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Citizen Newt: The Making of a Reagan Conservative
In one way or another Newt Gingrich has been leading a revolution for most of his life. Citizen Newt is the definitive account of that struggle. Writing with the full cooperation of Speaker Gingrich and the players around him, New York Times bestselling author Craig Shirley captures the events, ideas, failures, and successes of Newton Leroy Gingrich-one of the most complex, influential, and durable political figures of our time. Returning to Gingrich's childhood in Pennsylvania and his formative years as a young history professor, Citizen Newt moves through Gingrich's first forays into politics and takes listeners behind the scenes of the congressman's crucial role in the Reagan Revolution, his battles with George H. W. Bush and Bill Clinton, and his masterly orchestration of 1994's "Gingrich Revolution" and the Contract with America, which catapulted him to national prominence and forever changed congressional and national politics. Drawing upon untold stories from Gingrich and those who know him best-political allies and opponents, Washington insiders and political iconoclasts, Capitol Hill staffers and colleagues-Shirley has crafted a fascinating, humorous, humanizing, and insightful account of a true American original.
- GenresBiography
576 pages, ebook
Published August 29, 2017
25 people are currently reading
70 people want to read
About the author
Craig Shirley
18 books51 followersCraigan Paul Shirley is an American political consultant and author of several books on Ronald Reagan.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
November 20, 2017
Citizen Newt : The Making Of A Reagan Conservative is a lengthy 576 page authorized political biography by notable NYT bestselling author Craig Shirley. Deeply conservative, Shirley has written extensively about the historical impact of the Republican policies and influence in America, and the notable GOP leadership from Abraham Lincoln to Ronald Reagan. Shirley feels the importance for Conservatives to tell their stories from their own perspectives, as many of the books and articles about Republican’s are written with liberal slant and bias by Democrats.
Newt Gingrich (1943-) was adopted by his step-father, a career Army officer. The Gingrich’s lived overseas in France and Germany where his father was stationed. Later, Gingrich would express regret over not serving in the military, opting instead for deferments to avoid the war in Vietnam. NG completed his education at Tulane University earning a PhD in European History. In 1978, he was elected on his third attempt to the Georgia 6th Congressional District, the first Republican to represent the district since the Reconstruction era.
Weeks after he assumed his congressional seat, NG wasted no time policing the actions of colleagues and peers and called for the resignation of two congressmen suspected of corruption affiliated with an FBI ABSCAM probe. NG blasted the Carter Administration for their lack of support for the Shah of Iran, claiming American prestige had been compromised.
Shirley didn’t conceal the fact that NG targeted and attacked others, (mostly Democrats). He called the Democrats a “leadership of thugs” and appeared to be a self-righteous bully that was filled with contempt, suspicion, and hostility for those who didn’t agree with him or measure up to his idealistic high standards. Years later, Mike Synar (Oklahoma) said it best-- calling NG a “Legislative Terrorist”. It was unclear how Gingrich thought he would influence or change the system for the better when he didn’t seem to understand the basic principles of civility, common courtesy and respect for others.
After the retirement of Tip O’Neill (1986), Texas Congressman Jim Wright (1922-2015) had briefly served as Speaker of the House before abruptly resigning on June 06, 1989. In an hour long tearful speech, with his wife present, he “bitterly renounced the vigilante mentality that furthered alleged violations and vendettas” Wright, a true gentleman, didn’t mention NG by name, and certainly could have protested ethic allegations in the deliberate “crusade” waged against him. Instead, after serving in congress for 34 years, Wright returned to Texas and was never heard from again. This was the first time in history a resignation like this had occurred.
The American political history beginning in the 1970’s was very interesting and covered well-- from Watergate, to the controversy of the Panama Canal, high inflation, interest rates, the Carter and Ford administration. The 1980’s brought two long terms of the Reagan Administration: the cold war with the Soviet Union, Communism, tax cuts, terrorism, the military, the economy, the Nicaraguan Contra’s the Iran Contra’s, the HIV/AIDS epidemic-- ending the book in the 1990’s with NG involvement with the Clinton Administration. A lengthy and animated piece was included about Nelson Aldrich Rockefeller (1908-79). According to Shirley, “Rocky” suffered a fatal heart attack while in the intimate company of his young aide.
