Rating: 
Summary: Now, Let Me Tell You What I really Think About CM's Book
Review: Since I am not the type of guy active on the political scene, I didn't know who Matthews was until I read this book-for my high school government class. But in fact, I really enjoyed this book since it was an easy read, unlike many other writers, he didn't use big words hard to comprehend, rather he used everyday language and appealed to the reader by voicing his true opinions.At first, I thought he was a very hypoctical writer. He baffled Bush by saying that he was unprepared for the presidency, rediculed him for taking a month-long vacation in his home state Texas, then as you go on to the next page, he compliments his instinct and compassion towards the way he handled the disaster of 9/11. Then i came to realize that Chris is not a biased man. Based on the title of the book, he was just telling what he really thought on how he looked at politicians and political matters. He wrote down what was really on his mind, he hated Clinton but still, he thought him a great president. So this is what I thought about the book.
Rating: 
Summary: Chris Matthews writes an open letter to his fans
Review: I must confess at the start that it is hard for me to be objective about Chris Matthews. I have regularly watched his CNBC show HARDBALL for over three years. In this open letter to his fans, we learn a little more about how his strong opinions were formed and why it seems he enjoys what he does so much. Being part autobiography and part political opinion, the book is a quick read. Containing opinions on JFK, Nixon, Reagan, and his former bosses, Jimmy Carter and Tip O'Neill, to name a few, much of what Chris has to say will sound familiar to his fans. Some of it, especially his opinions on Nixon, will surprise us. For those who already know Chris, this book will be a pleasure to read. For those who don't, it will provide a glimpse of what his show is like: fast paced and refreshingly honest.
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Summary: Great read!!
Review: Chris is such a highly intelligent and enthusiastic democrat. His is the kind of spirit it will take to win the White House some day. Chris have you ever considered running for president??
I like his ability to judge the person, not the party. His praise of JFK is right on the money and his look at the Clinton presidency and other issues shows excellent insight I think. Thumbs up for this one. :)
Rating:
Summary: A really great read
Review: If you don't care what Chris Matthews really thinks, then I guess this book is not for you. However, if you're a fan of the show (probably the best political talk show on television), a political junkie who shares Matthews' enthusiasm for the "game," or just someone who'd like to hear an independent voice when it seems all one can hear are the shrieking protestors on the streets and the smug talking heads on FOX, then this book IS for you. It's a very quick read, but chock-full of biography, history, and (lots and lots of) opinion. Matthews is a Democrat, but with a very independent streak. Top advisor to Speaker Tip O'Neil in the House in the 80's--when O'Neil was the voice of opposition to Reagan's programs, Matthews nonetheless admires President Bush and has contempt for what he sees as Clinton's snakiness. But one could not say he has become a "neocon" either, for he's still proud of his old boss; and his idol remains JFK. His opinions on abortion, government, and America's role in the world cut to the quick and are often right-on. In short, the book's a lot of fun, a quick read, and worth your time. So is the show...on MSNBC weeknights at 7. He may have a motormouth, but that's because he's got a lot of great stuff to say. Best book so far is "Kennedy and Nixon" about the odd friendship and rivalry between these two leaders, it's told almost as an epic novel. Great stuff.
Rating: 
Summary: Not Matthews' best
Review: Why should I care what Chris Matthews' really thinks? The purpose of this one is to tell people how he feels about certain issues, to show people whether he is a conservative or a liberal. But I found that although the book was interesting at times, it lacked the true opinions of Matthews' on huge issues and focused more on his path to his current status instead. Pages at a time were spent on Matthews' opinion on political leaders like Nixon, Kennedy, and Reagan. True, Matthews really did say what he thought of these men, but who cares? I wanted to hear the dirt -- the real issues that affect Americans' daily lives like Social Security, taxes, etc. Matthews oftentimes appears as a fence rider, especially in his commentary on current politicos like Clinton, Bush, and Gore. Published soon after the attacks on the World Trade Center, it often seemed that Matthews rushed this book to the presses with a few obvious grammatical errors that editors missed. In short, this book seems like a weak attempt to make a buck for Matthews. The book is listed by publishers as 256 pages, but it only goes to page 215, and the first chapter doesn't start until page 19! Additionally, a title page between each chapter knocks an another 20 pages off the book. In the end, the actual 175-page (or less) book lacks substance and appears more like fluff. My favorite two parts of the book actually were quotes/commentary of other men.
