Now, Let Me Tell You What I Really Think

Rating:
Summary: It's one of the good political books out there
Review: Through out this book, particularly in chapter eight, named Truth, Chris Matthews shares his views on different political issues with the reader. For instance, on abortion, Matthews writes that polls showing the American people will not exact a token punishment from a woman who seeks an abortion should tell pro-lifers something very basic. Then he opines that the criminal code is not the right instrument; rather, the solution is for foes of abortion to make common cause with proponents to find ways to reduce the numbers of abortions while keeping abortion constitutionally protected.
About the presidential election of 2001, the author takes Al Gore's side and says, "Gore had not only won, he had cleaned Bush's clock". On a part called, "The Gender Gap", he brings about the issue of why woman voters tend to vote for the Democratic candidate. His reasoning is that the Democratic Party backs the teachers' unions, cares for our education and our health care and sees that grandparents receive their Social Security and Medicare; and that is what women are concerned with the most.
At last, I would recommand this book to any one who likes political books.This book really shows the political views and thoughts of Chris Matthews who is pretty famous in the media.

Rating:
Summary: This was the best book I have ever read
Review: He explores his personal history, including his middle-class Republican Catholic upbringing and his two years of Peace Corps service to analyze his current political positions on contemporary culture. Considering he favors Bush and he is a lifelong Democrat, he also brings out nicely by using the topic of abortion as back drop.

In 60¡¯s, he was born in Philadelphia to an Irish-American family, conservative Catholics, and Republicans. Matthews grew up a conservative but rejected the right-wing in the late 60s because of the disaster the Vietnam War. Matthews himself joined the Peace Corps to avoid being drafted. When he came back, he joined the Democrats because they were the antiwar party. He became a political aide to Congressmen, including Ronald Reagan's liberal adversary. Then he became a journalist. He wrote many opinions on many social issues in contemporary area, such as JFK, Nixon, Reagan, or his former bosses. Not knowing that much about American presidents and American History, I was a little bit confused about his story. However, as I read page by page, I could figure out his unique opinion about those mail social issues.

Rating:
Summary: Enlightening and entertaining - Hardball style
Review: "I learned that to win an ongoing battle you need two things: guts and something to believe in."

That truism is just one of the many useful adages expounded by the gutsy Chris Matthews in this short, yet lucidly entertaining book. Matthews, renowned for his frequent and oftentimes amusing interruptions of guests on Hardball, runs through the proverbial gamut of politics, life, movies, and success in this, his latest installment. What makes Matthews so entertaining is his his brash and unpredictable hyperkinetic energy that invariably leads to inscrutable questions from left field that, in turn, leave his poor guests on their toes, and more times than not, baffled due to their inability to spit out their indoctrinated diatribes.

Matthews tells of his conservative Irish Catholic upbringing in Philly, his indelible Peace Corps years in Swaziland, his ascension on Capitol Hill from a menial Capitol policeman guarding the Pentagon Papers to speechwriter for President Carter and chief aide to Speaker Tip O'Neill, and ultimately to becoming the independent newsman of today. Along the way, Matthews tells, as a bold idealist in his 20's, of his failed attempt to run for Congress in Pennsylvania against a corrupt machine politician. Just as he does so well on Hardball, so too in this book, does Matthews exude a true and admirable passion for his job, politics, and his country and the basis on which it is founded: honor, freedom, liberty, and respect. Although a bit short, nonetheless an incisive and fun read regardless of partisan leaning.

Rating:
Summary: Ah - the REAL Chris Matthews is finally revealed!
Review: ... If, like me, you genuinely LIKE Chris Matthews, you will LIKE this book. The man reveals that he has a HEART as big as his MOUTH! ( No small potatoes in this case! ) He has a sincere affection and respect for his heroes - no mater what their political persuasion - and he never hesitates, or feels ashamed, to tell you so. Bottom line: Chris Matthews is a good guy. Period. He's just a decent kind of guy - tough, but fair. He's the kind of guy you always wished you had as your best friend when you were growing up as a kid who may have been surrounded by mindless jocks, wimpy nerds, or violent punks in a neighborhood short on both brains and heart. Chris Matthews is short on neither.

... If you watch his program - HARDBALL - on TV every night ( as I do most nights ), you may have wondered why he interrups his guests so often. You find out why in this book on page 23: "The truth is, I can come up with some explanations for this oft-cited "bad" habit of mine. There's the TV excuse: I refuse to let plodding guests kill my Hardball pace. I like it fast. So does the audience - and probably even, secretly, some of those who complain do too. Or there's the professional rationale: I'm not in the PR business. I'm a journalist. Therefore, I refuse to let politicians use my show to recite their staff-scripted talking points. I could also offer the "I-grew-up-in-a-big-family" dodge. With five brothers around the table, we had to eat fast to get second helpings - and talk fast in order to get anyone to listen. But are you ready for the real reason I interrupt so much? I can't help myself. It's like that Phil Ochs song from the sixties, when he declared, "I've got something to say and I'm gonna say it now." That's me. A guest will say something, and suddenly I'll be reminded of something I'm dying to say. This book is a chance to finally get it out, to tell you what I really think."

