Courtesy of The Agony Column:
Dunn's book is pretty simply constructed. We get the life of Sarah Palin, as told by those who know and knew her, in roughly chronological order. It stands in pretty stark contrast to the official version, however, and here's where Dunn shows his ability to write more than news. While carefully documenting everything he writes about Palin, he also manages to give readers a story, to put things in context. Through fine prose, a remarkable job of excavating witnesses and friends from across the years, and the ability to craft character from fact, Dunn tells us the story of Sarah Palin.
This story is not without controversy, and what Dunn presents contradicts much of the publicity associated with Sarah Palin's carefully constructed image. In a sense, this is also a book about the state of news coverage in American media, where competence and coherence compete for our attention with sheer chutzpah, while we select facts to bolster our own opinions from a buffet of boutique made-for-me outlets. Dunn's story is powerful and convincing, no matter what your political inclinations may be. Of course, you'd have to read it, and by virtue of the title alone, many will understandably be disinclined to do so. They'll certainly miss a compelling story of American politics.
Now that the hubbub over Frank Bailey's book has died down, people are really starting to take a much longer, and more significant look at Geoffrey's book.
I know that people have been comparing the two books, and proclaiming which one they like the best, but in my opinion BOTH books have something important to offer.
In Bailey's book you get the behind the scenes 411 on what was happening in real time during Palin's campaign, her scandalous behavior while she was Governor, and her frame of mind after she returned from the McCain/Palin campaign trail.
In Dunn's book you get just about everything else.
Of course there is STILL much left untold, which leaves plenty of interesting details, and scandalous facts, for Joe McGinniss to reveal in his book.
The important thing to note as you read these three books is that they ALL describe Sarah Palin as the duplicitous, manipulative, and deeply troubled woman we all know her to be.
Which of course is in stark contrast to the person described in "Going Rogue", the propaganda laden "The Undefeated," and even Palin's stupid reality show.
By the way, speaking of the REAL Sarah Palin, you would be well served to take a moment and read what Andrew Halcro had to say about Snowdrift Snooki in his Anchorage Press article entitled "We Can't Make These Things Up." He is ALSO describing a woman, very similar to the one in Baily and Dunn's books.
I just got my book . I am thoroughly enjoying the Geofferey Dunn style .
ReplyDeleteI must say ,it's extremely hard to put down . Although , I am not surprised by any of the behaviors of Ms palin especially in her school years . I am about halfway through . Well worth the cost of the book and very well written by an author with intergrity .
I've liked that "effete chap" as Grifter Granny called Halcro in her so-called book when he mocked her in those youtubes. Keep at it, Mr. H. I'll bet AK rues voting for her. I certainly do since it led to her elevation and created a scourge for all the rest of us.
ReplyDeleteDunn: Amazon Bestsellers Rank: #14,263 in Books
ReplyDeleteBailey: Amazon Bestsellers Rank: #6,440 in Books
Bristol: Amazon Bestsellers Rank: #560 in Books
Halcro's article was the best I have ever read about Mrs. Todd Palin.
ReplyDeleteI have bought both Dunn and Bailey's books. I learned a lot from Dunn's...not so much from Bailey's. I felt he purposely omitted or ignored too many things. I think he knows the truth about the fake pregnancy and birth, but chose to not tell it. I have zero respect for him and regret giving him one cent of my money.
I sure hope McGinnis does a more honest job.
I bought Dunn's book but am only on page 14 because I have eye problems and can't afford health insurance to see well enough without a magnifying glass and really bright light. So I can only read a little at a time. So far, so good...great reading! Thank you Mr. Dunn. I also got Blind Allegiance...that will have to wait. I sure wish these books would come out on tape, cd or mp3 so I could listen to them!
ReplyDeleteSure would have been nice if Stewart or Colbert could have had him on to promote his book?
ReplyDeleteI hope people do not ignore the crazy that is Michelle Bachmann. With her second-place finish in the latest GOP polls, she is as dangerous (and perhaps more so) than Sarah.
ReplyDeleteNow that Sarah's career is heading for the dumpster, perhaps we need to cast a baleful and critical eye at Bachmann before she gains too much momentum.
I do not underestimate either woman's appeal to the slow and low-information voter, evangelicals, and horny old men.
Both books are crucial to our understanding of Sarah Palin, and the more reputable authors who publish the truth about her the better.
ReplyDeleteNow, if only someone would research and expose Bachmann!
