things, there is absolutely no sense of intellectual rigor here, and no deep exploration of any issues. And I can't even recommend that curious progressives like myself bother to read this one. It's just too lacking in substance to be worth the time.
June 28, 2022
“I think too often government officials try to find a reason not to get things done. It’s too hard, it’s never been done before or they are just lazy and want to make excuses. When you grow up the way we and millions of other Americans did, it’s hard to understand why our government fails so many people.” (Kristi Noem, pg. 61)
For sure, not your typical political volume, “Not My First Rodeo”, by South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem, is her life to date auto biography. It does include her political journey but this book is much more. It’s her grounding, her foundation, the story of her family roots and how she arrived at the forefront of the GOP.
Much of the early part of this story is a love letter to Noem’s father. He was a larger than life kinda guy, a farmer that met with a tragedy while working on the family farm. That pivotal event set the course for her family’s future which gets summed up in a quote by Teddy Roosevelt, a favorite of hers:
“It’s not the critic who counts - not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles. Or where the doer of deeds could have done better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives valiantly, who errs and comes up short again and again and again because there is no effort without error or shortcoming. But who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions who spends himself for a worthy cause.”
An elegant blend of homespun wisdom, common sense and humor with no nonsense political savvy and actual “We the People” governing; it’s refreshing to read Noem’s non apologetic accounting of her faith, family and country commitment to S. D., the Heartland and our beloved U.S.A📚
For sure, not your typical political volume, “Not My First Rodeo”, by South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem, is her life to date auto biography. It does include her political journey but this book is much more. It’s her grounding, her foundation, the story of her family roots and how she arrived at the forefront of the GOP.
Much of the early part of this story is a love letter to Noem’s father. He was a larger than life kinda guy, a farmer that met with a tragedy while working on the family farm. That pivotal event set the course for her family’s future which gets summed up in a quote by Teddy Roosevelt, a favorite of hers:
“It’s not the critic who counts - not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles. Or where the doer of deeds could have done better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives valiantly, who errs and comes up short again and again and again because there is no effort without error or shortcoming. But who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions who spends himself for a worthy cause.”
An elegant blend of homespun wisdom, common sense and humor with no nonsense political savvy and actual “We the People” governing; it’s refreshing to read Noem’s non apologetic accounting of her faith, family and country commitment to S. D., the Heartland and our beloved U.S.A📚
April 27, 2024
Dog killer. Puppy killer. Waste of air.
March 22, 2024
Politics aside, Kristi Noem is a brave and fabulous human being. This book described her life and some of the challenges she overcame to set herself up for success and continue to push forward on issues that affected her personally, all while keeping in mind those around her as well as those she was representing. She knew that she didn’t want to be a career politician in Congress. Instead, she found a way to continue to serve that she knew would make a difference, while surrounding herself with good people that had different viewpoints - all for the betterment of South Dakota.
A part that I significantly enjoyed was her talking to the Lakota people at the Pine Ridge Reservation. From previous experience, they are TOUGH people - it was no surprise that she was asked not to come back. But to think about the history that sits there and the struggles of forming a relationship between them and the government is unreal. However, it’s the world we live in.
And her patriotism? You can practically feel through her writing how proud she is to be a South Dakotan and American. Specifically, in the last chapter when she discusses the hoops she jumped through to have fireworks at Mt. Rushmore. She fought the bureaucracy of the federal government because she knew that it was best for the state of South Dakota. And to describe the administrations the way she did - it packed a punch.
This nation is blessed to have her leadership, guidance and patriotism. She truly makes the world a better place.
A part that I significantly enjoyed was her talking to the Lakota people at the Pine Ridge Reservation. From previous experience, they are TOUGH people - it was no surprise that she was asked not to come back. But to think about the history that sits there and the struggles of forming a relationship between them and the government is unreal. However, it’s the world we live in.
And her patriotism? You can practically feel through her writing how proud she is to be a South Dakotan and American. Specifically, in the last chapter when she discusses the hoops she jumped through to have fireworks at Mt. Rushmore. She fought the bureaucracy of the federal government because she knew that it was best for the state of South Dakota. And to describe the administrations the way she did - it packed a punch.
