Worthy Fights

A Memoir of Leadership in War and Peace

By: Leon Panetta, Jim Newton

Narrated by: Leon Panetta

It could be said that Leon Panetta has had two of the most consequential careers of any American public servant in the past 50 years. His first career, beginning as an army intelligence officer and including a distinguished run as one of Congress' most powerful and respected members, lasted 35 years and culminated in his transformational role as Clinton's budget czar and White House chief of staff. He then "retired" to establish the Panetta Institute with his wife of 50 years, Sylvia; to serve on the Iraq Study Group; and to protect his beloved California coastline. But in 2009, he accepted what many said was a thankless task: returning to public office as the director of the CIA, taking it from a state of turmoil after the Bush-era torture debates and moving it back to the vital center of America's war against Al Qaeda, including the campaign that led to the killing of Osama bin Laden. And then, in the wake of bin Laden's death, Panetta became the U.S. secretary of defense, inheriting two troubled wars in a time of austerity and painful choices.

Like his career, Worthy Fights is a reflection of Panetta's values. It is imbued with the frank, grounded, and often quite funny spirit of a man who never lost touch with where he came from: his family's walnut farm in beautiful Carmel Valley, California. It is also a testament to a lost kind of political leadership, which favors progress and duty to country over partisanship. Panetta is a Democrat who pushed for balanced budgets while also expanding care for the elderly and sick; a devout Catholic who opposes the death penalty but had to weigh every drone strike from 2009 through 2011. Throughout his career, Panetta's polestar has been his belief that a public servant's real choice is between leadership or crisis. Troubles always come about through no fault of one's own, but most can be prevented with courage and foresight.

©2014 Leon Panetta and Jim Newton (P)2014 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

"Worthy Fights is Panetta’s addition to the Cabinet bookshelf, and it’s very readable, with the frank descriptions of personalities and events that distinguish this genre at its best." (The Washington Post)

A Worthy Read ...

I remember seeing Leon Panetta on TV, CSpan, and trusting the man. I watched as he rose in the ranks and fought some of the fights he waged. I liked the man. He wasn't from Texas, where I live, but I would have voted for him had he been on a national ticket. And...then I heard His memories of CIA, it confirmed much of my impressions from afar about the times, the front-seat view and backstage entre provided and ... my Final Decision IS ... Again ... I Trust Him. I Am Grateful HE Choose Public Service and I will See-To-IT ~ His work is passed On to the Future Generations of My Family with copies of this Audio Book! They Need to Know This Stuff. And, Leon Panetta, is a Role Model. Thank You, Sir, for Everything and this Christmas Gift, too!

Wonderful

Fantastic insight into Congress, two White House administrations, the CIA and Defense Department.
The performance was solid by Panetta's reading. It makes a big difference when the author reads it.

Panetta for President

Really enjoyed this book. Found it so interesting about decision making and one man's life long dedication to public service. To hear it in Mr. Penetta's voice allowed his personal warmth and character to shine. I wonder why he didn't pursue higher office. I would have supported him.

You are there

Sadly this is a guy who could lead this country from the front not the back but happily he is not going to subject himself, and his family, to the idiocy of campaigning. He tells the story that the internet and crazies from both sides want to cloud in obfuscation and outright lies and distortions.
Leon is my new hero. Thank you Leon for giving us your life.

Excellent

Very Honest and Insightful.
it gives the readers a very informative
review of What goes on in the National Security
mechanism and How Decisions are taken at the
Highest Level of US Federal Government.

Educacional and earthy in a very good eay

Loved the book, even if the performance isn't professional. But to me it was a plus, because the author read with actual understanding of the situations and feelings. The first memoir of White House person who wasn't trying to "sell" some idea, or justify himself. At least I never got this feeling in this book

very insightful

Full of the insider versions of stories familiar from the news. I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in Capitol Hill, CIA, or Pentagon operations and strategy.

Modern Day History

Mr. Pancetta is a true American success. His life is full of inspiration to anyone who dreams the American dream. His contributions should never go unnoticed. He provides great insight into recent major historical events.

I should have read the reviews more carefuly

Any additional comments?

Mr. Panetta is a great American whose contributions in Congress and the executive branch were profound. Mr. Panetta is NOT, however, a great narrator, and this contribution to this book was to drag it down into sheer boredom. This is not an action story to begin with so a little drama in the performance might have held my interest. It was as if Mr. Panetta was testifying before Congress rather than trying to entertain and inform his readers.

Interesting Read

Good insight into many of the decisions that shaped intelligence and military policy over the last 10 years. It would be better without all the political bias towards the left, but that is rare these days. Overall a good read.