Rating: 
Summary: An over-wordy look at the underside of politics.
Review: Rollins has gotten plaudits for his "self-honesty." The effect of all this honesty however is to recount the Rollins version.
But in large sections, I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Rollins's Perot days DO take some explaining, and Rollins explains away with gusto -- entertaining gusto.
The book could have used an editorial tightening-up; stuff spoken into a tape recorder usually does fail to make the cut as literature.
If you want to see various Republicans (the Huffingtons, for example) and crypto-Republicans (e.g., Ross Perot) skewered with self-justifying glee, Rollins is you man and this is your book.
For politics junkies (DO YOU WATCH C-SPAN ALMOST EXCLUSIVELY?) and Republicans who want to get red-in-the-face furious.
Rating: 
Summary: Rollins the political clown
Review: The best thing that can be said about Ed Rollins is at least there is only one of him. Is this guy for real? Boy his own account, he has long been stricken with "hoof in mouth" disease, yet he feels no compunction about calling Michael Huffington a walking suit, or his wife Arianna the Greek Rasputin. This is the same Ed Rollins who nearly cost Governor Whitman her victory over Jim Florio in 1993 when he bragged about paying off black leaders and encouraging them not to vote. In short, this guy gives assholes a bad name. The book is interesting, however, for its gossip and inside poop. The stories of betrayal, particularly the ones that dealt with the late Lee Atwater, are legendary. Whether or not the events actually occured the way Rollins' recalls them, they are fascinating nonetheless. Rollins' seemed to take delight in pointing out the weakness and idiosyncracies of others, particuraly people who are respected and admired, such as Jim Baker, Nancy Regan, Lee Atwater and others. He takes a sort of perverse delight in others shortcummings, as though somehow this masks his own. The book is, however, a must read for anyone that is contemplating a political career; the stories, real or unreal, provide good insight into the lives of political operatives. If you want to pursue that path, this book is a must. For the rest of it, the book is nothing more than a glorified version of the tabloid papers, except the main cast of characters include some Huffingtons, Bakers, Reagans and Bushes rather than Michael Jackson and Frank Gifford. Good luck Eddie!!
Rating:
Summary: very interesting and informative, as well as entertaining
Review: This book truly does give an insider's view of politics at the top levels of our government. The author has a no-holds-barred style. After what he says here, he's unlikely to get a top political job again
Rating: 
Summary: Wonderful behind-the-scenes in recent political history
Review: This is a perfect book for those looking to get insights into politics that you won't get from self-serving politician autobiographies or "insider" scoop from newspaper reporters turned authors. Ed Rollins' career spans some of the more formative years and races in recent times. His wit and honesty made this book a wonderful, easy read. I will never look at some politicians the same.
Rating:
Summary: Wonderful behind-the-scenes in recent political history
Review: This is a perfect book for those looking to get insights into politics that you won't get from self-serving politician autobiographies or "insider" scoop from newspaper reporters turned authors. Ed Rollins' career spans some of the more formative years and races in recent times. His wit and honesty made this book a wonderful, easy read. I will never look at some politicians the same.
Rating:
Summary: Great Political Book!
Review: This should be required reading for college level campaigns classes. Rollins details the behind the scenes goings ons of all the major campaigns he has worked on--no holds barred, and no secrets left to tell. I read the entire thing in one weekend, it was a thrilling page turner for any political nuts out there.
Rating:
Summary: Best Campaigns Book Ever Written
Review: This should be required reading for college level campaigns classes. Rollins details the behind the scenes goings ons of all the major campaigns he has worked on--no holds barred, and no secrets left to tell. I read the entire thing in one weekend, it was a thrilling page turner for any political nuts out there.
Rating:
Summary: ROTFLMAO!!!!
Review: Warning: There's quite a bit of foul language in this book.
I've always liked Ed Rollins and his honesty gets him in enough hot water to boil a frog. He tells how it's really done and how he learned the game from California Speaker Jesse Unruh. He tells of his split from the Democrats to Reagan and from the Bush GOP to Perot.
The Perot chapter, appropriately titled the "Campaign From Hell," is the ultimate hilarity. He has kind words for nearly everybody - even his enemies - but he also says some hilarious tidbits so that it's never dull. Among the things Rollins addresses:
A GOP sex scandal in the opening days of the Reagan era
What REALLY happened in the 1993 New Jersey governor's race
How an off the wall comment can get you in hot water
How Ross Perot decided a thirty-day campaign was better than actually running for office
All this and much more. And he correctly calls the 1992 Bush campaign the "worst performance by an incumbent in modern political history." This kind of honesty shows that whatever flavor your party - Democratic, Republican, Independent, or even if you hate politics - Rollins has something for you. A must read.
Historic update: Kerry 2004 now surpasses Bush as the most inept campaign in American history.
Rating:
Summary: I Laughed Until I Cried
Review: Warning: There's quite a bit of foul language in this book.I've always liked Ed Rollins and his honesty gets him in enough hot water to boil a frog. He tells how it's really done and how he learned the game from California Speaker Jesse Unruh. He tells of his split from the Democrats to Reagan and from the Bush GOP to Perot. The Perot chapter, appropriately titled the "Campaign From Hell," is the ultimate hilarity. He has kind words for nearly everybody - even his enemies - but he also says some hilarious tidbits so that it's never dull. Among the things Rollins addresses: A GOP sex scandal in the opening days of the Reagan era What REALLY happened in the 1993 New Jersey governor's race How an off the wall comment can get you in hot water How Ross Perot decided a thirty-day campaign was better than actually running for office All this and much more. And he correctly calls the 1992 Bush campaign the "worst performance by an incumbent in modern political history." This kind of honesty shows that whatever flavor your party - Democratic, Republican, Independent, or even if you hate politics - Rollins has something for you. A must read.
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