This nation is blessed to have her leadership, guidance and patriotism. She truly makes the world a better place.
April 26, 2024
No interest in books by puppy killers.
November 4, 2024
She was at one time the best Govenor in America, and a much needed rising star in the Republican Party. Book wise this is a good story. However her star has fallen because of her actions towards her dogs(I wont go into that here). That behavior is unacceptable.
Read
July 10, 2022No rating. Reading views I disagree with as a practice in civility.
October 13, 2022
If you don’t love Kristi Noem before you start this book, you will after you finish it. Through this book, Kristi really let’s the reader get to know her; her background, how growing up on a farm in rural South Dakota shaped her, her fierce love for family and respect for farmers of our nation, her high character and morals. She’s full of moxie, spirit, fight, and uncompromising values & faith.
She’s a great storyteller, I loved hearing about all parts of her life - from the farm, to her home & family, to her political experiences.
This is one of the best audiobooks I’ve listened to!
Bummer that it wasn’t read by the author ,but I forgot about that as I listened.
She’s a great storyteller, I loved hearing about all parts of her life - from the farm, to her home & family, to her political experiences.
This is one of the best audiobooks I’ve listened to!
Bummer that it wasn’t read by the author ,but I forgot about that as I listened.
July 19, 2022
I really wanted to like this book. Was hoping to hear about the governor's philosophy and experience. Instead it was like a Southpark parody of raw-raw American exceptionalism and Jesus. Sarah Palin on crack.
This book has caused me to lose respect for Ms Noem.
This book has caused me to lose respect for Ms Noem.
September 29, 2022
I didn’t know anything about Kristi Noem before this book. It was recommended to me based on some other books I had read so I figured I’d check it out and I really resonated with it. The first half of the book is a memoir of Kristi’s upbringing, including her trials and successes. Kristi is a farm girl, raised in a family where nothing is taken for granted and hard work is a way of life. The second half of the book focuses on her career as a state representative and eventually governor, where she shares stories of what she has stood for and tried to change within politics.
I think the best part for me was how much I resonated with her story. I grew up in Kansas, so the emphasis on rural lifestyle felt familiar and welcoming. I also loved how she doesn't just profess to be a Christian but is someone who lives by faith, often pausing to explain ways that she felt God working in her life and quoting scriptures. I appreciated the perspective of a strong-willed woman politician, which can often perceived as stubborn and uncooperative, but I don't think she come across as pompous or arrogant. Rather, her strong-willed, no excuses attitude came across as very admirable and whether or not I agree with all of her policies, I can respect her heart for her state and her passion to make a difference.
I think the best part for me was how much I resonated with her story. I grew up in Kansas, so the emphasis on rural lifestyle felt familiar and welcoming. I also loved how she doesn't just profess to be a Christian but is someone who lives by faith, often pausing to explain ways that she felt God working in her life and quoting scriptures. I appreciated the perspective of a strong-willed woman politician, which can often perceived as stubborn and uncooperative, but I don't think she come across as pompous or arrogant. Rather, her strong-willed, no excuses attitude came across as very admirable and whether or not I agree with all of her policies, I can respect her heart for her state and her passion to make a difference.
August 18, 2022
Growing up and then running a ranch is not for the faint of heart! Kristi shares many stories about her father and life on the ranch and how much it impacted her character development. She eventually became involved in politics once she began to realize the extent that government policies influence/regulate her small business as a ranch owner. I am convinced that I need to visit South Dakota--in the summer that is--to see the beauty of the land and to meet the hard working ranchers who live there.
October 14, 2022
I enjoyed the family stories but I prefer memoirs that are more candid and self reflective. It felt like an advertisement at times.
October 14, 2022
Madam Governor,
I completely agree with you that Government should not impose laws to make us give up meat and fireworks but should simply inform us of THE TRUTH and let each of us act in the light of that information.
I am a farmer .I am not right or left wing but I am in favor of in leaders who are informed and make well thought out decisions.
Americans use nearly 30,000 tons per of fire works per year year – Individuals purchase and use about two-thirds of the total. The remainder is used in public fireworks displays.
