The Good Fight: Hard Lessons from Searchlight to Washington

By Harry Reid and Mark Warren

Book Overview

After a childhood of shocking poverty, Harry Reid completed law school, working as a policeman to pay his way. He faced death threats as the head of the Nevada Gaming Commission trying to clean up Las Vegas. Eventually he rose to become Senate Majority Leader in Washington-without ever forgetting the mining town he came from, or the battles he fought along the way. This is that rare book by a politician that is more than a glorified press release. It is an extraordinary American story-told in a voice that is flinty, real, and filled with passion.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 042522757X
• ISBN13: 9780425227572
• Release Date: May 2009
• Publisher: Berkley Books
• Length: 336 Pages
• Weight: 0.80 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 5.9" x 9.0"
• Age Range: 18 years and up
• Grade Range: Postsecondary and higher

Customer Reviews

Fascinating Stories and penetrating insight of Washington

With the exception of 1 or 2 chapters early on, the book was a page turner. I couldn't put it down. The book is a worthwhile read whatever your political persuasion. Jerry

What Americans used to be like...

I read this book yesterday. This is what, as a child in Canada, i grew up thinking Americans were like. This man is profoundly strong of character and as tough an individualist as you are ever going to find in this life. The word 'inregrity' just doesn't even approach it. The mild manner you see, the soft voice, covers titanium... I am betting that my individual experience would reflect the world's ... this is what the world used to think Americans were like. An awesome book about an extraordinary human being.

So intersting -- Gives real insight to the man Reid is

This book is such a good read. I loved it! It gives you a real portrait of the type of person Senator Reid is. The life stories he includes in this book are the kind of stories only those who read the book will have the privilege of knowing. Highly recommended!

Read this book!

I would venture to say that most of the other reviewers of this book (so far) haven't bothered to read it, but are instead just teeing off on Harry Reid because they don't like his politics. I know, reading can be hard, but do yourself a favor and ignore those other reviews. Read this book. Like Harry Reid, don't like Harry Reid, whatever. Read this book. It's kind of an unbelievable American story, shockingly candid, and well told. The odds of anyone emerging from Searchlight, Nevada, when Reid came up there, and to then go on to do anything of note, are infinitesimal. But the man we only know as the soft-spoken, kind of opaque leader of the senate, has actually lived an astonishing life. To be where he is, an impossible life. Raised in a broken-down town with 13 whorehouses and no churches, taught honesty by a "whoremonger" because his parents were too drunk to bother, hitchhikes across the desert to high school, fist fights with his future father-in-law, defends a murderer in a case right out of In Cold Blood, take on the mob in Vegas (blacklists Lefty Rosenthal!) and gets a bomb planted in his car for his troubles, and now faces his biggest problem - Bush. Unlike many books by politicians, which are full of falsity and pomposity, The Good Fight doesn't is told plainly and doesn't prettify anything, isn't pompous, and doesn't read like a collection of tired speeches. This is a surprising book, and a good story. Highly recommended.

The Review should be of the book, not the man...

In response to the previous review, it is unfair to rate the book based on one's personal feeling about Reid. I have just begun reading the book and am moved by the very personal look at Reid and what has compelled him in this life. Reid does not present himself as perfect, but reveals the man he is - which is a man of honor, ethics, dedication, and love of country. He has spoken out against George Bush's policies in a way that other members of Congress have failed to do. The passages that reveal insiders moments with George Bush offer personal snapshots of a President who is most probably the worst President so far that we've ever known. Reid shines a light on why that is true as he describes Bush's utter lack of interest during briefings and meetings - his inability to ask questions, a lack of curiousity that speaks of a lack of depth, of intelligence, of critical thinking skills, of leadership. It is frightening, nothing new, but frightening to have this nuanced understanding of what has been happening in the Bush White House. Reid is eloquent and passionate and this book offers an inside look at the man and his politics. I recommend it to others who are feeling discouraged by the political system and its machinations - especially this election season - and who need a shot in the arm to energize them and help them roll their sleeves up and get back to work. Our country needs us!