OT - Gryphen,
ReplyDeleteHave you seen this article in the Alaska Dispatch?
http://www.alaskadispatch.com/article/johnston-says-palin-s-loss-virginity-claim-not-true
The majority of us in AK know what a sham and horror show the Tundra Turd is. The problem is that the MSM (LSM) has given her a pass on just about everything. They seem to be mesmerized by her lies.
ReplyDeleteTime for the MSM to review all of the books, fairly.
Sorry O/T
ReplyDeleteLevi has responded...
http://www.alaskadispatch.com/article/johnston-says-palin-s-loss-virginity-claim-not-true
@5:41 - Bristol's book is just released this week and it's only at #560? WOW. That is pitiful. I had a book that rose to #16 on Amazon for a couple of weeks (years ago). I know how much $ I made, & I didn't have to split any royalties with a ghostwriter. Bristol must be making zzzzzzilch.
ReplyDelete5:41
ReplyDeleteYou must be getting desperate Sara, we know your PAC is buying like mad and we also know a lot of the "pre-ordered" books for the Brisket's book were done with the intention of inflating sales and they will be cancelled tomorrow before the charges hit their credit cards. You keep treating book sales and ratings like a popularity contest. You can fool your bots and get them to spend their money just like you and your bots stuffed the DWTS voting to keep the clumsy daughter alive long enough so she could recreate her first time with Levi on the dance floor. Actually it might be good for a lot of people to read what a shallow, amoral, vindictive child you raised, reflects well on your lack of mothering skills. Where's Trig again? Whose child is he? Can we see the BC? Can we see your certified College Diploma? Have a good night, you must not be sleeping very well lately. Quit much?
Hey, Lou Sarah at 5:41:
ReplyDeleteGranny Grifter's cult members have been throwing money at her and bulk buying her and her family's crap since she quit her real job two years ago. Barstool's fairy tale memoir will be in the dollar discount bin soon enough.
6:21
ReplyDeleteInteresting read. Two things
1. the use of terms "unaware" that she used were in league with the terminology that defines rape
2. they imply that witnesses might be queried regarding this because if Brisket is right Levi might get charged with rape.
Yet, it's his attorney who is featured in the story. Did Brisket overplay her hand? Could the witnesses back up Levi's side of the story and paint Brisket as a liar in a very BIG way?
I suspect this is long from over. And good for Levi to not try to address this on his own. Methinks Brisket will be hearing about this a lot more
Re the AD article...
ReplyDeleteTHAT is Levi's denial??? That IF true it would be damaging but it's not true, sooo...*shrug*
I hate Rex. Rex, you are a dolt. Where is Levi behind a podium saying "maybe our first time wasn't the stuff of romance novels but we loved each other and it was special. I would NEVER have taken advantage of Bristol. I am shocked she would make up something so horrible simply to sell books. I shudder to think of our son's reaction when he realizes the depth of deception and vindictiveness his mother showed in a futile attempt to rewrite history. As sad as I am, I will not stoop to Bristol's level, in accordance with the judge's mandate in our custody case...which *I* have always observed".
Where the eff is THAT, REX???
P.S.
ReplyDeleteRex, feel FREE to jack that statement. Please.
6;21 - that's the lamest-ass defense I've ever heard. But what do we expect coming from the lamest-ass attorney. Obiously it's NOT "obviously not true" (pardon the double negative). Or the Palinbots wouldn't be eating up that shit with a spoon. Also, he says "if there are witnesses who can support the story as her book indicates" - what about witnesses who can refute it? Didn't Gryphen mention there was another couple in the tent at the time? That's the first peep I've heard that witnesses might be talking, and it doesn't sound like they're backing Bristol up.
ReplyDeleteDid you read that bullshit on "The Secret Diary of Sarah Palin"? Gryphen, what the fuck is that blog doing on your "Sarah Palin's least favorite blogs" roll? I'll just say that the fact that the word "rape" isn't in quotes is intentional.
Please forgive my tone. That lawyer just pisses me off.
If this happens, it will be horrific!
ReplyDelete...On the other, if her story is documentable -- if there are witnesses who can support the story as her book indicates --
**Johnston could find himself the subject of a rape investigation.**
Alaska Gov. Sean Parnell, Palin's successor, has been a staunch advocate of a state crackdown on men who take advantage of women who are incapacitated. He this year advocated, according to the governor's website, that sentences for sex offenses be increased when there were "'aggravating factors,” including the defendant's knowledge that the victim had consumed drugs or alcohol, or a previous dating relationship with the victim.
http://www.alaskadispatch.com/
article/johnston-says-palin-s
-loss-virginity-claim-not-true
Alaska Veteran Denounces MSM As The Sarah Palin Fan Club
ReplyDeleteNow, in a previously unpublished letter, Kim Chatman urges Americans to what the mainstream media won’t; hold Sarah Palin accountable.