Where you aware that the unrecyclable paper that contained in fire works comes from trees that have to be cut so that there are fewer trees to transpire water and sequester carbon at a time when climate crisis driven disasters are costing the USA billions of dollars per year ?Weather disasters caused $145 billion in damage last year in the U.S., says NOAA https://www.cnbc.com/2022/01/11/weath...
Where you aware that the CO2 and sulfur dioxide emitted by COMPLELTLY UNNESSACARY fire works displays contributes to global warming making the droughts just that much worse
https://weather.com/news/news/2022-06... says “Thousands of wildfires are sparked by fireworks each year on or around July 4. "Climate change has increased the frequency and severity of both drought and extreme high temperatures, and both of these contribute to larger fires and more extreme fire behavior," Bendix said. Research has shown that between 1992 and 2015 more wildfires were started on the 4th of July than any other day of the year, and most of them were near homes.
The National Association of State Fire Marshalls estimates that fires resulting from fireworks cause about $20 million in property damage every year.
Fireworks are wildly popular, but they have been linked to air pollution increases, and environmentalists are concerned about their negative effects on wildlife.23
Although they're fleeting and infrequent, fireworks shows spray out a toxic concoction that rains down quietly into lakes, rivers, and bays throughout the country.4 Many of the chemicals in fireworks are also persistent in the environment, meaning they stubbornly sit there instead of breaking down.56
The stars inside a firework are made up of heavy metals that produce their awe-inspiring colors.7 Like with perchlorates, the exact effect of fireworks’ heavy-metal fallout is largely still a mystery, though some studies suggest that the heavy metals have a seriously negative impact on human and environmental health.8
Common heavy metal colorants in fireworks include:
Strontium (red)
Aluminum (white)
Copper (blue)
Barium (green)
Rubidium (purple)
Cadmium (various)
Firework Alternatives A laser light show
There's a human cost, too. The Consumer Product Safety Commission estimates that more than 11,500 people were injured by fireworks last year.
To make matter’s worse you brought in the blue angels from The south east coast to south dekota which caused more unnecessary green house gasses and Trump flew out on his jet .All unnecessary -all adding to climate crisis diasters such ae Florida’s flooding with it 83 person death toll and 71 billion dollars in property damage
and the Mount Rushmore show was all at tax payer expense ?
I am very concerned with the mega drought which is caused deforestation and greenhouse gas emissions( were you aware that the live stock industry generates more green house gases than all forms of transpiration combined (cars , busses , trucks, trains, ships , air craft )
Where you aware that the paper that make up fire works( which unlike food are a non essential commodity ) comes from trees that have to be cut so that there are fewer trees to transpire water and less rain ?
Where you aware that the CO2 and sulfur dioxide emitted by completely unnecessary fire works contributes to globle warming making the droughts just that much worse
and all this at tax payer expense ?
Please show your allegiance to the United States of America and your God given wisdom by diverting the funds from unnecessarily destroying trees to planting them and helping cattle farmers adapt to plant based cash crops
Please see the following scientific videos
Regenerative Grazing Debunked by science
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OSAz-...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rKjQf...
To get a better grasp on how trees bring rain see these videos
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wJz_m...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L3-Du...
17:50 “ world wide 80-90% of the water entering earths atmosphere is not coming from evaporation .It is coming from transpiration, It’s coming from plants”
You may be supervised that with all the water in the oceans evaporation form the ocean accounts for only 10-20% of water the entering earth’s atmosphere and 80-90% comes from plants but the leaves and blades of plants comprise a much greater surface area than the relatively flat surface area of the surface of the earths ocean soceans , lakes and rivers
https://www.walterreeves.com/landscap.... Says
Forester Dr. Kim Coder says that a very rough estimate can be gotten by measuring the area (in square feet) beneath the crown of a tree and multiplying by 4. This gives you the estimated total leaf surface area of the tree in square feet. Example: the sweetgum in my front yard has a crown 30 feet wide. The area under it is approximately 700 square feet. Multiplied by 4, I see that the single tree has 2,800 square feet of leaf area. A big oak tree might have a crown 50 feet wide. In that case, one could estimate the tree has 63,000 leaves with a surface area of 15,750 sq ft )
https://www.usgs.gov/special-topics/w... (scroll down to “How much water to plants transpire ? ” ) says
a large oak tree can transpire 40,000 gallons per year. (109.589 gallon per day)
I completely agree with you that Government should not impose laws to make us give up meat and fireworks but should simply inform us of THE TRUTH and let each of us act in the light of that information.
