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The Luckiest Man
- Life with John McCain
- Narrated by: John Bedford Lloyd, Mark Salter
- Length: 24 hrs and 58 mins
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Publisher's summary
A “moving and lucidly written memoir” (The Wall Street Journal) of the late Senator John McCain from one of his closest and most trusted confidants, friends, and political advisors.
More so than almost anyone outside of McCain’s immediate family, Mark Salter had unparalleled access to and served to influence the Senator’s thoughts and actions, cowriting seven books with him and acting as a valued confidant. Now, in The Luckiest Man, Salter draws on the storied facets of McCain’s early biography as well as the later-in-life political philosophy for which the nation knew and loved him, delivering an intimate and comprehensive account of McCain’s life and philosophy.
Salter covers all the major events of McCain’s life — his peripatetic childhood, his naval service — but introduces, too, aspects of the man that the public rarely saw and hardly knew. Woven throughout this narrative is also the story of Salter and McCain’s close relationship, including how they met, and why their friendship stood the test of time in a political world known for its fickle personalities and frail bonds.
Through Salter’s revealing and “psychological portrait” (The Washington Post) of one of our country’s finest public servants, McCain emerges as both the man we knew him to be and also someone entirely new. Glimpses of his restlessness, his curiosity, his courage, and sentimentality are rendered with sensitivity and care — as only Mark Salter could provide. The capstone to Salter’s intimate and decades-spanning time with the Senator, The Luckiest Man is the authoritative last word on the stories McCain was too modest to tell himself and an influential life not soon to be forgotten.
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The chiefs of staff, often referred to as "the gatekeepers", wield tremendous power in Washington and beyond; they decide who is allowed to see the president, negotiate with Congress to push POTUS's agenda, and - most crucially - enjoy unparalleled access to the leader of the free world. Through extensive, intimate interviews with 18 living chiefs (including Reince Priebus) and two former presidents, award-winning journalist and producer Chris Whipple pulls back the curtain on this unique fraternity. In doing so, he revises our understanding of presidential history.
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Interesting, but lacking in political objectivity
- By Stephen Watson on 09-04-17
By: Chris Whipple
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Lyndon
- An Oral Biography
- By: Merle Miller
- Narrated by: Grover Gardner
- Length: 32 hrs and 39 mins
- Unabridged
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Best-selling presidential biographer Merle Miller has crafted a candid portrait of one of the most complex, fascinating, difficult, and colorful figures in American history. From his birth in 1908 to his death in 1973, the story of Lyndon B. Johnson is told with no sparing his personal excesses and contentious public image - while also highlighting the strength of his greatest accomplishments in Washington.
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Flawless
- By Jeffrey on 01-04-21
By: Merle Miller
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Days of Fire
- Bush and Cheney in the White House
- By: Peter Baker
- Narrated by: Mark Deakins
- Length: 29 hrs and 15 mins
- Unabridged
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Theirs was the most captivating American political partnership since Richard Nixon and Henry Kissinger: a bold and untested president and his seasoned, relentless vice president. Confronted by one crisis after another, they struggled to protect the country, remake the world, and define their own relationship along the way. In Days of Fire, Peter Baker chronicles the history of the most consequential presidency in modern times through the prism of its two most compelling characters, capturing the elusive and shifting alliance of George Walker Bush and Richard Bruce Cheney as no historian has done before.
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A balanced account of the W and Cheney White House
- By Scott on 11-15-13
By: Peter Baker
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Bush
- By: Jean Edward Smith
- Narrated by: Tom Perkins
- Length: 25 hrs and 2 mins
- Unabridged
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In Bush, Jean Edward Smith demonstrates that it was not Dick Cheney, Donald Rumsfeld, or Condoleezza Rice, but President Bush himself who took personal control of foreign policy. Bush drew on his deep religious conviction that important foreign-policy decisions were simply a matter of good versus evil. Domestically, he overreacted to 9/11 and endangered Americans' civil liberties.
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Delusions of Competence
- By Rick on 11-18-16
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Nixon's White House Wars
- The Battles That Made and Broke a President and Divided America Forever
- By: Patrick J. Buchanan
- Narrated by: Arthur Morey
- Length: 17 hrs and 34 mins
- Unabridged
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From Vietnam to the Southern Strategy, from the opening of China to the scandal of Watergate, Pat Buchanan - speechwriter and senior adviser to President Nixon - tells the untold story of Nixon's embattled White House, from its historic wins to it devastating defeats. In his inaugural address, Nixon held out a hand in friendship to Republicans and Democrats alike. But by the fall of 1969, massive demonstrations in Washington and around the country had been mounted to break his presidency.
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Interesting
- By Jean on 06-15-17
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The Restless Wave
- Good Times, Just Causes, Great Fights, and Other Appreciations
- By: John McCain, Mark Salter
- Narrated by: John McCain, Beau Bridges
- Length: 14 hrs and 15 mins
- Unabridged
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In a time when Washington, DC and the country are more polarized than they have been for decades, John McCain is the rare public figure who has earned the respect of people on both sides of the aisle. He is a model for bipartisanship and political integrity. In his 40 years in politics, McCain has never been afraid to buck trends or ruffle a few feathers. His words are more important today than ever.
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A true patriot
- By Diane Peresie on 05-29-18
By: John McCain, and others
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In My Time
- A Personal and Political Memoir
- By: Dick Cheney, Liz Cheney
- Narrated by: Edward Herrmann, Dick Cheney
- Length: 20 hrs
- Unabridged
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In his unmistakable voice and with an insider's eye on history, former Vice President Dick Cheney tells the story of his life and the nearly four decades he has spent at the center of American politics and power. In My Time is truly the last word about an incredible political era, by a man who lived it and helped define it - with courage and without compromise.