An open letter to the MSM aka Lamestream media from an Alaskan Woman,
Veteran, Real American and Mother of several children.
I am letting you know that I am tired of Sarah Palin. The MSM and local
Alaskan news agencies have dropped the ball on reporting the truth about
her. Bloggers and private citizens of Alaska have been working diligently
to reveal the real Sarah Palin, but for some reason she continues to get a
free pass from all of you. She has been allowed to call you the Lamestream
Media and instead of you ignoring her, you follow her around stroking her
ego, and make her think that she could be a viable candidate for the
Presidency, when in fact she is not. Instead of following her around and
asking her if she is going to run, one of you needs to stand up and tell her
she is not qualified.
The truth is that John McCain acted very irresponsibly (in an act of
desperation) by selecting Sarah Palin as his running mate without properly
vetting her. Now she is a millionaire being coddled by Ghostwriters, Fox
News, and rich white men. All of which are allowing her to hide behind
them. She is never held accountable and in her own mind it’s always
everyone else’s fault and never hers. Sarah Palin and her supporters will go
after anyone who does have the nerve to stand up to her. If it weren’t for
John McCain, Religion, Abortion and Guns, Sarah Palin would have no presence
on the national stage whatsoever. She would not be a millionaire, and her
children would not be overexposed. Not one of you has ever called her out,
how do you know that she is what she says, her followers only care about
what she says not her actions. Her Christian values are very questionable,
she talks the talk but does not walk the walk. But yet still she gets the
free pass.
As an Alaskan I have done my part, I will continue to hold her accountable
because of her actions. With the assistance of Andree McLeod I filed the
Alaska Fund Trust ethics complaint, which was found to be in violation of
forming and had to give the money back to the donors. Not one news agency
followed up with the results of the complaint, and we have never heard
whether they paid back the money of not. The MSM does not follow through on
stories about Sarah Palin, once the story is released that’s it, whatever
happened to investigative reporting? To this day Sarah Palin still says
that she has been found not guilty regarding the ethics complaints, that
they are frivolous and that the ethics complaints are a conspiracy by the
Democrats. None of which is true. Not one news agency followed up, once
again Sarah Palin got her free pass.
http://www.politicususa.com/
en/msm-sarah-palin-fan-club
Recently there have been books written about Sarah Palin and they all have a
ReplyDeletecommon theme – Sarah Palin is a compulsive liar, a vindictive mean girl,
she never claims responsibility for her actions, and she can’t manage her
own household much less a Town, State or Nation. For some reason there
hasn’t been much reporting on the book by Geoffrey Dunn. But “Going Rogue”
was all over the place in the media, you followed her around at book
signings, once again she got her free pass and made a lot of money. I have
read all the books that have been written regarding her and I can tell you
Geoffrey Dunn’s book is well written, he did his homework, everyone that
thinks that she should run for President should read Mr. Dunn’s book.
I live in Europe now, and it’s quite embarrassing that the majority of the
people in Europe think that she’s a joke, but Americans support her based on
the sometimes incoherent “word salad” that comes out of her mouth. So, as
an Alaskan Woman, Veteran, Real American, and Mother of several children, I
am asking you to take away Sarah Palin’s free pass, hold her accountable
just as she holds you accountable. Quit letting her make a joke of you,
let’s take politics back, because if Sarah Palin ever gets anywhere near the
Presidency of the United States it would be disastrous.
http://www.politicususa.com/en/msm-sarah-palin-fan-club
Anon 5:41
ReplyDeleteReally? If Bristol's book is only #560 at Amazon on the week of its release, that is pretty pitiful.
I just checked, not a whole lot of love for Sarah's, eerrr Bristol's little tome. Two stars. Bailey and Dunn's books have been out for weeks and I believe Bailey reached number 1 at some point. Don't think that will be happening for Bristol--unless mama griz's SarahPac or Rupert buys a buttload of them to hand out to bots as a giveaway.