I am a farmer .I am not right or left wing but I am in favor of in leaders who are informed and make well thought out decisions.
Americans use nearly 30,000 tons per of fire works per year year – Individuals purchase and use about two-thirds of the total. The remainder is used in public fireworks displays.
Where you aware that the unrecyclable paper that contained in fire works comes from trees that have to be cut so that there are fewer trees to transpire water and sequester carbon at a time when climate crisis driven disasters are costing the USA billions of dollars per year ?Weather disasters caused $145 billion in damage last year in the U.S., says NOAA https://www.cnbc.com/2022/01/11/weath...
Where you aware that the CO2 and sulfur dioxide emitted by COMPLELTLY UNNESSACARY fire works displays contributes to global warming making the droughts just that much worse
https://weather.com/news/news/2022-06... says “Thousands of wildfires are sparked by fireworks each year on or around July 4. "Climate change has increased the frequency and severity of both drought and extreme high temperatures, and both of these contribute to larger fires and more extreme fire behavior," Bendix said. Research has shown that between 1992 and 2015 more wildfires were started on the 4th of July than any other day of the year, and most of them were near homes.
The National Association of State Fire Marshalls estimates that fires resulting from fireworks cause about $20 million in property damage every year.
Fireworks are wildly popular, but they have been linked to air pollution increases, and environmentalists are concerned about their negative effects on wildlife.23
Although they're fleeting and infrequent, fireworks shows spray out a toxic concoction that rains down quietly into lakes, rivers, and bays throughout the country.4 Many of the chemicals in fireworks are also persistent in the environment, meaning they stubbornly sit there instead of breaking down.56
The stars inside a firework are made up of heavy metals that produce their awe-inspiring colors.7 Like with perchlorates, the exact effect of fireworks’ heavy-metal fallout is largely still a mystery, though some studies suggest that the heavy metals have a seriously negative impact on human and environmental health.8
Common heavy metal colorants in fireworks include:
Strontium (red)
Aluminum (white)
Copper (blue)
Barium (green)
Rubidium (purple)
Cadmium (various)
Firework Alternatives A laser light show
There's a human cost, too. The Consumer Product Safety Commission estimates that more than 11,500 people were injured by fireworks last year.
To make matter’s worse you brought in the blue angels from The south east coast to south dekota which caused more unnecessary green house gasses and Trump flew out on his jet .All unnecessary -all adding to climate crisis diasters such ae Florida’s flooding with it 83 person death toll and 71 billion dollars in property damage
and the Mount Rushmore show was all at tax payer expense ?
I am very concerned with the mega drought which is caused deforestation and greenhouse gas emissions( were you aware that the live stock industry generates more green house gases than all forms of transpiration combined (cars , busses , trucks, trains, ships , air craft )
Where you aware that the paper that make up fire works( which unlike food are a non essential commodity ) comes from trees that have to be cut so that there are fewer trees to transpire water and less rain ?
Where you aware that the CO2 and sulfur dioxide emitted by completely unnecessary fire works contributes to globle warming making the droughts just that much worse
and all this at tax payer expense ?
Please show your allegiance to the United States of America and your God given wisdom by diverting the funds from unnecessarily destroying trees to planting them and helping cattle farmers adapt to plant based cash crops
Please see the following scientific videos
Regenerative Grazing Debunked by science
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OSAz-...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rKjQf...
To get a better grasp on how trees bring rain see these videos
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wJz_m...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L3-Du...
