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Kenneth Lund's Reviews > Romney: A Reckoning
Romney: A Reckoning
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Kenneth Lund's review
bookshelves: 21st-century-america, church-of-jesus-christ-of-latter-da, american-presidents, latter-day-saint-leaders, leadership
Oct 26, 2023
bookshelves: 21st-century-america, church-of-jesus-christ-of-latter-da, american-presidents, latter-day-saint-leaders, leadership
My only complaint is that I wish it were 500 pages longer. It’s too abbreviated. While it’s certainly not on par with Chernow’s writing, it is a great listen or read (I listened on Audible). Romney’s private thoughts on other political figures are interesting.
It is candid about Romney’s flaws, though the flaws are viewed in the light most favorable to Romney. But nobody is a bigger critic of Romney than Romney.
One of the most salient quotes in the book is from Tennyson: “This madness has come on us for our sins.” Romney feels how I feel. The GOP is reaping the whirlwind for knowingly and willfully supporting an “uncommonly stupid man” with a “poverty of character.”
The book plays out like Bolt’s Man for all Seasons, with Romney as More and senate Republicans as the sycophants who follow Trump because, as Shaw’s King Henry says in the Man for All Seasons’s film, “there’s a mass that follows me because it follows anything that moves.”
Romney’s greatest ire is reserved for men like Cruz and Hawley, who he recognized as brilliant, but willing to sell their souls for Trump and for power. “They know better.” And the absence of character in men like Harry Reid is also laid bare.
Those who still entertain the idea of Trump as a serious political candidate should read the book.
In a better Republic, Romney as he evolved would have had more of a voice. He is intelligent, practical, and character driven. A flawed politician, but a conscientious, pragmatic, and skilled executive. The book dwells on the question of his “flip-flopping.” He acknowledges changing positions for political calculation earlier in his career, of the same sort he castigates senators later in the book. And he openly wonders if a younger version of himself would have sold out to Trump. But his changes also reflect his willingness to listen and be persuaded, and I think our federal government could benefit from more legislators who want to listen more. Romney as a senator represents a more secure, confident and grounded political figure. One of the highlights of the book is his brave lone GOP vote on Trump’s first impeachment.
The book suggests we do a massive disservice to our country by continuing to willfully support too many people devoid of intelligence and character on both sides of the aisle.
This madness has come on us, Democrat and Republican, for our sins.
It is candid about Romney’s flaws, though the flaws are viewed in the light most favorable to Romney. But nobody is a bigger critic of Romney than Romney.
One of the most salient quotes in the book is from Tennyson: “This madness has come on us for our sins.” Romney feels how I feel. The GOP is reaping the whirlwind for knowingly and willfully supporting an “uncommonly stupid man” with a “poverty of character.”
The book plays out like Bolt’s Man for all Seasons, with Romney as More and senate Republicans as the sycophants who follow Trump because, as Shaw’s King Henry says in the Man for All Seasons’s film, “there’s a mass that follows me because it follows anything that moves.”
Romney’s greatest ire is reserved for men like Cruz and Hawley, who he recognized as brilliant, but willing to sell their souls for Trump and for power. “They know better.” And the absence of character in men like Harry Reid is also laid bare.
Those who still entertain the idea of Trump as a serious political candidate should read the book.
In a better Republic, Romney as he evolved would have had more of a voice. He is intelligent, practical, and character driven. A flawed politician, but a conscientious, pragmatic, and skilled executive. The book dwells on the question of his “flip-flopping.” He acknowledges changing positions for political calculation earlier in his career, of the same sort he castigates senators later in the book. And he openly wonders if a younger version of himself would have sold out to Trump. But his changes also reflect his willingness to listen and be persuaded, and I think our federal government could benefit from more legislators who want to listen more. Romney as a senator represents a more secure, confident and grounded political figure. One of the highlights of the book is his brave lone GOP vote on Trump’s first impeachment.
The book suggests we do a massive disservice to our country by continuing to willfully support too many people devoid of intelligence and character on both sides of the aisle.
This madness has come on us, Democrat and Republican, for our sins.
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Reading Progress
October 24, 2023
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Started Reading
October 26, 2023
– Shelved
October 26, 2023
–
50.0%
October 26, 2023
–
Finished Reading
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Rich
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Jan 25, 2024 08:14PM
Kenneth, well-said! I love your comment: "Nobody is a bigger critic of Romney than Romney." He's a complicated man, and his character developed line upon line. But I love where he ended up and I'll miss his backbone in the Senate!
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