Gotta move the ghostwritten tripe.
http://www.alaskadispatch.com/article/johnston-says-palin-s-loss-virginity-claim-not-true
ReplyDelete***********
Levi needs a new lawyer. Butler is an idiot. Why would he say that Levi has no legal recourse when Bristol has just libeled him? There's been no evidence presented that this story is true - and no witnesses. Wouldn't *she* have to *prove* it to be true, rather than Levi having to prove it was false?
I can't put the darn thing down.......much better book than Bailey's by a long shot. I just get more and more angry about how this women has conducted herself, but VERY pleased that this information is out there and more people see the light. BTW, I just love how quickly scara responds to the apparent MISinformation about her bus tour and is quick to tweet the record straight, but not a PEEP on things like toad and Shailey, Bailey's and Dunn's book, Trig, etc., etc., etc., Yeah, scara, you are soooo obvious it is painful and hysterically funny all at the same time. Take some of that money of yours, honey, and buy a clue.
ReplyDeleteBawwaaahhhh!!! Keep on talking Brisket, it makes you dound like one of your daddy's prostitutes! BTW Are you ever going to explauin why baby number twio ios named after hailey Tripp?
ReplyDeleteDunn's book is great, Bailey's is just ass kissing Sarah.
ReplyDeleteLoved Dunn's book, Bailey's book, and "Game Change". More. I need more. Can't wait for McGinniss' book to come out. Heck, I'll even give Levi's a go.
ReplyDeleteOff Topic
ReplyDeleteJust saw the news of the earthquake near Anchorage and possible Tsunami. Hope all my Alaska bloggers, especially Gryphen, stay safe.
Dunne's book is absolutely a must read! I agree that both are good in different ways, but Bailey holds a torch to this day for his old boss (my opinion) and isn't at the point where he can adequately explain some of the omissions.
ReplyDeleteDunne's book takes you in, his research is documented, and his writing style is a delight. He shows the dark side of Mrs Palin's personality, exposes the lies and peels them down to the core while showing how, with each lie, she gains more leverage and power while bilking the Government of Alaska, harming the people she swore to serve and goes to any level to take down any percieved enemies. I'm on my second read and still amazed, there's more to what we thought we knew about this woman.
My only question is, why isn't this book getting promoted more aggressively? It deserves so much more attention.
"Dunn's story is powerful and convincing, no matter what your political inclinations may be."
ReplyDeleteDunn got EVERYTHING about her correct, and he wrote it exceptionally well. He revealed exactly who she was/is, what she stands for (nothing) and the multitude (and magnitude)of lies she has foisted on the country. He deserves all the gratitude and praise we can heap on him!
Halcro's article on Palin is possibly the most concise truly damning summation on her mendacity, incompetency, and obdurate stupidity that I have read yet. My only point with which to quibble is that Halcro makes a very common mistake regarding Palin's possible bid for the White House. He assumes that she'll run as a Republican.
ReplyDeletePalin is terrified of running as a Republican. Why? Because she knows that if she goes the major party route, she will be unable to go "all mavericky" and skip debates, straw polls, and even the primaries. In short, she would have to do what she knows she cannot do: actually appear to be a candidate that reasonable people would vote for.
She is stupid, to be sure, but she knows that she can't win any debate, ever. The best she can hope for is that she doesn't puke onstage or curl up in a fetal position, suck on her thumb, and cry "Mommy!" Likewise, she would NEVER willingly make herself available to the press again, and if she ran in the GOP, she'd pretty much have to.
She will be a third party candidate. She will be the Teabagger, Neo-Know-Nothing, Fundagelicals Love Jesus, or Thicker Than Shit Party nominee. By going that route she can essentially avoid ALL of the stuff that scares her.
As for the other GOP candidates, they NEED to fear Palin a great deal if she indeed runs as a third party candidate. For if she does, she will siphon off teabagger and fundie cash and votes all the way right up until the election. If she were in the GOP, she'd be out LONG before that.
I maintain that she is going to run, but as an independent or as the figure head of some shithole party.
I highly recommend Halcro's article. It is well worth the read.
I love how both books dovetail - I read the outside results of what was happening inside the campaign/administration and then got to read why the incidents unfolded as they did. But in my opinion Bailey was just as concerned with acquitting himself as he was with telling the facts.
ReplyDeleteAnonymous said...
ReplyDeleteDunn: Amazon Bestsellers Rank: #14,263 in Books
Bailey: Amazon Bestsellers Rank: #6,440 in Books
Bristol: Amazon Bestsellers Rank: #560 in Books
5:41 PM
Show link for data please
Am reading it too. Excellent book. Like reading the New Yorker.
ReplyDelete