The Big Truth

Upholding Democracy in the Age of “The Big Lie”

By: Major Garrett, David Becker

Narrated by: Kent Klineman

When a seven-million-vote margin of victory and 306 electoral votes pointed to Joe Biden as the victor in the 2020 Presidential Election, Trump-fueled conspiracy theories exploded.

In The Big Truth, CBS's Chief Washington Correspondent Major Garrett and the nation's foremost elections expert David Becker completely upend The Big Lie that has infected the Far Right with firsthand stories of election officials like Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger and Bucks County, Pennsylvania, election director Thomas Freitag. And they reveal the concrete evidence proving that 2020 may have been the most secure US election ever.

But Garrett and Becker go beyond the key players from all six swing states, the pre-election litigation that clarified the rules for both parties, and the fully auditable and verifiable ballots used. They lay bare the methods being undertaken right now to undercut faith, belief, and effectiveness of elections, identifying the places where the most dire actions have been taken since 2020—where election laws have been changed, or election officials been hounded out of office, retired out of frustration/fatigue, or been replaced by pro-Trump political figures.

©2022 Major Garrett and David Becker (P)2022 Kalorama

Good book

Great content, lousy performance. The narration was halting and monotone. It would’ve been great if the authors had read the book.

Good story, stilted delivery

I found this book fascinating and very informative. The ending really made me rethink some of the anger towards republicans in general I’ve felt since trump was elected and especially since January 6. The only bad thing about the audio is the narrator sounds a bit like a monotone Shatner, but even then I got used to it and appreciated the way he was able to visit troubling events without hyperbole.

Learn About How our Election Process Really Works

Every 2020 election doubter should listen. The authors did a wonderful job of teaching the reader the hard work, precision and checks and balances that go into preparing for and executing an election. I would be surprised if there is any doubt after this book.

Also, educates quite a bit about the organization and financing of the January 6th insurrection, and changes currently taking place to the voting process by Republican legislators despite there being no proof of election irregularities or fraud.

I will not say it is easy listening. There are a lot of facts and statistics as the authors prove their points. The narrator... it would not have been my choice. Had to harken back to Freshman year of college = Speach and Communication class. "Listen to the message not the messenger."

It is a lot to absorb, and I would say I will circle back for a second listen.

Incredible piece of journalism

This is a fantastic, important book for the ages. But the narrator is absolutely atrocious. It sounds like a computer is reading and I almost quit in the first few minutes.

Thorough and captivating

The book begins with "a tale of 3 Januaries" which was a really attention grabbing, and puts into context how our modern election denial situation would compare if the parties were reversed. Well done.

The evidence of the strength of the 2020 election and elections prior was thorough, and I feel more educated on specific points of the American election process because of it.

We have reason to be worried, so this book is timely. But we have more reason to hear good opinions on peaceful paths forward, so this book is important.

Excellent Content, Awful Narration

This is a clear and concise description of the issues and challenges faced by our nation now. However, it was truly a truly painful Audible experience due to the fact that the narration was painfully staccato and almost sounded computer generated. Pitch imperfect.

Great Content & the Reader Sounds Like 2005 AI

Easily the greatest disparity between excellent content and incomprehensibly bad performance. Stilted doesn’t begin to describe it. Ignore the reader and listen closely as it’s an excellent book.

Important but repetative

The content was important, but repetitive at times. I found the counterfactual scenarios at the beginning of the book illustrative of the absurdity of the Big Lie; and among all the content of the book, would probably be the most helpful in changing an election denier's mind. The rest of the book contained interesting bits of information that bolstered the fact that modern American elections are extremely accurate. However, much of the content felt like filler, and in some of the later chapters, it felt like the authors were making the same point over and over again.

The narration was among the worst I've heard on Audible. The narrator spoke with a piercing monotone and sounded like he would trip over words and phrases at times.

Great writing, and important analysis.

The text is great. The narrator’s performance was a bit haulting, though, which made listening a little grating.

my take

The validation of what I have discerned over the last several years.
Validation of my sound mind, I had some doubt at least once.
Confirmation that if he wins in2024 - we’re in deep do-do.