Rating: 
Summary: Great Political Book!
Review: A terrific companion to this is Jack Germond's chronicle of the classic 1980 presidential campaign (Teddy Kennedy vs. Carter vs. Reagan), "Blue Smoke and Mirrors."Too bad this book's 96 release was too soon to receive much boost from the internet. Would have liked to read of author Rollin's take on the Monica/Clinton sex scandal. Rollins is observant enough to mention qualities of public figures that are seldom mentioned (such as Barbara Bush's mean-spiritedness). I found it interesting that despite his immense talent for political strategy, and the wealth and power this talent gave him, Rollins had a failed marriage to a single mother with 2 kids. Professional success did not lead to personal success until later in life for him. I hope Mr. Rollins will pop up on political shows more often.
Rating: 
Summary: Great political gossip
Review: As a die-hard liberal Democrat, I didn't want to like this four-cassette opus. But Ed Rollins, Republican strategist extraordinaire, really knows how to dish the dirt. I howled over his story about how, as a young GOP "rising star," Rollins went to meet Richard Nixon for the first time. Nixon greeted Rollins, then promptly sauntered into the bathroom to relieve himself - but was "considerate" enough to leave the door open so he and Rollins could carry on their conversation uninterrupted. From Tricky Dick to the personal fiefdom of Nancy Reagan over her husband's administration to the penny-wisdom and pound-foolishness of Ross Perot, this audiotape will keep your headphones on till the end of Side 8
Rating:
Summary: A very honest look at politics
Review: As one who works in the political arena, Ed Rollins book is look into the mechanism of the national game. It is a complex business run by complex characters (like Mr. Rollins). This book will either chase you away from politics or lure you into the facinating field. Although Rollins life in politics is the exception, the book is an honest thesis of his life and the choices he made while working in a fishbowl. If you have any love of politics I recommend reading Mr. Rollins book, but remember his life is not the rule in this game of getting people elected.
Rating:
Summary: Hilarious and Insightful
Review: Bare Knuckles and Back Rooms is political consultant Ed Rollins' journey as a political strategist in American politics. First of all you have to read this book just to receive the insight on Ross Perot and his insanity. I read this book awhile ago when I was in High School and laughed for hours about Perot. Also I love just hearing about the day to day operations of a political campaigns. If you are interested in politics or political campaigns this book is a must read and has to be in your library.
Rollins covers working with President Ronald Reagan, Ross Perot, Christie Todd Whitman, Michael Huffington (another great wild chapter) and George Nethercutt. Read this book if you want to hear a great story about Frank Sinatra from the Reagan campaign. It is a great window into the workings and thought of the Reagan administration as well. Another great political consultant read was "Bad Boy" about the late Lee Atwater, this one might even be better. If you are a Democrat or Republican this will be a great laugh and amazing insight. You will not be able to put this book down, and once you finish you will go through serious withdrawls which may include chills, shakes, or foaming at the mouth.
Rating:
Summary: If Love Politics or Hate Perot Read this Book
Review: Ed Rollins has written a page turner and insiders view of politics over the last 20 years. His accounts of the campaigns of Reagan '84, Christine Whitman '94, Perot '92, and Michael Huffington's disasterous Senate race show you how this business really works. Almost a political consultants training manual. The best part of the book is about Perot's '92 campaign and Ed should write another book on this guy. The current Reform Party circus could have been predicted during Perot's 92 effort. Essentially Perot is a control freak, an eccentric, shoot-the-messenger, populist crackpot and thank god all he did to the country was cause Bush to lose. Take this to the beach or on a plane and chuckle all the way.