17:50 “ world wide 80-90% of the water entering earths atmosphere is not coming from evaporation .It is coming from transpiration, It’s coming from plants”
You may be supervised that with all the water in the oceans evaporation form the ocean accounts for only 10-20% of water the entering earth’s atmosphere and 80-90% comes from plants but the leaves and blades of plants comprise a much greater surface area than the relatively flat surface area of the surface of the earths ocean soceans , lakes and rivers
https://www.walterreeves.com/landscap.... Says
Forester Dr. Kim Coder says that a very rough estimate can be gotten by measuring the area (in square feet) beneath the crown of a tree and multiplying by 4. This gives you the estimated total leaf surface area of the tree in square feet. Example: the sweetgum in my front yard has a crown 30 feet wide. The area under it is approximately 700 square feet. Multiplied by 4, I see that the single tree has 2,800 square feet of leaf area. A big oak tree might have a crown 50 feet wide. In that case, one could estimate the tree has 63,000 leaves with a surface area of 15,750 sq ft )
https://www.usgs.gov/special-topics/w... (scroll down to “How much water to plants transpire ? ” ) says
a large oak tree can transpire 40,000 gallons per year. (109.589 gallon per day)
May 6, 2024
3/5
My rating of this book is going to be as nonpolitical as possible.
I really enjoyed the first half of this book. Noem’s life on the farm was a fun insight into her childhood and where she developed an interest in politics. I felt the stories were well written and cohesive.
When the book first started mentioning politics, I felt like it did a good job of explaining how she got into her position and why she ran. As a Representative, she mentions having to defend South Dakota to other republicans in the country. I really liked that she didn’t choose to tear down the South Dakota democrats at this point, but I also understood that this book was going to get more performative from here on out.
The end of the book is where things started to go a little all over the place. I’m not gonna talk about the stories because I don’t agree with her opinions and I didn’t feel her words represented the actions I saw from her. The ending of the book felt like a collage of all the things she’s accomplished and didn’t really have a nice flow to it like the beginning did. I felt like it was an attempt to cram in a lot of political moves but they just didn’t have a good connection, and it didn’t feel like good writing.
To be honest, political opinions aside, I felt like this book could’ve been a lot better if Noem had just stuck to her story growing up rather than trying to show all of these political things she’s done.
My rating of this book is going to be as nonpolitical as possible.
I really enjoyed the first half of this book. Noem’s life on the farm was a fun insight into her childhood and where she developed an interest in politics. I felt the stories were well written and cohesive.
When the book first started mentioning politics, I felt like it did a good job of explaining how she got into her position and why she ran. As a Representative, she mentions having to defend South Dakota to other republicans in the country. I really liked that she didn’t choose to tear down the South Dakota democrats at this point, but I also understood that this book was going to get more performative from here on out.
The end of the book is where things started to go a little all over the place. I’m not gonna talk about the stories because I don’t agree with her opinions and I didn’t feel her words represented the actions I saw from her. The ending of the book felt like a collage of all the things she’s accomplished and didn’t really have a nice flow to it like the beginning did. I felt like it was an attempt to cram in a lot of political moves but they just didn’t have a good connection, and it didn’t feel like good writing.
To be honest, political opinions aside, I felt like this book could’ve been a lot better if Noem had just stuck to her story growing up rather than trying to show all of these political things she’s done.
September 27, 2022
This book made me proud to be from South Dakota. We are a hearty group of people who band together & help each other. Glad to have Kristi Noem as our leader. She did a great job of presenting her life & ideals in this book. Keep up the good work Governor Noem!
July 28, 2022
Amazing woman!!
June 30, 2022
I didn't read the Kindle Edition - I bought the hardback and read it in a day. It is very readable and touching, especially in recounting the accidental death of of Noem's father, a South Dakota farmer. Her point of view is presented humbly and, as near as I can tell, honestly and without malice towards her opponents and enemies. I was pleased to read of her efforts, of which some of this memoir apparently is intended as a part, to make better known and improve the lot of the Native American citizens of her state. I learned a good deal about South Dakota and about the challenges of farming from this book. In my opinion, the final chapters on the pandemic and the return of fireworks to Mount Rushmore on July 4, 2020, certainly deserve to be widely read.