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Great Book
- By reader on 09-05-11
By: Dick Cheney, and others
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1960
- LBJ vs. JFK vs. Nixon--The Epic Campaign That Forged Three Presidencies
- By: David Pietrusza
- Narrated by: Jeff Cummings
- Length: 18 hrs and 40 mins
- Unabridged
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It was the election that would ultimately give America "Camelot" and its tragic aftermath. 1960 is a stunning recreation of the bare-knuckle politics of the primaries, the party conventions' backroom dealings, the unprecedented television debates, along with hot-button issues of race, religion, and foreign policy. And, at the center of it all, three future presidents - Lyndon Johnson, John F. Kennedy, and Richard Nixon. In this essential work of history, David Pietrusza chronicles 1960's struggle for power by bringing to life its towering events and personalities, unlocking its secrets, and turning expert scholarship into rich, human storytelling.
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No F words, but the N-word is allowed
- By Porter on 12-04-18
By: David Pietrusza
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Team of Five
- The Presidents Club in the Age of Trump
- By: Kate Andersen Brower
- Narrated by: Erin Bennett
- Length: 9 hrs and 50 mins
- Unabridged
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From the number one New York Times best-selling author of The Residence and First Women - also a New York Times best seller - comes a poignant, news-making look at the lives of the five former presidents in the wake of their White House years, including the surprising friendships they have formed through shared perspective and empathy.
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Fascinating
- By Jean on 06-18-20
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How Ike Led
- The Principles Behind Eisenhower's Biggest Decisions
- By: Susan Eisenhower
- Narrated by: Bernadette Dunne, Susan Eisenhower
- Length: 12 hrs and 40 mins
- Unabridged
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Few people have made decisions as momentous as Eisenhower, nor has one person had to make such a varied range of them. From D-Day to Little Rock, from the Korean War to Cold War crises, from the Red Scare to the Missile Gap controversies, he was able to give our country eight years of peace and prosperity by relying on a core set of principles. These were informed by his heritage and upbringing, his strong character and his personal discipline, but he also avoided making himself the center of things. He tried to be the calmest man in the room, not the loudest.
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A President of the UNITED States
- By Happy Doc on 09-10-20
By: Susan Eisenhower
What listeners say about The Luckiest Man
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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- James Adams
- 11-24-20
An American Hero
An opportunity to really understand and appreciate a remarkable life of an American hero, who paid the price of service in war, and learned what true valor is. John McCain embodied so much of the best of America: a deep sense of service to others, a solid foundation of values, a moral compass, courage, a great sense of humor. While I did not agree with every stance he took, I admire and honor how he stood true to his principles - our American principles. He made me proud to call him my senator.
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1 person found this helpful
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- Amazon Customer
- 01-22-21
Fantastic!
This book was far better than I have the ability to convey. I highly recomend it.
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- HappyHeathen
- 10-30-21
Wonderful tribute
Thoughtful and insightful description of and tribute to Senator McCain. Very much enjoyed by this democrat.
Another respected congressional lion that will be missed
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- Jorge Lazaro Diaz
- 10-04-22
Great man with a great story
I always admired the man. This book describe so much about him I didn’t know tu that was impressive. It also gave me a peek into what drove him to do what he did.
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- Robert J. Kunikoff
- 12-08-20
An in-depth look at the life of John McCann
Perhaps it was reading this book so close to the 2020 election but I found it to be a bit too detailed for my taste especially during The discussion of how bills make their way through through Congress. I have to confess that I skipped parts of chapters but thoroughly enjoyed the parts of that discussed the senators youth his upbringing his years at school and in the Navy as well as his latter years
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- Steve
- 11-08-20
A Great Book About A Great Man
I regret knowing this is likely the last book I get about John McCain. Fantastic!
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1 person found this helpful
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- Meg
- 10-22-20
Essential Reading
This is a profoundly moving book about an American of honor and valor, the likes of which we're likely not to see again for a lifetime. Regardless of one's politics there are many ideas here to ponder. For me the book also explains a number of contemporary political events - details and viewpoints that were very instructive to me. I cannot think of a book more worthwhile for today.
The writing in this book is quite "lovely" for a book on a political figure. I found a couple accountings of Senate bills and votes quite dry. But those were important in creating the biography and kept probably as brief as possible. Overall, the writing has complex events moving along at a good pace. The author includes stories, anecdotes, and direct quotes that are often stunning and noteworthy. Many times these were so vivid they left me feeling as if I was right there in the office, on the floor, or engaging with McCain myself. The narrator seemed just perfect to me, This will be among my most favorite books and everyone I know will be getting a copy for Christmas. People around the world know John McCain and it is essential to know McCain's story well. And this author tells it so beautifully.
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7 people found this helpful
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- Susan S
- 07-22-21
Amazing man amazing story he was a true American
Amazing man amazing story should be required reading for all during these times of so much political division
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- C. Clymer
- 10-31-20
please read
I finished this book 4 days before the 2020 Presidential election. This book restored and revitalized my spirit of patriotism. What can I do to support and affirm the purpose of America? Please take the time to read this book!
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2 people found this helpful
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- Dave Aardappel
- 10-28-20
Must Read/Listen
This increased my admiration and appreciation of John McCain by a big multiplier for sure. We were fortunate to have a true patriot and humanitarian in our midst who fought and worked for us and our nation.
He was a man who looked out for people who needed someone like him in their corner. The audio version was well read and I’m very glad I bought it.
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1 person found this helpful