True Gretch

What I've Learned About Life, Leadership, and Everything in Between

By: Gretchen Whitmer

Narrated by: Gretchen Whitmer

From trailblazing Michigan governor and rising Democratic star Gretchen Whitmer comes an unconventionally honest, personal, and funny account of her remarkable life and career, full of insights that guided her through a global pandemic, showdowns with high-profile bullies, and even a kidnapping and assassination plot.

When Gretchen Whitmer was growing up, her beloved grandmother Nino taught her that you can always find something good in other people. “Even the meanest person might have pretty eyes,” she would say. Nino’s words persuaded Whitmer to look for the good in any person or situation—just one of many colorful personal experiences that have shaped her political vision. (And, as Whitmer writes, one that resonated more than another piece of advice her grandmother offered, to “never part your hair in the middle.”)

In this candid and inspiring book, Whitmer reveals the principles and instincts that have shaped her extraordinary career, from her early days as a lawyer and legislator and her 2018 election as governor of Michigan, to her bold and innovative actions as she led the state through a series of unprecedented crises. Her motto in politics, she writes, is to “get shit done.”

Whitmer shares the lessons in resilience that steered her through some of the most challenging events in Michigan’s history, such as the Covid-19 pandemic, a five-hundred-year flood, the rise of domestic terrorism, and the fierce fight to protect reproductive rights.

Along the way, she tells stories about the outsize characters in her family, her lifelong clumsy streak, the wild comments she’s heard on the campaign trail, her self-deprecating social media campaigns (including her star turn as a talking potato with lipstick), and the slyly funny tactics she deploys to neutralize her opponents.

Written with Whitmer’s trademark sense of humor and straight-shooting style, True Gretch is not only a compelling account of her remarkable journey, but also a blueprint for anyone who wants to make a difference in their community, their country, or the world. It is a testament to the power of humor, perseverance, and compassion in the face of darkness.

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

©2024 Gretchen Whitmer (P)2024 Simon & Schuster Audio

Funny, heartfelt, and interesting

My favorite Audible genre is autobiographies read by the author. My favorites include Matthew McConaughey's "Green Light", David Grohl's "The Storyteller" and now "True Gretch".

I love how they took advantage of the audio format in this Audible book and included other voices and clips from her speeches. It helped bring it to life. I am a lifelong Michigander, so I remember all of these stories, and it was fascinating to hear them from the author's side. She offers her perspectives with a dry, hilarious wit. I literally laughed out loud at a few spots - not something you expect from a political figure. I highly recommend it.

It's SHARK WEEK MF

Great story line honoring her mother and grandmother. Always apologize and kindness goes a long way own your mess up

Humor and positivity!

Governor Whitmer truly displayed her profound strength, determination, courage, integrity, and leadership ability in this book. All with amazing humor and grace!

Gretchen a great storyteller

I enjoyed this book so much. Not only great messages, but great storytelling and narration. I have SOOOOO much respect for that woman from Michigan.

Balm for the democratic soul of America

Enjoyed the candor, courage, wisdom, humor, humility as well as pride in accomplishments of the current governor of Michigan,
Gretchen Whitmer. The audible version is ably narrated by the author and feels like a balm for the Democratic soul. Is our best hope in 2028 wearing fuchsia?

The honesty in reality of it

Honestly, it just made me laugh and relax and see her in a whole other way, yeah there’s a powerful woman who worked hard to achieve what she did so far, we have yet to see so much more of big Gretch

getting close to Big Gretch

it was nice to hear the details of what we saw in public and to hear her humanity and compassion

Outstanding

I love a good, authentic story about a strong woman who has come through difficulties with their heads held high and a shown what it is to not only survive but prove her worth. I really hope Governor Whitmer runs for president someday. You go girl 🫶

Sincere and Heartfelt

I read this for a variety of reasons. First of all, we went to the same school and lived in the same neighborhood, albeit my experience predates hers by some years. Secondly, my daughter is the same age and I like keeping abreast on how the generation mine created thinks and reacts. But thirdly, I've followed along on this journey being a citizen of Michigan

I found this book to be a very personal, casual revelation of Gretchen's,s life and her journey as governor I remember that winter when everyone froze. My furnace died and I was living in one room with space heaters and blankets pinned over the doors And then, during the pandemic when the sewer line clogged and we had to have a porta potty (in late March) in the driveway until we finally found a plumber who would come....with a lot of restrictions about masks and no contact It's funny now, even though taking my crone self out at 3 am to sit in the middle of the driveway wondering if some vagrant would come exploring was rather daunting.

Above all else,this book reveals a person just like the rest of us.

Candid and inspiring

Insightful account of her time as a governor and her personal challenges as a woman and a public figure.