July 18, 2022
Great memoir. South Dakota governor Kristi Noem tells about her childhood on a ranch, her father’s tragic death in a farm accident, and how she became involved in politics. The hard work and grit she learned growing up have helped her stand up for South Dakotans, including refusing to require mask and vaccine mandates during Covid (mandates which have proven to be useless and sometimes even harmful). Noem is an admirable woman and leader.
Listened on Overdrive
Listened on Overdrive
July 1, 2022
I couldn't get enough of Kristi Nome's story of growing up in the Heartland and understanding the basic values of God, family, hard work, sacrificing, and giving back. I cried, laughed, and cheered as I read the Governor's personal story of perseverance, never giving up, and standing up for what she believed was right in the face of strong opposition.
July 1, 2022
Read this in one day! The only disappointment was that Noem didn’t narrate the audio although I did like the narrator and found her to comparable tone to Noem. Humble roots and hard work ethic, this is not your typical political memoir. I love South Dakota and the Black Hills!
September 4, 2024
great book that provides an insightful look into her life.
March 3, 2025
A Great American
I bought this book knowing very little about our new leader of Homeland Security and after finishing the book realize she is the perfect choice. Secretary Noem's love and reverence for God, her family, the people and lands of South Dakota, and America are evident in each chapter. A very well written political and personal memoir that was a pleasure to read. Her love and respect for her father (tragically killed in a farm accident when Kristi was 22) along with her thought process in leading South Dakota during the Covid pandemic was particularly absorbing and educational reading. Is it too early for Kristi for Presient - 2028?
I bought this book knowing very little about our new leader of Homeland Security and after finishing the book realize she is the perfect choice. Secretary Noem's love and reverence for God, her family, the people and lands of South Dakota, and America are evident in each chapter. A very well written political and personal memoir that was a pleasure to read. Her love and respect for her father (tragically killed in a farm accident when Kristi was 22) along with her thought process in leading South Dakota during the Covid pandemic was particularly absorbing and educational reading. Is it too early for Kristi for Presient - 2028?
May 9, 2024
Not everyone should write a memoir and Kristi should have thought this through. Now that she’s a public figure on the national stage, it’s too easy to prove how little of her story is actually real.
May 8, 2024
I would have given it zero stars, but at least she doesn’t shoot a puppy in the head in this one
November 7, 2022
A fascinating life story!
July 2, 2022
Former congressman and current governor of South Dakota shares her early life growing up in farm country in the eastern part of the state, her journey into politics, her time in congress, and her first term as the first woman to serve as governor of her state.
It’s not surprising to learn that Kristi Noem grew up a confident kid with an independent streak and a “We don’t complain about things, we fix them” attitude. After all, it takes grit and courage to survive and thrive in contemporary American politics.
We witnessed Governor Noem’s hands-off approach to pandemic restrictions elevate her to national prominence when the corrupt, biased corporate media criticized her at every turn. But the results her approach achieved vindicated her and proved them all wrong. Now we get to read how growing up on her family’s farm instilled the very traits that make her a proactive, wise, and effective leader.
As the author amply shows, her can-do attitude sprang from her family’s influence, faith, and a strong work ethic developed since childhood. Noem has faced adversity at times, leaving her wondering if she was up to the challenge. Nevertheless, she persisted, successfully taking over and operating her family farm and businesses after her father died before circumstances thrust her into politics.
With uncommon candor and refreshing humility, she recounts how the tragic loss of her father led to her fateful decision to run for her first political office. But we cannot dismiss Noem as just another ambitious politician despite her natural leadership abilities and political acumen. It’s clear being a wife, mother, and grandmother is as much a priority as any office she holds, and she strikes a healthy balance which is no small feat.
Noem has served her state with honor, grace, and determination. Even though a former congresswoman and current governor wrote this book, it’s not a book about politics. Instead, it’s a memoir about “a wife, mother, and grandmother who has learned a thing or two about politics in America.” You won’t find any of the self-serving, self-aggrandizing tripe you may have read in some of the other recent memoirs written by other political figures.
To say this book is inspiring would be an understatement. Noem’s story gives hope to other Americans who share her values and beliefs when we desperately need it. It isn’t what Noem tells you about herself that makes you come away from this book admiring her. It’s the straightforward way she explains what she believes. She appreciates and values the legacy of freedom our founders gifted us with and embraces the true history of our nation, not the false revisionist version pressed by those who seek to impose upon Americans a culture and an ideology completely foreign to our nature.
