American Crisis

Leadership Lessons from the COVID-19 Pandemic

By: Andrew Cuomo

Narrated by: Andrew Cuomo

Governor Andrew Cuomo tells the riveting story of how he took charge in the fight against COVID-19 as New York became the epicenter of the pandemic, offering hard-won lessons in leadership and his vision for the path forward.

"An impressive road map to dealing with a crisis as serious as any we have faced." (The Washington Post)

When COVID-19 besieged the United States, New York State emerged as the global "ground zero" for a deadly contagion that threatened the lives and livelihoods of millions. Quickly, Governor Andrew Cuomo provided the leadership to address the threat, becoming the standard-bearer of the organized response the country desperately needed. With infection rates spiking and more people dying every day, the systems and functions necessary to combat the pandemic in New York - and America - did not exist. So Cuomo undertook the impossible. He unified people to rise to the challenge and was relentless in his pursuit of scientific facts and data. He quelled fear while implementing an extraordinary plan for flattening the curve of infection. He and his team worked day and night to protect the people of New York, despite roadblocks presented by a president incapable of leadership and addicted to transactional politics.

Taking listeners beyond the candid daily briefings that became must-see TV across the globe, and providing a dramatic, day-by-day account of the catastrophe as it unfolded, American Crisis presents the intimate and inspiring thoughts of a leader at an unprecedented historical moment. In his own voice, Andrew Cuomo chronicles the ingenuity and sacrifice required of so many to fight the pandemic, sharing the decision-making that shaped his policy as well as his frank accounting and assessment of his interactions with the federal government, the White House, and other state and local political and health officials. Real leadership, he shows, requires clear communication, compassion for others, and a commitment to truth-telling - no matter how frightening the facts may be.

Including a game plan for what we as individuals - and as a nation - need to do to protect ourselves against this disaster and those to come, American Crisis is a remarkable portrait of selfless leadership and a gritty story of difficult choices that points the way to a safer future for all of us.

This audiobook includes a PDF that contains A Blueprint for Going Forward.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©2020 Andrew Cuomo (P)2020 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

“It is a book unlike anything ever written by a governor before because no one has lived through and managed the crisis that he has.”—Lawrence O’Donnell

“The hero that America never realized it needed until he was on our television screens every night . . . has taken his talents to the page.”—Entertainment Weekly

Lessons Learned from An Unprecedented Pandemic

BONUS: Narrated by the Guvnor himself!

I’ve devoured Guvnor Cuomo’s daily briefings during the early days and months of the pandemic. It was a no brainer choice between Dr. Fauci-Turned-Trump-Campaign and Guvnor Cuomo’s dailies. Don’t get me wrong; I admire Dr. Fauci but soon his briefings were ambushed by the Orange Stain and made them unwatchable. I live in California and an ex-Republican. Why I’m unloading this is because I believe I’m not alone when I say Guvnor Cuomo provided guidance to Americans not just New Yorkers when things were bleak. He has the capacity and showed real leadership that no one from the federal government is capable of. He’s not perfect and he’s had misgivings throughout the pandemic but he is humble enough to acknowledge and make changes based on them. He provided morale to those who need it.
Guv - I appreciate you and congratulations on your new book. Keep up the great work and stay cool (I mean hott).

A strong voice of common sense

Intelligent and addictive
one of the great voices of common sense in this crazy time.

Great memuar of a great leader.

I could not stop listening. it filled in some of the behind-the-scenes as I was watching from home as everyone else. he helped me in my wife get through the pandemic a little easier.

Highly recommend

As a New Yorker during Covid his daily briefings provided me and so many others such comfort- the same in the book. In the book he demonstrates such empathy and honesty - it was a pleasure to listen to.

An inspirational and heartfelt listen

As someone who watched the daily briefings that Governor Cuomo speaks of in the book, hearing what was going on behind the scenes from his perspective is enlightening and encouraging. We may only be at half time in this battle against Covid but we have shown that as New Yorkers we have reason to be hopeful and to know that we have the power to work together to bring about positive change. this is not a book of dry political theory. It is a heartfelt story told by a person living through some thing absolutely devastating. It makes you laugh at points, as the governor does have a sense of humor. I thoroughly enjoyed this book.

Must read leadership lessons!!

Wonderful leadership lessons and narration by Andrew Cuomo. Have been following him since pandemic although I’m not a New Yorker and this book is like a feast for those who would love to get first hand experience of the once COVID-19 epicenter NY and for all those who admire Cuomo’s leadership.

cuomo is better than trump

having said that he demonstrates why neo liberal policies fall short of what is needed right now

Surprisingly positive

The Governor's ability to share the details about such a horrible and frightening period of time, while instilling faith in our county's ability to rise above this, is much appreciated. For the first time since 2020 (maybe longer) began, I feel hopefully about America's future.

Best read *

Gained knowledge about the challenges, processes, insiders' logic , of the decisions made in that sadly historic year.
Excellent reading drew me in .

Well written and well thought out book

To begin with, I’d have to admit I didn’t know that much about Andrew Cuomo. All I knew was that he is the Governor of New York and that at the beginning of the pandemic, he appeared on television for his state news briefings. After having heard his book on Audible, I’d have to say I have a different thought about him. He’s a good man who truly cares about his people. Throughout the book, you hear at the beginning of the chapter how the COVID crisis grew...and grew. But Andrew had his finger on the pulse, not only in the pandemic, but in his state and its needs. This is an interesting book and very relevant for these times. The author offers us an interesting insight and perspective into how devastating the pandemic is, and what hope we have for the future inspired by his tremendous work in the State of New York.