... He does just that in this very revealing book. ... Man, can this guy talk fast! Either he's drinking some really strong java before each show, or his youthful enthusiasm is still flowing strong from an endless supply of adenosine triphosphate! His synapses are literally BURNING on camera! It's inspiring just watching him THINK - because you KNOW his brain is working way faster than his motor-mouth can get the words out. He's also got a great sense of humor! ... Can I make one suggestion, Chris? DROP the incomplete sentenses - like the one here on page 157: "Except for one hulking white-haired guy who refused to quit." Learn to incorporate the semi-colon, or at least the dash. Okay, buddy?

... Hey, if you're one of those people who believes the myth that the "media is liberal" in this country, then you may not like watching HARDBALL ( because Chris is definitely more progressive than reactionary ) or even Donahue ( also on MSNBC ) for that matter. But if you're one of those people who realizes that there is more to a person than meets the eye, then you will find when you read this book that Chris Matthews, indeed, "doesn't give a damn which party is in power," as long as our country's best interests are being served. That is the mark of a true American patriot! ... YOWZA! - The Aeolian Kid

Rating:
Summary: TV's Hardball expanded and in print form
Review: Chris Matthews tells of his background growing up in Philadelphia
as part of the boomer generation. He presents his opinions of the current state of the American politic from a combination of a historical prespective and an American movie prespective. The movies are being held out as representing what American think. Ironically in the same week I also read George Carlin's book, Dennis Miller's book and Bill O'Reilley's. What do all these books have in common? AS white, Catholic, eastern, urban, baby boomers, they have some similarilties in their background and do share some of the same thoughts. Matthews' book is easy to read and not very long. If you like Hardball, you'll love this book. If you hate Hardball, forget about it. And if you're somewhere in between give it a read.

Rating:
Summary: Now, Let me Tell You What I Really Think
Review: This book has no cohesive purpose besides stating the author's opinions about politics and America- there is nothing unifying the collected examples besides his emphasis of how he is right. The book emphasizes and re-emphasizes how he is fantastic because he is unafraid and speaks his mind, which is the main idea of American freedom. I would be more up to his interpretations if they were less biased, less conceited, and less hypocritical. He repeatedly addresses the American public as "us," and yet only relates to the conservatives, while stating all of his opinions as if they were America's opinions. But trust me, I do not think that the best American presidents are the men with the "sun in their faces," like "sunburned farmers." And I do not think George Bush is as motivating as the rest of America apparently does, according to Chris Williams.
I would tolerate the fact that this book is badly written if I thought it had anything important to say. But I don't think that. Therefore, the writing style of this book is intolerable- meant to be written "conversationally" but instead sounding as if it wants to appeal to an eleven-year old. On that note, however irrelevant this may be, I noticed three major typos, which are unimportant, but just irritated me even more.
This man wants his opinions to be taken seriously and unify the American people, but how can he, if he is so conservative through and through, and completely pompous about it? He certainly doesn't bring me over to his side- in fact he does the opposite. Now even his picture on the book cover irritates me beyond belief.

Rating:
Summary: Quick read-good results
Review: I initially became interested in Chris Matthews after reading his book Hardball, and by watching his NBC show of the same name. I thoroughly enjoyed Hardball the book, but it did leave me little curious about Matthews himself, before he "came to Washington." This book does that, talking about his early days, his family, and his college and Peace Corps years. It also talks about prominent political figures in his life, from JFK to Barry Goldwater to Ronald Reagan. I would recommend this book to anyone, but mainly to those who read, and enjoyed, Hardball. On it's own it leaves something to be desired.

Rating:
Summary: A Good Read
Review: If your even remotely interested in politics, and need a "good read" for your commute, long flight, vacation with annoying relatives you wish to tune out, then this is a perfect buy.

Insightful, well written, and enjoyable.

Rating:
Summary: Bland and Short
Review: In one comment - I was disappointed with this book. I was looking for some really opinionated, cut to the bone discussions about topics most pundits and politicians stay away from. I wanted something hard and in your face - after all that is what he is know for and the title of the book implies that the reader is in for some good old fashion straight talk. Lets face it that is why you buy the book, for the most part I really do not care too much about what he thinks, I am interested in new opinions and arguments. What the author gave us a lukewarm and close to politically correct set of comments that really did not get me excited.

Overall my opinion would be Blah Blah Blah, nothing new or that earth shaking. It is not all bad, there are some interesting comments here and there and the author did not spend too much time in writing the book so you can get through it in a few hours. It really has no historic value as he really did not dig too deep into any one topic and the entertainment value is not too high either.

Rating:
Summary: Slim volume short on substance
Review: This short, slender book is big on potential but lacks real bite. Matthews, a charming and engaging man, hosts a good show. "Really think", however, is less than two hundred pages (in a tiny book, about 275 words per page) of vignettes about people and their lives followed by Matthews' customary, "Now, let me tell you what I really think."

He uses lines from popular movies, like "Maltese Falcon" and "The Wild Bunch". He remembers where he was when JFK and RFK were shot. He shows that he is a real boomer. He adopts his father's Republican admiration of Eisenhower, becomes enthralled by JFK's Catholicism and magnetic personality, dips his toe in the Goldwater pool (along with Hillary Clinton, he explains), joins the Peace Corps, comes back to Washington and eventually becomes an assistant to liberal congressman (capped off with Tip O'Neill), all before he launches his media career. I'm not sure that this makes him the "journalist" he describes himself to be, more likely he relishes the role of "entertainment", a charge he gladly accepts.

His thoughts on family, on knocking on doors (to get a seat at the table), and Jesuit education are most interesting and saved for last. But I was disappointed. After about two hours of reading, "Really think" ended and came up short.