All's Fair: Love, War, and Running for President

by James Carville, Mary Matalin, Peter Knobler

The most-awaited memoir of the year: the incredible political and romantic tale of George Bush and Bill Clinton's key aids. Revealing in its inside tales of the last presidential race, this memoir is a surefire bestseller. 16 pages of photographs.

Genres: Politics, Nonfiction, Memoir, Biography, History, Biography Memoir, Humor

528 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1994

About the author

James Carville is an former U.S. Marine, political consultant, commentator, actor, media personality and pundit. Known as "the Ragin' Cajun," Carville gained national attention for his work as the lead strategist of the successful presidential campaign of then-Arkansas governor Bill Clinton. Carville was the co-host of CNN's Crossfire until its final broadcast in June 2005. Since its cancellation, he has appeared on CNN's news program, The Situation Room. As of 2006, he hosts a weekly program on XM Radio titled 60/20 Sports with Luke Russert, son of NBC's Tim Russert. He is married to Republican political consultant Mary Matalin.

Reviews

[Megargee · Rating 3 out of 5]

A chronologically organized inside history of the 1992 Presidential race between George H. W. Bush and then-Gov. Bill Clinton as told by two principals in the respective campaigns, Mary Matalan, Bush's political director, and James Carville, Clinton's campaign director. The book takes on added interest because of Matalan and Carville's simultaneous ongoing romance culminating in their subsequent marriage. However the primary focus is on the Bush and Clinton campaigns and, within the campaigns, on the personalities and political strategies more than the policies or principles. The book is organized so that statements by James and Mary alternate throughout.
While Carville was able to form a rapid response team that operated around the clock to react to ongoing events and form a unified campaign post ("The War Room") located in Little Rock, away from the media centers, Matalan and the campaign were hindered by feuds and disagreements between the White House and campaign staffs and a lack of unified decision making. Spoiler alert: Clinton won.

[Rae · Rating 3 out of 5]

An entertaining account of the Clinton/Bush election campaign of 1992. Mary Matalin worked on Bush's campaign and Carville worked for Clinton. They ended up marrying each other and are still together (with opposing political philosophies) after twenty-or-so years. Even though it's dated, this would be a great read during any election cycle.

[Karly · Rating 2 out of 5]

I wish I had the drive to finish reading this book, but I couldn't. It is long and kind of slow. I like the constant change of perspective though.

[Lukasz Pruski · Rating 3 out of 5]

It has taken me three months to read Mary Matalin's and James Carville's book "All's Fair: Love, War, and Running for President" (co-written by Peter Knobler), and it has been time well spent. This non-fiction book mostly focuses on the 1992 presidential campaign in the U.S. It is a book about the dirty craft of political campaigning. In other words, the book teaches us how to cheat more voters more effectively. (Of course, the voters deserve to be cheated; after all, they often believe the candidates.)

Ms. Matalin was one of the very top people on the Bush team, while Mr. Carville was the top strategist in the Clinton campaign. They were mortal enemies in their work, yet they were in love with each other at the same time. (They married in 1993, and very much remain so 20 years later.)

Mary Matalin's stuff seem to be a little deeper than James Carville's but maybe only because she is looking for the reasons of her side losing. Most of her observations are quite insightful, but I do not like her "blame management" game. She blames 1) the press, 2) Ross Perot, 3) Lawrence E. Walsh, 4) the right wingers, 5) early lack of coordination with the White House team. At the same time, she underemphasizes the central and crucial facts that A) their campaign was not focused enough on economic issues and that B) Bill Clinton's persona resonated better with more people than that of George H.W. Bush's. James Carville also provides some observations of significant depth, while skillfully cultivating his self-made image of an obnoxious loudmouth with a heart of gold.

The reports from both conventions are fabulously illuminating, and I particularly appreciate Ms. Matalin's criticism of their side's convention for its "culture wars" emphasis. I wish she had the same amount of insight into the overall reasons for her side's failure. I also wish the book were only about the presidential campaign, omitting all pre-campaign details.

Three and a half stars.

[Theresa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was interested in this book for the novelty of such different ideologies finding not only common ground, but love. As I read the book, although I had identified more with Carville, I began respecting Matalin for her courage and fortitude breaking ground in a previously man's domain. Reading her honest report of insecurities was reassuring that maybe I could show weakness and still be a strong, intelligent, and independent woman.

[Corey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Starts a little slow during the primaries but gets more interesting when Mary and Hames are “talking” to each other as the candidates are identified. Good stories leading up to the conventions. A good book to read when watching The War Room.

Probably should read again.