1) "All men dream; but not equally. Those who dream by night in the dusty recesses of their minds wake in the day to find that it was vanity; but the dreamers of the day are dangerous men, for they may act their dream with open eyes, to make it possible. This I did." T.E. Lawrence, Seven Pillars of Wisdom
2) Matthews on Winston Churchill: "Churchill took charge of his own destiny. He placed himself at the center of the action." Placing oneself in the center of action is key. Looking over the notes that I took for each chapter, it is very apparent that this is not Matthews' best attempt at a book. "Hardball" is a wonderful insight to politics and I highly recommend it, but "Now, Let Me Tell You What I Really Think" leaves the reader with little to reflect on and much to be desired.
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Summary: And now I'll tell you what I really think
Review: I love Chris Matthews. I love Hardball. I didn't particularly care for this book. Sadly I was really disappointed with his words. I had put this book on my wish list for the holidays and was fortunate enough to receive it. I read it. I let it sit. I read it again. My opinion didn't change. He has always seemed so straightforward, yet by his own words, he contradicts himself in his book. We are of the same generation - actually very near each other in age - and I particularly didn't care for his generalization of boomer experience. I really felt he was above such things, but he proved that wrong in this book. I hope to goodness not all of my generation - especially those who actually enlisted and ended up in a war zone, rather than finding an alternative - are lumped together with Mr. Matthews. The book is good reading for his fans who believe every single thing he says, but for those who were looking for deeper opinion, it is sorely lacking.
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Summary: I appreciate Matthews' independence
Review: I picked up this book on sale and decided to give it a whirl. It was actually quite interesting. While I don't agree with his politics (Matthews is a Democrat) and it is the reason for the four stars, I can appreciate his independence, objectivity and I concur with a previous reviewer that this book is refreshingly honest. Matthews became a Democrat despite growing up in a family of Republicans and first supported Barry Goldwater for President. I was also surprised and agreed with his assessment of the Clintons too. While I think Matthews should give a little more thought as to what freedom is, The fifth chapter "Freedom Is Contagious" alone is worth the price of the book.
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Summary: Chris, Now let me tell you what I think!
Review: Chris, You never have to worry about Tom Brokaw writing a book about " YOUR " generation!
Rating:
Summary: Now, Let Me Tell You What I Really Think
Review: The book contains many of Chris Matthews views on events and experiences that have happened in the past. When I began reading this book I found his to be very biased by the way he talked about both Gore and Bush. I could not believe any one would say Gore lost the election because of the way he looks and the way he talks. Then he later on again gave more biased opinion on other great political leaders such as Nixon, Kennedy, Clinton, Carter, O'Neil, Reagan and Churchill. I did not appreciate what he had to say because I don't agree with him many of his statements since they were all opinion and have no evidence to back them up. The message of this book that the author is going to tell you what he really thinks and whether you believe it or not he hope that you agree with him or it changes your opinion so that you agree with him. I read into some of his opinions and believed them to be true and reasonably good ideas and other ideas I was rather appalled by then and did not want to believe them at all
Rating:
Summary: Easy read but sometimes ongoing
Review: PROS: I found this book to be somewhat easy to read and it did have a lot of good point, some of which I didn't understand though. Being a high school studdent I didn't know terribly much about American economics or some of the 20th century topics, with the help of this book I now know a little bit more about America in general. CONS: I didn't agree with some of his opinions in the book, it was at times confusing and/or vague. It was all generally opinion, educated or not, still just opinion. I would recomend this book to people who want to get into economy and government in general, I has a lot of tips and good points which would be of help to a student who's not too sure about certain things.
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