Romney

A Reckoning

By: McKay Coppins

Narrated by: Jonathan Davis, McKay Coppins

Length: 12 hrs and 31 mins

Publisher's summary

A remarkably illuminating biography of one of America’s most fascinating political figures—including news-making revelations from Mitt Romney himself about dissension within today’s Republican Party—written with his full cooperation by an award-winning writer at The Atlantic.

Few figures in American politics have seen more and said less than Mitt Romney. An outspoken dissident in Donald Trump’s GOP, he has made headlines in recent years for standing alone against the forces he believes are poisoning the party he once led. Romney was the first senator in history to vote to remove from office a president of his own party. When that president’s supporters went on to storm the US Capitol, Romney delivered a thundering speech from the Senate floor accusing his fellow Republicans of stoking insurrection. Despite these moments of public courage, Romney has shared very little about what he’s witnessed behind the scenes over his three decades in politics—in GOP cloakrooms and caucus lunches, in his private meetings with Donald Trump and his family, in his dealings with John McCain, George W. Bush, Barack Obama, Joe Biden, Mitch McConnell, Joe Manchin, and Kyrsten Sinema. Now, exclusively for this biography, Romney has provided a window to his most private thoughts.

Based on dozens of interviews with Romney, his family, and his inner circle as well as hundreds of pages of his personal journals and private emails, this in-depth portrait by award-winning journalist McKay Coppins shows a public servant authentically wrestling with the choices he has made over his career. In lively, revelatory detail, the book traces Romney’s early life and rise through the ranks of a fast-transforming Republican Party and exposes how a trail of seemingly small compromises by political leaders has led to a crisis in democracy. Ultimately, Romney: A Reckoning is a redemptive story about a flawed politician who summoned his moral courage just as fear and divisiveness were overtaking American life.

©2023 McKay Coppins (P)2023 Simon & Schuster Audio

Critic reviews

“Remarkable. Tapping hours of interviews and access to Mitt Romney’s private journals—and revealing a captivating array of insider moments—author McKay Coppins compellingly portrays a man wrestling with his conscience as he tries to do what’s right.”—Susan Page, Washington Bureau chief at USA Today and author of Madam Speaker: Nancy Pelosi and the Lessons of Power

“An extraordinary biography. Much of the fun comes from eavesdropping on the shameless things the political class is apt to say behind closed doors. The chance to inhabit those rooms is frequently as entertaining as it is depressing.”—Mark Leibovich, author of the #1 New York Times bestsellers This Town and Thank You for Your Servitude

“As the emerging Edward Gibbon of American conservatism, McKay Coppins has written an important, vivid, and memorable portrait of that rare Republican soul who has had the courage to choose the difficult over the easy path in our tumultuous age. Mitt Romney is not perfect, but he has put principle above the strictly partisan in hours when virtually no one else had the wherewithal to do so. This is an essential book for our times.”—Jon Meacham, author of the New York Times bestsellers And There Was Light and The Soul of America

Political and intellectual biography at its best!

Anyone who wants to understand twenty-first century American politics should read this book, along with Obama’s presidential memoir (of which the second part has unfortunately yet to be published)! I don’t agree with all of Romney’s views, but I can’t help but conclude that he is a man of great integrity who cares deeply about doing the right thing and standing up for democratic principles.

Great listen as an election year is coming up

While I’m only halfway through I had to share that this book shines a light on the challenges of campaign and political life in ways that I haven’t considered. The challenges of maintaining morality and integrity while appealing to enough of the donors and masses to make the difference you want to see in the world.

While Romney had no editing power in this book, I’m already finding more respect for what he’s done in public service and the amount of character this man has maintained through it all.

Whether you like Romney or not, this read should be thought provoking and keep you thinking about where we can choose to go as Americans.

Very insightful

This book gave me cause to admire Sen Romney, even if we don’t see eye to eye on issues. The author is thorough and thoughtful, refraining from either the clever cynicism or fawning that sometimes accompanies policial biographies

Surprisingly Entertaining

I did not know what to expect when I started this book, but it grew on me and I enjoyed listening to it. Mitt Romney is complicated like most human beings, but all in all a good person.

Changed Mind

I didnt vote for mitt Romney but history will be very good to this great man and this book makes me have a ton of respect for him.

Self-reflection and integrity

Nice to see an elected official capable of self-refection and making integrity a priority. Wish there were more like him. Maybe the missionaries should be sent to Congress.

How today’s political climate punishes integrity

Mitt clearly had presidential potential. Even without the warped “basket of deplorables” DT emboldened I doubt Americans will ever elect a Mormon as president. Sorry Mitt, this world would have been a better place with your influence at the top.

He deserves our respect

Romney exemplifies the best our country has to offer. This book is insightful and honest. I’m so proud to be an American with someone like Mitt Romney as a leader. Courageous, bold, thoughtful, ingenious, intelligent, honest, and hilarious. Senator Romney, your legacy will be a bright star in a dark night.

This book went by WAY too quickly!

As a Utahan and independent minded voter, I have always been impressed and intrigued with Matt Romney. The more I learn about him, the deeper grows my adoration. When Mitt captained our 2002 Olympic bid, I was so surprised to find him BEHIND me in the regular concession line of the nosebleed section at an Olympic figure skating event. He was waiting along with the rest of us to purchase his Diet Coke and hotdog. I have always regretted that I was too star-struck to say hello and commend him for the great job he was doing.
I loved this book, and found myself wishing it was much longer. Mitt is the sort of statesman that we need in America today, He would have made an incredible President and I often wonder what the world would be like now if Mitt had served as a 2-term president. I truly think the world would be a much better place. I am just so glad that he still has the drive and energy to attempt changing the course of a downward-spiraling America through the formation of an independent group of political thinkers.
I liked everything about this book, including the unfettered access that the author had to Mitt and his journals, as well as the excellent narration. I just hope there is a part two, since Mitt has so much more to offer the world!

Hindsight, Insight, and Foresight!

I have been a Romney supporter since he became involved in politics—even volunteering for his second presidential campaign. I am even more impressed after reading the gritty, self-deprecating details of this book.

I abandoned my affiliation with the Republican Party years ago, around the same time I resigned from the Mormon church, as too many of the core values, including the ‘bottom line’ of both institutions, have become repugnant to me. But I still mourn the ‘what-ifs’ of Mr. Romney’s failed campaigns.

We desperately need people of honor and this depth of character to restore faith and hope in our political governing systems.

If this book is made into a docuseries, they should cast Billy Crudup (Cory Ellison, from The Morning Show) as Mitt Romney!