Rating:
Summary: The Bare Facts
Review: I am a self confessed Democrat and even I loved this book. The author is as about as right leaning as they come, but that did nothing to diminish the enjoyment any political junkie would get from the book regardless of what side of the spectrum you are on. The author has been involved in Republican politics sense the Nixon administration and in this book he givens a well written, interesting and humorous account of what he has been a part of. I would not call this book a kiss and tell, but he does give you the facts in a straight up manner, regardless if it makes his clients or himself look bad. I found the time he spent on the Reagan and Perot campaigns the most interesting. The Reagan campaign because he really lays out the best way to run a campaign. This section of the book could almost be used as a how to tutorial on how to win a race. I found the Perot campaign info interesting for the exact opposite of the Reagan section. This guy was a flake and the author captures every odd, weird and down right stupid thing that happened. The author also talks about his relationship with the first President Bush and lets just say it is very eye opening. Everything he says about the father can be seen in the son today. His main point is that the Bush family feels loyalty is the most important trait a person can have and if you cross that line you will be paying for it for years. I enjoyed the fact that the author did not spend exorbitant amounts of time on his pre political history or his family situation, just enough to set the stage. I may be unique in this regard so if you are looking for an in depth view into his family this is not the book for you. Overall I really liked the book. It read fast and it is so interesting I just did not want to put it down. I read a lot of political books and this ranks up there as at least one of the more entertaining. If you are interested in the campaign process or the Reagan and Bush years then I would recommend this book regardless of your party affiliation.
Rating:
Summary: The Bare Facts
Review: I am a self confessed Democrat and even I loved this book. The author is as about as right leaning as they come, but that did nothing to diminish the enjoyment any political junkie would get from the book regardless of what side of the spectrum you are on. The author has been involved in Republican politics sense the Nixon administration and in this book he givens a well written, interesting and humorous account of what he has been a part of. I would not call this book a kiss and tell, but he does give you the facts in a straight up manner, regardless if it makes his clients or himself look bad. I found the time he spent on the Reagan and Perot campaigns the most interesting. The Reagan campaign because he really lays out the best way to run a campaign. This section of the book could almost be used as a how to tutorial on how to win a race. I found the Perot campaign info interesting for the exact opposite of the Reagan section. This guy was a flake and the author captures every odd, weird and down right stupid thing that happened. The author also talks about his relationship with the first President Bush and lets just say it is very eye opening. Everything he says about the father can be seen in the son today. His main point is that the Bush family feels loyalty is the most important trait a person can have and if you cross that line you will be paying for it for years. I enjoyed the fact that the author did not spend exorbitant amounts of time on his pre political history or his family situation, just enough to set the stage. I may be unique in this regard so if you are looking for an in depth view into his family this is not the book for you. Overall I really liked the book. It read fast and it is so interesting I just did not want to put it down. I read a lot of political books and this ranks up there as at least one of the more entertaining. If you are interested in the campaign process or the Reagan and Bush years then I would recommend this book regardless of your party affiliation.
Rating:
Summary: Funny and Insightful
Review: I would love to hear Ed Rollins opinions concerning the present President Bush. His book descibes the problems with the first Prsident Bush adminastration (such as putting a higher price on staff and administrators with blind loyalty to those who knew what they were doing)
Rollins book was very funny and a nice peek at the inside of political campaigns. He was very honest in the way he dealt his stories of former Presidents Nixon and Reagan. he did not try to gloss over the failings of either presidency or try to sugar coat anything. He explained his admiration of both Reagan and Nixon, and making a reasonable explaination for liking Richard Nixon can't be easy in a time when even the Republican party tries to forget him. But Ed Rollins does so in a manner which make sit possible to see that there was another side to the man.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent Political History
Review: If you love political history or if you want to see the inner workings of the US government, this book is for you.
I read this book in two nights. I love material that was covered: Ed Rollins early years, his years on Reagan's staff, his time with Kemp, his campaign with Perot (I never realized Perot was that kooky of a man, the Christine Todd-Whitman camapaign.
The book is excellent. Rollins holds nothing back. This is one of the top 10 books I have ever read. I was glued.
This book is more of a history, than a how too. But even if you are looking for a how too, you will still love this book.
This book is worth more than 19 bucks.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent Political History
Review: If you love political history or if you want to see the inner workings of the US government, this book is for you.
I read this book in two nights. I love material that was covered: Ed Rollins early years, his years on Reagan's staff, his time with Kemp, his campaign with Perot (I never realized Perot was that kooky of a man, the Christine Todd-Whitman camapaign.
The book is excellent. Rollins holds nothing back. This is one of the top 10 books I have ever read. I was glued.
This book is more of a history, than a how too. But even if you are looking for a how too, you will still love this book.
This book is worth more than 19 bucks.
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