Not My First Rodeo: Lessons From the Heartland by Kristi Noem is an engaging memoir, and a lively treatise on a life lived with extraordinary grace under extraordinary circumstances.
It’s not surprising to learn that Kristi Noem grew up a confident kid with an independent streak and a “We don’t complain about things, we fix them” attitude. After all, it takes grit and courage to survive and thrive in contemporary American politics.
We witnessed Governor Noem’s hands-off approach to pandemic restrictions elevate her to national prominence when the corrupt, biased corporate media criticized her at every turn. But the results her approach achieved vindicated her and proved them all wrong. Now we get to read how growing up on her family’s farm instilled the very traits that make her a proactive, wise, and effective leader.
As the author amply shows, her can-do attitude sprang from her family’s influence, faith, and a strong work ethic developed since childhood. Noem has faced adversity at times, leaving her wondering if she was up to the challenge. Nevertheless, she persisted, successfully taking over and operating her family farm and businesses after her father died before circumstances thrust her into politics.
With uncommon candor and refreshing humility, she recounts how the tragic loss of her father led to her fateful decision to run for her first political office. But we cannot dismiss Noem as just another ambitious politician despite her natural leadership abilities and political acumen. It’s clear being a wife, mother, and grandmother is as much a priority as any office she holds, and she strikes a healthy balance which is no small feat.
Noem has served her state with honor, grace, and determination. Even though a former congresswoman and current governor wrote this book, it’s not a book about politics. Instead, it’s a memoir about “a wife, mother, and grandmother who has learned a thing or two about politics in America.” You won’t find any of the self-serving, self-aggrandizing tripe you may have read in some of the other recent memoirs written by other political figures.
To say this book is inspiring would be an understatement. Noem’s story gives hope to other Americans who share her values and beliefs when we desperately need it. It isn’t what Noem tells you about herself that makes you come away from this book admiring her. It’s the straightforward way she explains what she believes. She appreciates and values the legacy of freedom our founders gifted us with and embraces the true history of our nation, not the false revisionist version pressed by those who seek to impose upon Americans a culture and an ideology completely foreign to our nature.
Not My First Rodeo: Lessons From the Heartland by Kristi Noem is an engaging memoir, and a lively treatise on a life lived with extraordinary grace under extraordinary circumstances.
March 24, 2023
If you don’t like to read about politics, or are unwilling to read something that may not align with your own, then this books isn’t for you.
While we may not always agree politically there is power in setting one’s own agendas aside and truly listening to others. This is where personal growth happens and I think we can all agree there is always room for growth. This book encouraged me do just that… sit and listen more.
If you are interested in reading about farming culture and importance of family, or about women who are willing to fight an uphill battle, stand firm in what they believe, and the lessons learned along the way then I would highly recommend this book.
While we may not always agree politically there is power in setting one’s own agendas aside and truly listening to others. This is where personal growth happens and I think we can all agree there is always room for growth. This book encouraged me do just that… sit and listen more.
If you are interested in reading about farming culture and importance of family, or about women who are willing to fight an uphill battle, stand firm in what they believe, and the lessons learned along the way then I would highly recommend this book.
July 6, 2022
Enjoyable and Inspiring from Start to Finish
I have always liked Governor Noem and her practical, no nonsense, and **restrained** approach to government. After reading her book, I like her even more. You can’t help but admire her and her family as she tells the ups and downs of farm life in South Dakota. She is never afraid to take on a new challenge and is an inspiration to our country.
I have always liked Governor Noem and her practical, no nonsense, and **restrained** approach to government. After reading her book, I like her even more. You can’t help but admire her and her family as she tells the ups and downs of farm life in South Dakota. She is never afraid to take on a new challenge and is an inspiration to our country.
July 3, 2022
Really enjoyed reading this. Hearing of the govenors father passed away for so tragic, ot made me cry along with her. Loved reading about the Mt Rushmore fireworks. I was there and hearing about all the red tape makes me happy that I was there for it even more.
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