The title, “Citizen Newt” is somewhat misleading, because most stories that involve and include instances and events with family and friends are noticeably left out, the focus being strictly political. NG “brilliance” was compared to the notable Republican leadership of Henry Clay, Abraham Lincoln, Richard Nixon and Ronald Reagan. While NG consistently raised awareness and called attention to congressional corruption, his personality and character seemed to cast a terrible toxicity over nearly everything he did. In fact, if there was any brilliance in NG, it was overshadowed by a negativity that Shirley was unable to camouflage and disguise.
** With appreciation and thanks to HarperCollins via NetGalley for the DDC for the purpose of review.
Newt Gingrich (1943-) was adopted by his step-father, a career Army officer. The Gingrich’s lived overseas in France and Germany where his father was stationed. Later, Gingrich would express regret over not serving in the military, opting instead for deferments to avoid the war in Vietnam. NG completed his education at Tulane University earning a PhD in European History. In 1978, he was elected on his third attempt to the Georgia 6th Congressional District, the first Republican to represent the district since the Reconstruction era.
Weeks after he assumed his congressional seat, NG wasted no time policing the actions of colleagues and peers and called for the resignation of two congressmen suspected of corruption affiliated with an FBI ABSCAM probe. NG blasted the Carter Administration for their lack of support for the Shah of Iran, claiming American prestige had been compromised.
Shirley didn’t conceal the fact that NG targeted and attacked others, (mostly Democrats). He called the Democrats a “leadership of thugs” and appeared to be a self-righteous bully that was filled with contempt, suspicion, and hostility for those who didn’t agree with him or measure up to his idealistic high standards. Years later, Mike Synar (Oklahoma) said it best-- calling NG a “Legislative Terrorist”. It was unclear how Gingrich thought he would influence or change the system for the better when he didn’t seem to understand the basic principles of civility, common courtesy and respect for others.
After the retirement of Tip O’Neill (1986), Texas Congressman Jim Wright (1922-2015) had briefly served as Speaker of the House before abruptly resigning on June 06, 1989. In an hour long tearful speech, with his wife present, he “bitterly renounced the vigilante mentality that furthered alleged violations and vendettas” Wright, a true gentleman, didn’t mention NG by name, and certainly could have protested ethic allegations in the deliberate “crusade” waged against him. Instead, after serving in congress for 34 years, Wright returned to Texas and was never heard from again. This was the first time in history a resignation like this had occurred.
The American political history beginning in the 1970’s was very interesting and covered well-- from Watergate, to the controversy of the Panama Canal, high inflation, interest rates, the Carter and Ford administration. The 1980’s brought two long terms of the Reagan Administration: the cold war with the Soviet Union, Communism, tax cuts, terrorism, the military, the economy, the Nicaraguan Contra’s the Iran Contra’s, the HIV/AIDS epidemic-- ending the book in the 1990’s with NG involvement with the Clinton Administration. A lengthy and animated piece was included about Nelson Aldrich Rockefeller (1908-79). According to Shirley, “Rocky” suffered a fatal heart attack while in the intimate company of his young aide.
The title, “Citizen Newt” is somewhat misleading, because most stories that involve and include instances and events with family and friends are noticeably left out, the focus being strictly political. NG “brilliance” was compared to the notable Republican leadership of Henry Clay, Abraham Lincoln, Richard Nixon and Ronald Reagan. While NG consistently raised awareness and called attention to congressional corruption, his personality and character seemed to cast a terrible toxicity over nearly everything he did. In fact, if there was any brilliance in NG, it was overshadowed by a negativity that Shirley was unable to camouflage and disguise.
