We've Got to Try

How the Fight for Voting Rights Makes Everything Else Possible

By: Beto O'Rourke

Narrated by: Beto O'Rourke

This program is read by the author.

“Uplifting. . . . O’Rourke gets an A-plus on both the moral frisson of the long fight and the rightness of the cause. . . . The happy warrior from Texas is inspiring.” --The Washington Post

Activist and political leader Beto O’Rourke blends history, sociology, and travelogue for a thrilling, inspiring case for how voting rights is essential to a productive and healthy democracy.

In We’ve Got To Try, O’Rourke shines a spotlight on the heroic life and work of Dr. Lawrence Aaron Nixon and the west Texas town where he made his stand. The son of an enslaved man, Nixon grew up in the Confederate stronghold of Marshall, Texas before moving to El Paso, becoming a civil rights leader, and helping to win one of the most significant civil and voting rights victories in American history: the defeat of the all-white primary. His fight for the ballot spanned 20 years and twice took him to the U.S. Supreme Court.

With heart, eloquence, and powerful storytelling, O’Rourke weaves together Nixon’s story with those of other great Texans who changed the course of voting rights and improved America’s democracy. While connecting voting rights and democracy to the major issues of our time, O’Rourke also shares what he saw, heard, and learned while on his own journey throughout the 254 counties of his home state. By telling the stories of those he met along the way and bringing us into the epicenter of the current fight against voter suppression, the former El Paso Congressman shows just how essential it is that the sacred right to vote is protected and that we each do our part to save our democracy for generations to come.

A Macmillan Audio production from Flatiron Books.

©2022 Beto O'Rourke (P)2022 Macmillan Audio

Inspiring storytelling and Texas voting rights history

Inspiring and truthful storytelling of our Texas history and on a greater scale, our country. This will hopefully inspire more citizens to exercise their right to vote and continue to fight for the voting rights of all Americans. Thank you, Beto, for leading the way with this generation of Texans!

Texas History I was never taught

As an only -parent, I write this review while my kiddo switches the laundry.

I’m not surprised by all of the untold history lessons Beto has experienced while traveling our state. I’m glad he has shared these experiences. Most of us would never have known.

Glad the book isn’t about him, and is more about us.

A sordid part of Texas history…

That should be taught in schools. White primaries, “Good Governance” councils, Loyalty Rangers, Jaybird primaries, “poll watchers”—-people need to know about these things so they can work to rid our society of these curses. An excellent story that needs to be told!

Truly Outstanding!

As a Texas transplant, I knew none is this history. We must have a complete grasp on the errors of our past in order to not ever, ever repeat them. Thank you, Beto! 🫶🏻

Powerful, Sobering Raw Truth that inspires

I love the title "We've Got to Try" because it applies to every aspect of our lives. I appreciate this book so much because it gives a straight forward history lesson for Texans that impacts the lives of all Americans in every state. I love the author's passion for tenacity and perseverance, it is truly infectious and inspiring. I am a "simple, everyday nobody" that can see that powerful changes come from people just like me. It is the will and determination to make America live up to its ideals of justice and equality that eventually win the day over long periods of time; sometimes our life times. I especially recommend this book for young people from High School to young adulthood.

We've Got To Try

Beto is brilliant and honest. His political and historical knowledge, intelligence, sincerity, and respect for truth and democracy are inspirational and aspirational. Helps that he has a really cool voice too. Made this a very pleasant, inspiring, and motivating experience. His writing is as articulate and passionate as his speeches. His voice carries with strength, courage, compassion, and conviction. Truly a gifted and talented writer and speaker, philosopher and teacher, and overall badass.

A very important book!!

The stories Beto O’Rourke has told here are vitally important messages for our current time, not only in our country as a whole, but in the state of Texas which has always been a racist state, but is currently taking an even more extreme right turn to becoming a dystopian state. Bravo Beto for this book, the inspiring and cautionary tales of the people in these stories that he retells, and for his powerful bravery of calling out the truth with a beautiful positive message as he campaigns for Governor, a campaign I am working on.

Amazing

One of the best audio books I have ever listened to. I would recommend it for anyone who wants to learn about loading rights.

Inspiring!

The history that is told here is so inspiring. The stories give me hope that there may still be a chance to save this country.

Informative and Inspiring

I did not know most of the stories Beto tells in We’ve Got to Try. Everyone should be aware of the stories told in this book because they explain why we cannot give up now even though it feels so overwhelming to continue to fight for rights.