Game Change

Obama and the Clintons, McCain and Palin, and the Race of a Lifetime

By: John Heilemann, Mark Halperin

Narrated by: Dennis Boutsikaris

"This shit would be really interesting if we weren't in the middle of it."--Barack Obama, September 2008

In 2008, the presidential election became blockbuster entertainment. Everyone was watching as the race for the White House unfolded like something from the realm of fiction. The meteoric rise and historic triumph of Barack Obama.... The shocking fall of the House of Clinton - and the improbable resurrection of Hillary as Obama's partner and America's face to the world.... The mercurial performance of John McCain and the mesmerizing emergence of Sarah Palin.

But despite the wall-to-wall media coverage of this spellbinding drama, remarkably little of the real story behind the headlines has yet been told. In Game Change, John Heilemann and Mark Halperin, two of the country's leading political reporters, use their unrivaled access to pull back the curtain on the Obama, Clinton, McCain, and Palin campaigns. How did Obama convince himself that, despite the thinness of his résumé, he could somehow beat the odds to become the nation's first African-American president? How did the tumultuous relationship between the Clintons shape - and warp - Hillary's supposedly unstoppable bid? What was behind her husband's furious outbursts and devastating political miscalculations? Why did McCain make the novice governor of Alaska his running mate? And was Palin merely painfully out of her depth - or troubled in more serious ways?

Game Change answers those questions and more, laying bare the secret history of the 2008 campaign. This is a reportorial tour de force that reads like a fast-paced novel.

©2010 John Heilemann and Mark Halperin (P)2010 HarperAudio

Political smut

The narrative was great sport; there was enough catty tidbits about most of the characters who wish to lead us to remind one not to take any politician very seriously. The delicious irony of this book is the adoration that was poured on Obama and his immediate circle. Unfortunately Obama and his administration have not been able to live up to the great expectations. The author's adoration of Obama kept the juicy details of the Annointed One's faults and foibles out of the book. The Edwards reporting is priceless.

I would recommend the book to anyone who enjoys political dirt. The most interesting tidbits will be found when an Obama insider goes rogue.

Loved It!

I could not have loved this more! I'm so sad that it's over.

Interesting and Insightful

I was surprised that this book held my interest in each section. It is an objective telling of what went on behind the scenes of the campaigns. It reveals the human side of the candidates in a nonpartisan way.

Well Researched and Compelling

A fascinating tail of life on the campaign trail at the highest level of American politics. The authors pull back the curtain, and allow us a glimpse inside the campaigns inner sanctum. A cast of ego-maniacs full of self doubt, loathing, and a manic drive to reach the heights. If you are at all interested in politics you must read this book.

great book about the 2008 election

What made the experience of listening to Game Change the most enjoyable?

well, i liked the outcome which was very much to my liking. that effected the way i felt about the book. i think conservative republicans may feel very different.

Who was your favorite character and why?

obama of course. but palin was an interesting piece of work.

What about Dennis Boutsikaris’s performance did you like?

yes he did a good job reading the book. he has a good voice for audio books.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

i think i read it in four sittings. but i read most of the second half in one sitting.

Any additional comments?

there were so many "incidents happening in that election i do wish the debates were covered more comprehensively.

it is a good read if you are a obama supporter. i am and i thoroughly enjoyed the book.

Great

I couldnt put this book down! It was great to hear what the insides were thinking and dealing with during one of the hottest campaigns in the 21st century! I def would have liked to hear more about the McCains although I know everyone wants to hear about the Clintons.

Thought it'd be more independent but was more democrat based

Was some good writing just thought it'd be more unbiased. By the chapters you can just see there's much more on Obama than the other-side. I thought it was going to be a bit more equal. Still history.

Can't "put it down"

What did you love best about Game Change?

The nitty gritty of the 2008 presidential campaign.

Any additional comments?

I'm a political junkie, and was excited when this title was on sale. I have been spending way too much time listening to it the past few days. It unfolds like a thriller. Fascinating information about the inner-workings of the Obama and Clinton campaigns. Most memorable was the story of Edwards and his wife.

Addictive Nature of the Truth

Would you listen to Game Change again? Why?

I would listen to this book again because its gripping descriptions as well as narrative structure tells an interesting true story in a suspenseful format.

What was the most compelling aspect of this narrative?

The most compelling aspect of this narrative is finding out new information about the central characters. It is so very interesting because I remember this election. It was the first election I could legally vote in, so I felt I had a part in it. Thus, learning about the megalomania of John Edwards, the careless disorganization of John McCain, the tenacity of Palin, the confidence of the Clintons, and the genius of Obama had significant purpose since I felt I was getting to know these familiar people on a new intimate level.

Have you listened to any of Dennis Boutsikaris’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I have not listened to any other Dennis Boutsikaris's performances, but this does not mean that I didn't have an opinion of his voice. A voice, when considering an audiobook or hip-hop song, is central to the work. It is a key to setting the tone and expressing the ideas of the work. When I started listening to this book, I didn't favor Boutsikaris's voice; however, as I progressed in the book, I found his voice to be charming, slightly changing his delivery for each new character.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

I particularly loved the moment when Obama decided he and his team needed to move from his slump in October 2007. He moved his troops by admitting all had been off, including himself and acknowledged all of them wanted to win the election. Obama's staff had to also face the truth of their current losing state. Thus, Obama proposed changing things and he humbly inspired his staff. It was triumphal moment.

Headline Stories Up Close and Personal

If you could sum up Game Change in three words, what would they be?

Inside stories exposed

What was the most compelling aspect of this narrative?

Getting a sense of the strengths and weaknesses of the candidates

What about Dennis Boutsikaris’s performance did you like?

Perfect inflection. Not intrusive.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

There were times I didn't want to pause it, which is high praise for a non-fiction political book.

Any additional comments?

You do wonder how the reporters were able to get some of the conversations, particularly the two-person ones. Overall, had the ring of truth, and interesting to reflect on 2008 as we head into 2012.