[Mieko · Rating 4 out of 5]

Updating my read books and came across this hardback. In this day of such nastiness on both sides, this book is a reminder that we can have different views and still live together.

[Lenny · Rating 1 out of 5]

Too boring. Couldn't drag myself thru it! There would be a couple of interesting paragraphs and then it would just slog along!

[Andy Hill · Rating 4 out of 5]

A re-read for me, since I was interested to see how much of their insight about the political and campaign system has changed in 30 years. It was interesting to see the similarities and differences.

[~ laura ~ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Why did it take me 20 years to find this book?? I love, love, LOVED it! Fascinating to see the insider's view of how presidential campaigns are strategized & executed. If I wasn't a leftist liberal reading about a presidential election won by an even more leftist liberal, I probably wouldn't have liked it as much. Plus this was the first presidential election in which I voted, so it was more personal to me because of that.

Carville & Matalin both had very funny moments in the book. I particularly liked Carville's sense of humor & his view on the tricks he played on the GOP campaign. Funny, funny guy.

Thank you, Elena, for recommending this book. I'm now in love with Carville, and in love with the Carville/Matalin story.

Off to read their other two books now. :)

[Erikka · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is now my favorite non-fiction book. I already loved James Carville and Mary Matalin, but this book made me love them even more. Although I would have liked if there had been more about their relationship and that dynamic, I was just as pleased with learning about what goes on in a presidential campaign, especially contrasting the two parties. And the part where Carville describes how Clinton thought the public didn't like Hilary because of her haircut... I literally laughed out loud for an embarrassing amount of time.

[George Miles · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting read about the 1992 presidential election from one of the oddest political couples possible, hard core Republican Mary Matalin, political chief for the Bush campaign and James Carville, Democratic strategist extraordinaire for the Clinton campaign. Good insights into a presidential campaign, as well as how a courtship proceeds between political enemies (it basically didn't during the campaign, but they were married a year later). Looking forward to their other co-written book 20 years later.

[Amy Wolf · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just love this book! It not only charts the ins-and-outs of an intense Presidential campaign (92) but it's also the story of a romance between two political opponents! They are both strong, hilarious personalities & take turns writing each chapter. I was lucky enough to see them speak together & get an autograph. Love both of them!!

[Laura Edwards · Rating 5 out of 5]

Funny, witty and informative. The reader gains respect for both Matalin and Carville. Nice to see some people are able to put aside political differences when doing so is important, even though both are passionate about their beliefs. Oil and water do mix!

I read this book years ago and this is my review from then.

[Amber · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book probably changed my life. It gave me an interest in politics, encouraged me to date outside my political interest pool, made me want to move to D.C. and initiated my crush on James Carville. ::grin::

[Jodee · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of my favorite books. A lot of it is talking about political strategies and the intricacies of the campaign, which was really cool to me! In general, I also find these two very interesting.

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Janna recommended this book to me. It's really long and dated (about the Clinton/Bush presidential campaign), but I was engrossed by the lengths that campaigns go to spin their message, hurt the other guy and attempt to win at almost all costs.

[Jane Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent read. Who knew Mary is such a good writer? Certainly softened my view of her even though I'll never understand her politics. I've always loved James and this book gives me even more reasons.

[Annalinda Ragazzo · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this is anticipation of hearing Matalin and Carville speak at a fundraising event. An engaging examination of a presidential campaign...giving the current state of affairs, this book made me nostalgic for 1992.

[diana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very entertaining book written by one of the most interesting couples in Politics.

[Jonathan · Rating 3 out of 5]

As I thought it would be; it is political fluff. Entertaining fluff, as fluff usually is, but fluff nonetheless. For political junkies such as myself, it's a riveting look into the 1992 election.

[Danielle · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun read, an interesting pair, not earth-shattering.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was funny as hell and gave the Republican AND Democratic perspective of the same presidential race. It's even better since the Clinton won:)

[Heather Martin · Rating 4 out of 5]

How are they married to each other? This gives you a bit of an idea.

[Carrie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Probably as behind-the-scenes as you can get to both sides in the presidential political game. In spite of their TV personas and careers, both Carville and Matalin are both very human.

[Alicia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun, candid look behind the scenes of two opposing presidential candidates. Proof that two-party marriages can work!

[Tracy · Rating 4 out of 5]

if you like politics and communications strategies, this is a very fun read

[Alison]

again, one of my fav's. get to see them speak in October. SO PUMPED!!!!

[Douglas Graney · Rating 4 out of 5]

The 1992 election from both sides. A fun read.

[Harold · Rating 3 out of 5]

Really good book at looking at a presidential race from both parties perspectives,