** With appreciation and thanks to HarperCollins via NetGalley for the DDC for the purpose of review.
August 27, 2017
Many of us will remember the Republican revolution that brought GOP majorities to the house for years. Newt Gingrich back then was considered the author of this revolution and a celebrated house speaker. Private affairs, but also a temperament that did offend likely one too many people in the GOP spelled an early end to his career in DC. Now Newt is more affiliated with the Trump campaign than seen as a thought leader of the GOP.
So when Shirley's book is promising a biography of "one of the most important, provocative, and visionary political figures of our time", it summarizing the lasting image of Newt Gingrich to many voters in the USA. In his second book focused on Gingrich, Shirley writes a comprehensive biography of this political phenom that is Gingrich. He starts at his childhood in Pennsylvania that despite not being political still laid the groundwork for his later foray into politics as well as his approach to winning votes and majorities, culminating in the Contract with America. This contract, even though many bills never made it into law, was characterized by a belief in a Reagan brand of conservatism and Gingrich was considered at the time its most vocal proponent. Very few people remember that other politicians, such as Dick Armey, contributed to the proposal. This was Gingrich's proposal and the subsequent Republican majority in the House became his victory. As such, Shirley does not question the leadership of Gingrich, something I would have like to have seen in this book.
This book is a comprehensive biography that follows the life of a still controversial, but also influential figure in American politics from his childhood to an academic career that ended up with a relatively quick rise in politics. After a quick fall, Gingrich is now gaining importance again as a spokesperson for the new administration, an early follower that has so far stayed away from official DC roles, he is nevertheless still influential and, by his own account, traces his roots back to the GOP of Reagan. It is fitting that Shirley, who also covered Reagan in his books, is now depicting Gingrich as yet another important, but also divisive figure in US politics, but also within the GOP itself.
Disclaimer: I received a free sample of the book in exchange for an honest review. The opinion expressed is solely my own and has not been influenced by any third party.
So when Shirley's book is promising a biography of "one of the most important, provocative, and visionary political figures of our time", it summarizing the lasting image of Newt Gingrich to many voters in the USA. In his second book focused on Gingrich, Shirley writes a comprehensive biography of this political phenom that is Gingrich. He starts at his childhood in Pennsylvania that despite not being political still laid the groundwork for his later foray into politics as well as his approach to winning votes and majorities, culminating in the Contract with America. This contract, even though many bills never made it into law, was characterized by a belief in a Reagan brand of conservatism and Gingrich was considered at the time its most vocal proponent. Very few people remember that other politicians, such as Dick Armey, contributed to the proposal. This was Gingrich's proposal and the subsequent Republican majority in the House became his victory. As such, Shirley does not question the leadership of Gingrich, something I would have like to have seen in this book.
This book is a comprehensive biography that follows the life of a still controversial, but also influential figure in American politics from his childhood to an academic career that ended up with a relatively quick rise in politics. After a quick fall, Gingrich is now gaining importance again as a spokesperson for the new administration, an early follower that has so far stayed away from official DC roles, he is nevertheless still influential and, by his own account, traces his roots back to the GOP of Reagan. It is fitting that Shirley, who also covered Reagan in his books, is now depicting Gingrich as yet another important, but also divisive figure in US politics, but also within the GOP itself.
Disclaimer: I received a free sample of the book in exchange for an honest review. The opinion expressed is solely my own and has not been influenced by any third party.
September 4, 2017
The Making of a Speaker of the House
New Gingrich is and has been a colorful and polarizing political figure. This biography does him justice. Starting with Gingrich’s youth in Pennsylvania, it moves quickly to his days as a college professor. Although the book doesn’t state it explicitly, I believe that Gingrich loved to teach. He kept his professorship through all his early campaigns. This was partly a matter of money, but since he continued teaching when in congress, I believe it is also a matter of enjoying the activity.
The stories of Gingrich’s three early campaigns to gain a seat in the House are fascinating. You can definitely say he isn’t a quitter. The early days in the House are also interesting. Gingrich was and is a conservative. His struggles to get the House to embrace a conservative agenda are well worth reading.
Much as I loved the book, I did have some disappointment. It’s well written and easy to read, not dry like some biographies. Gingrich’s early life and tenure in the house before becoming Speaker are well done. However, the book ends just when things are getting exciting. He’s on the verge of becoming Speaker. This leaves out all the interesting incidents surrounding being removed from the Speaker position by his party, the impeachment of Clinton, and his run for President in 2012. I’m sure there are equally interesting incidents in these years. Perhaps another book is planned.
I received this book from Booklookbloggers for this review.
New Gingrich is and has been a colorful and polarizing political figure. This biography does him justice. Starting with Gingrich’s youth in Pennsylvania, it moves quickly to his days as a college professor. Although the book doesn’t state it explicitly, I believe that Gingrich loved to teach. He kept his professorship through all his early campaigns. This was partly a matter of money, but since he continued teaching when in congress, I believe it is also a matter of enjoying the activity.
The stories of Gingrich’s three early campaigns to gain a seat in the House are fascinating. You can definitely say he isn’t a quitter. The early days in the House are also interesting. Gingrich was and is a conservative. His struggles to get the House to embrace a conservative agenda are well worth reading.
Much as I loved the book, I did have some disappointment. It’s well written and easy to read, not dry like some biographies. Gingrich’s early life and tenure in the house before becoming Speaker are well done. However, the book ends just when things are getting exciting. He’s on the verge of becoming Speaker. This leaves out all the interesting incidents surrounding being removed from the Speaker position by his party, the impeachment of Clinton, and his run for President in 2012. I’m sure there are equally interesting incidents in these years. Perhaps another book is planned.
I received this book from Booklookbloggers for this review.
January 14, 2022
This is a good book. It is not a great book. Primarily because it stops short of Gingrich’s Speakership (which I think is the most interesting part of the story). Secondly, the narrator sometimes has a tendency to place additional comments in the prose that kind of damage the flow of the work. It is, however, a very fast paced and entertaining read. The similarities between Gingrich’s use of C-SPAN and new media in the 80s and 90s is oddly reminiscent of the use of social media by new House troublemakers like AOC, there are also further parallels such as Gingrich and the more conservative member’s troublemaking not only to the majority but also to their own party’s leadership. This is similar to the Squad today. Of course, one difference is that Gingrich was a very efficient political operator and became part of leadership, he also had a number of legislative successes. All in all, not a bad book. But not a great one.
August 30, 2017
I received a complimentary copy.
If you can get through the description of this book without being bored or losing interest, then this hugely thick book will be a great read. I found myself having to put it down a lot, and not just because it was super heavy.
While the author writes clearly and tried to make the biography interesting as well as moving in a good flow, I personnaly thought it dragged on and was thrilled more so when it was finished. I would recommend this book to help you rest at night before bed, unless the views included keep you up thinking.
If you can get through the description of this book without being bored or losing interest, then this hugely thick book will be a great read. I found myself having to put it down a lot, and not just because it was super heavy.
While the author writes clearly and tried to make the biography interesting as well as moving in a good flow, I personnaly thought it dragged on and was thrilled more so when it was finished. I would recommend this book to help you rest at night before bed, unless the views included keep you up thinking.
July 21, 2025
If you are a conservative, and you are looking for the heores of that glorious movement, Newt Gingrich stands with Ronald Reagan as one who lead the Renaissance of small government in the United States.
This book does a magnificent job of telling the story of how he helped usher in an age of prosperity and freedom for the American people, for which he, not Bill Clinton, deserves the lion's share of the credit.
Hail Newt!
This book does a magnificent job of telling the story of how he helped usher in an age of prosperity and freedom for the American people, for which he, not Bill Clinton, deserves the lion's share of the credit.
Hail Newt!
August 25, 2019
My only complaint, disappointment really, is that the book ends with Gingrich becoming House speaker after the Republican wave election of 1994.
It's heavily documented though, with the end notes starting 65 percent of the way in.
It's heavily documented though, with the end notes starting 65 percent of the way in.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews