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Broken But Unbowed: The Fight to Fix a Broken America
Texas governor and rising star in the Republican Party—one of the first prominent politicians to govern from a wheelchair since Franklin D. Roosevelt—Governor Greg Abbott pens his deeply personal and inspiring life story and proposes a plan to restore America to greatness in what Newt Gingrich calls a “bold and compelling” read.
Texas Governor Greg Abbott lost his ability to walk when a huge oak tree crashed down on his back, fracturing vertebrae into his spinal cord, leaving him forever paralyzed. At twenty-six years old, he felt that the future he had dreamed of was gone.
But he soon realized that our lives are not defined by our challenges, but by how we respond to them. He went on to overcome his paralytic limitations to become the longest-serving attorney general in Texas history and now governor, all while in a wheelchair.
Greg Abbott waged a record number of legal challenges against the federal government that has come unhinged from the Constitution. He also led legal battles to defend the Second Amendment, the Tenth Amendment, and religious liberty. He personally appeared before the U.S. Supreme Court to defend the Ten Commandments monument on the Texas Capitol Grounds—and won.
Through these fights he realized that his personal story held an important parallel to America’s current challenges. The Constitution that forms the foundation of our country has been broken, but the people of this nation remain determined to achieve American greatness. Abbott explains that it is up to us to restore America to its rightful luster and power in the world, emerging triumphant from our stumbles.
In Broken but Unbowed , Governor Abbott describes firsthand what it was like to be on the battlefield in the historic fights that have refined the Constitution and the lessons he’s learned along the way, offering solutions that will bring us back a government that lives up to the American Dream.
Texas Governor Greg Abbott lost his ability to walk when a huge oak tree crashed down on his back, fracturing vertebrae into his spinal cord, leaving him forever paralyzed. At twenty-six years old, he felt that the future he had dreamed of was gone.
But he soon realized that our lives are not defined by our challenges, but by how we respond to them. He went on to overcome his paralytic limitations to become the longest-serving attorney general in Texas history and now governor, all while in a wheelchair.
Greg Abbott waged a record number of legal challenges against the federal government that has come unhinged from the Constitution. He also led legal battles to defend the Second Amendment, the Tenth Amendment, and religious liberty. He personally appeared before the U.S. Supreme Court to defend the Ten Commandments monument on the Texas Capitol Grounds—and won.
Through these fights he realized that his personal story held an important parallel to America’s current challenges. The Constitution that forms the foundation of our country has been broken, but the people of this nation remain determined to achieve American greatness. Abbott explains that it is up to us to restore America to its rightful luster and power in the world, emerging triumphant from our stumbles.
In Broken but Unbowed , Governor Abbott describes firsthand what it was like to be on the battlefield in the historic fights that have refined the Constitution and the lessons he’s learned along the way, offering solutions that will bring us back a government that lives up to the American Dream.
288 pages, Hardcover
Published May 17, 2016
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77 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
June 1, 2016
From the way he skirts around the issues or only drops in an occasional brief mention of them, it's almost as if Abbott is aware that he utterly fails to apply his own Constitutionalist principles to issues like religion in the public sphere or abortion.
This abject hypocrisy aside, his ideas about the Constitution and the states' ability to amend it are all pretty sound, and most of the proposals in here make sense or are at least intriguing.
The book was a little repetitive, but I guess that makes sense for a manifesto like this.
This abject hypocrisy aside, his ideas about the Constitution and the states' ability to amend it are all pretty sound, and most of the proposals in here make sense or are at least intriguing.
The book was a little repetitive, but I guess that makes sense for a manifesto like this.
January 1, 2024
Texas Governor Greg Abbott writes about how he became paralyzed, and how an Article V Convention of States can address the corruption in Washington DC.
May 29, 2025
This book was so repetitive and loved to use phrases like James Madison would be rolling in his grave way too much. He made some good points about some overreaching of the Commerce Clause. He also rallied against Executive Orders and I'd like to see if he is as passionate with that argument with all of the recent ones...
May 28, 2016
This is a short and clearly heartfelt book. The first half is a sometimes touching, sometimes humorous account of his life from the freak accident that paralyzed him to winning the governorship of Texas. This part of the book is less about him than it is about his family, his friends, and his colleagues, who provided him the help and inspiration he needed to move forward.
The second half is a heartfelt appeal for the slate of constitutional amendments he’s proposed, Restoring the Rule of Law, with States Leading the Way. Whether you agree with them or not, it’s going to be hard to argue that he doesn’t have a deep respect for the constitution and what it stands for after reading these chapters.
He believes that these amendments must come from outside the federal government because “It’s simply the nature of the system to perpetuate the system.”
My own opinion going into reading this book is that I was unsure about the requirement of a supermajority on the Supreme Court to strike down “a democratically enacted law”. Part of our problem is the legal thicket that is the result of having too many laws; making it harder to get rid of some of them strikes me as the wrong idea. But all of the laws, including that one, I thought, would reduce unreasoning partisanship by bringing legislation closer to the people.
After reading this I’m still unsure about the Supreme Court supermajority but I am even more in agreement with the rest of them. Abbott has clearly thought long and studied hard to find a solution to the problems we face at the federal level. They are definitely worth discussing.
The second half is a heartfelt appeal for the slate of constitutional amendments he’s proposed, Restoring the Rule of Law, with States Leading the Way. Whether you agree with them or not, it’s going to be hard to argue that he doesn’t have a deep respect for the constitution and what it stands for after reading these chapters.
He believes that these amendments must come from outside the federal government because “It’s simply the nature of the system to perpetuate the system.”
My own opinion going into reading this book is that I was unsure about the requirement of a supermajority on the Supreme Court to strike down “a democratically enacted law”. Part of our problem is the legal thicket that is the result of having too many laws; making it harder to get rid of some of them strikes me as the wrong idea. But all of the laws, including that one, I thought, would reduce unreasoning partisanship by bringing legislation closer to the people.
After reading this I’m still unsure about the Supreme Court supermajority but I am even more in agreement with the rest of them. Abbott has clearly thought long and studied hard to find a solution to the problems we face at the federal level. They are definitely worth discussing.
July 26, 2016
Governor Abbott tells the remarkable story of his accident and journey trying to walk again, not with his legs, but with his mind to help others. It's a great example of not letting whatever situation you face get in your way of fulfilling your dreams.
He then explains the destruction caused by the federal government on multiple levels. Moreover, he expounds on the failures of the Supreme Court to uphold the Constitution as the Founders intended. Last, but certainly not least, he discusses the power of the unelected bureaucrats in government agencies, such as the EPA, that have made destructive decisions not approved by an elected person.
Collectively, Governor Abbott makes a compelling case that the path forward is through a convention of states to bring the principles of the Founders back to the forefront of today's environment.
I enjoyed the book and found his personal story and description of the federal government's/Supreme Court's/bureaucrats' failures to be convincing that his desires are in the best interest of Texans and all Americans.
I gave the book 4 stars because I'm not quite convinced that a convention of states is the best path forward, though I admit to be a novice on the process and implications. I do recall what Hayek called the knowledge problem that a small group doesn't have sufficient information and knowledge to make appropriate market decisions. This process may fail the knowledge problem test, but there looks to be few other options at a time when the country is heading in a dismal direction.
He then explains the destruction caused by the federal government on multiple levels. Moreover, he expounds on the failures of the Supreme Court to uphold the Constitution as the Founders intended. Last, but certainly not least, he discusses the power of the unelected bureaucrats in government agencies, such as the EPA, that have made destructive decisions not approved by an elected person.
Collectively, Governor Abbott makes a compelling case that the path forward is through a convention of states to bring the principles of the Founders back to the forefront of today's environment.
I enjoyed the book and found his personal story and description of the federal government's/Supreme Court's/bureaucrats' failures to be convincing that his desires are in the best interest of Texans and all Americans.
I gave the book 4 stars because I'm not quite convinced that a convention of states is the best path forward, though I admit to be a novice on the process and implications. I do recall what Hayek called the knowledge problem that a small group doesn't have sufficient information and knowledge to make appropriate market decisions. This process may fail the knowledge problem test, but there looks to be few other options at a time when the country is heading in a dismal direction.
October 5, 2023
Very interesting, well written, clear explanation of why we need to utilize Article V, the Convention of States, to protect the 10th Amendment, restore the rule of law and get the government back to the form and function intended by our nation’s founders. He quotes them and sites the specific Articles and Sections of the Constitution that are being abused, and how we can fix the issues, as directed per the Constitution itself. He documents the ever-increasing overreach of the Executive and Judicial branches and bureaucrats, and the lack of responsibility taken by the Legislative branch to use the Power of the Purse. He delves into tangible, historical examples of the ways our freedoms have been encroached upon over the years, e.g., EPA, Obamacare, bailouts. Interesting to hear about his service in Texas as Judge (to apply the law, fair hearings, rule promptly, solid reasoning), Attorney General (use law, better safer Texas, fight Feds) and Governor (support law enforcement, secure border, cut taxes, reduce regulation, etc.), and with others in Texas, e.g., George W. Bush, Ted Cruz.
“It’s the gradual and silent encroachments of government that are often the most dangerous. Sometimes those acts build to a crescendo until they burst into a triggering event.” James Madison 1788
PETPO – People for the Ethical Treatment of Property Owners 😊
There are no rearview mirrors on my wheelchair.
“It’s the gradual and silent encroachments of government that are often the most dangerous. Sometimes those acts build to a crescendo until they burst into a triggering event.” James Madison 1788
PETPO – People for the Ethical Treatment of Property Owners 😊
There are no rearview mirrors on my wheelchair.
May 24, 2016
A must read! I learned a lot from this book. Well written and simple enough to understand. And it actually has real ways to address and correct the problems with the federal government.
We CAN do it.
The Constitutional spirit and framework declare a government for and by the people.
Article V. Convention of States.
Read this book!
We CAN do it.
The Constitutional spirit and framework declare a government for and by the people.
Article V. Convention of States.
Read this book!
June 10, 2018
I met the Governor a couple weeks ago so I decided to buy his book to see what he was about. The book is very easy to read, clear, concise and well written. I found this surprising for a book written by a lawyer.
Abbott wants to return the rule of law to America the way the constitution and its authors intended it. He wants legislators to write the laws, the judiciary to interpret the laws, and the executive to enforce the laws. He feels that when our laws don’t match the needs of our country the constitution should be amended through the legal process and he abhors activist judges who create law on the fly as well as executive over-reach where presidents decide which laws they will choose to enforce and which they will not.
In the era of selfish politicians who feel it’s their turn to feed at the public trough I found Abbott’s intentions and sincerity refreshing.
Abbott wants to return the rule of law to America the way the constitution and its authors intended it. He wants legislators to write the laws, the judiciary to interpret the laws, and the executive to enforce the laws. He feels that when our laws don’t match the needs of our country the constitution should be amended through the legal process and he abhors activist judges who create law on the fly as well as executive over-reach where presidents decide which laws they will choose to enforce and which they will not.
In the era of selfish politicians who feel it’s their turn to feed at the public trough I found Abbott’s intentions and sincerity refreshing.
June 12, 2019
This is a MUST READ for all Americans - it is basically a primer on the steps that have led our country away from the intention of the founders when creating our constitution, as well as the steps we must take to return our federal government to a place of accountability and alignment with their original intent.
February 28, 2017
Outstanding book by a truly courageous man. Greg Abbott is a diehard Constitutionalist. I'd recommend this book to everyone, especially considering our current political climate.
September 10, 2017
Very inspiring and very interesting. Full of information about how we the people can change things if we want. Governor Abbott of Texas is a brilliant man. I want him to run for President!!
August 19, 2018
Great book. I really like Abbott's ideas and put them in a category with those of Bobby Jindal. If he ran for president, I'd vote for him. An Abbott Jindal ticket would be outstanding
April 18, 2021
For Abbott, America is a brand of bath tub. And he knows the right carpenter to patch your leaky tub, at least to get you till the next mandate.
August 24, 2021
I disagree with Governor Abbott on policy. Put plainly, I think most of his politics are really stupid and harm people. However, I agree with a lot of what he says in this book. He has good ideas for reforming the Constitution, even though they are very unlikely. to actually happen. He articulates them well
August 12, 2016
This book is in part the typical promotional platform for a politician, but it is made more powerful by Gov. Abbot's circumstances. After a brief biography, a description of his accident, and an account of his accomplishments that followed, he begins to make his case for a convention of states, also called an Article V convention after the part of the Constitution that defines how it may be done. Though I remain incompletely convinced, his arguments are worth consideration. It will be worth your time to read what he has to say. I suspect you will hear from him in the future.
June 21, 2016
This is a very well written and easy to understand auto-biography by the current governor of Texas, Greg Abbott. Using his being struck down by a tree at the beginning of his career as an attorney as a vehicle to help the reader understand what "We The People" need to do in order to rein in our federal government and supreme court operating contrary to the constitution. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and found the information I have gained to be invaluable. I highly recommend this book.
July 17, 2016
Very informative information on the Constitution. I admire the man.
August 28, 2016
Easy. Gov. Greg Abbot's suggestions for amending the Constitution
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews