Bad Republican

by Meghan McCain

In her intimate, first audio memoir, Meghan McCain finds herself at a transitional moment: with the passing of her war-hero father and the birth of her daughter Liberty, Meghan realizes she’s becoming a different woman. Known as a Republican rebel and a departing cohost of "The View", new mom Meghan McCain tells her story - in her own words. She invites listeners inside the unwavering heart and ferocious mind of a young conservative woman who refuses to back down.

With the aptly titled Bad Republican, McCain expresses how it is to feel like you no longer fit in with your political party. She tells of growing up the daughter of an American icon who shaped her life and details the heartbreaking final moments spent by his side. She recalls her (mis)adventures on the New York dating scene and brings us up to speed on meeting her now-husband. We hear her views on cancel culture and Internet trolls as well as life backstage as the sole Republican at America’s most-watched daytime talk show - and why she decided to leave. Revealingly, she relays the awkward phone call she received from Donald and Melania and where she thinks the Republican Party and the country go from here. And with surprising candor, she divulges why a miscarriage and the birth of her daughter have left her so fired up about women’s rights - even if that puts her at odds with her party.

Unsparingly honest, deeply relatable, and highly entertaining, Bad Republican is as personal as a story gets. It’s a memoir imbued with an unmistakable maverick spirit.

Genres: Nonfiction, Memoir, Biography Memoir, Audiobook, Autobiography

216 pages, Audiobook

Published October 21, 2021

About the author

Daughter of the 2008 Republican candidate for president John McCain. Meghan followed her father during his presidential campaign and accounted it on her blog.

She claimed to have voted for John Kerry in 2004. But changed to Republican in 2008.

Meghan also had a job in the media working for "Saturday Night life" and "Newsweek"

Reviews

[Jess · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a preface, I am not a Republican and I will never be a Republican, but this book was a great read. Meghan McCain narrates the audiobook herself and the telling of her story has made me respect her and her journey. She speaks out about how as a female Conservative, she still respects and supports women and their choices, as well as being staunchly Anti-Trump and questioning the future of the Republican party. I would highly recommend this book to everyone on both sides of the aisle.

[Laianna · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I was a child, my grandmother had one rule: at 11am on weekdays, she had to watch The View. It was a ritual that I didn’t appreciate until I was older, when she was dying of cancer and The View (and politics in general) became the one topic we could always discuss.

My grandmother was dying at the same time that Meghan’s father was dying. Even though I am neither conservative nor republican, I related more to Meghan than the other cohosts. Her face was an open book and she always spoke her mind. Like me, she was losing the one person who always made her feel loved. She, too, went to work every day feeling like her world was falling apart.

In this book, Meghan gets real about birth, death, and misogyny. The narrative is both eloquent and heartfelt. If she ever runs for office, she will be a formidable candidate. I felt her grief for her father, her joy for her daughter, and her passion for causes such as paid maternity leave and millennials in politics. She’s a shrewd political analyst who does not hesitate to call out her party or call in the other side.

If you think you know Meghan from unflattering viral videos, I encourage you to give her a listen. I adored her on The View but I’ve followed her career for years. She might be a “bad republican” but she is a good writer, and her non-traditional views will interest pundits and casual fans alike. Specifically, her dating advice had me dying. Would definitely recommend.

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

I miss Meghan McCain's presence on The View and was eager to listen to this audiobook. She is tough, articulate, and politically informed. Even if I disagree with where she lands on a given issue, I'm never bored listening to her, and respect her perspective.

This book focuses on the double-edged sword of media, party politics in these turbulent times, and how we ALL need to listen to each other more. She also shares candidly about the highs and lows of life at The View, her struggles with pregnancy and new motherhood, and close bond with her dad, John McCain (one of my favorite Republicans). Her eulogy at his funeral had me in tears.

Chapter 2, "Shaking With Rage" was my favorite. It calls out American society on the ridiculous expectations we place on mothers (the lack of support and paid leave, the endless double standards and misogyny, the unattainable and toxic images of motherhood polished to a perfect shine on Instagram and Pinterest...the list goes on). It is ridiculous, it is bullshit, and it has to stop. I loved this chapter -- it was a whole mic drop moment, dripping with truth. 👏👏👏

[Danielle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like to hear Meghan’s take on life with her dad because it reminds me a lot of my Paps. It’s a real blessing to have men like that in your life.

Aside from that, obviously I stayed for the BTS on The View, which is as messy as you’d think, and even got bonus juicy gossip like things involving the Palin clan and even.. Tila Tequila! Wow, I’m an old millennial.

I wouldn’t want to hear it in anyone else’s voice but I do have to admit she isn’t the best narrator. Not bad at all, but felt more like just reading it than really feeling it sometimes.

Definitely recommend to people of any political side interested in a glimpse into that world; I didn’t find it divisive.

[Kristen · Rating 4 out of 5]

4⭐️.

I watched Meghan McCain for years on The View and grew to appreciate the way she thinks about politics. This audiobook was well produced and gave insights in why she departed The View and how she felt during her father’s fight against cancer. Her thoughts on grief, in all its forms, really hit home for me. Overall, it was an insightful read.

[Jane McNerney · Rating 2 out of 5]

Sadly, not terribly impressed by Meghan McCain.

Granted, I've never watched her on the View, so maybe I didn't know what I was in for. But, I don't think I know anything at the end of this that I didn't know at the start.

I did laugh out loud, however, when she described Ben Domenech's family as "blue collar." His dad has a wikipedia page!!! Not exactly "blue collar."

Meghan has been forever altered by the birth of her daughter (which she made clear when she quit the View). But I don't think she cares that much for her husband...

This was pretty short. That's all I've got.

[Angela Hedworth · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm curious about the other side. However, this book did not give me any insight into the Republican party of today. It's more of a series of essays bashing The View, which I never watched and don't know anything about. I did agree that our country undervalues mothers. I didn't think Meghan McCain and I would agree on anything.

[BespectacledBookGirl]

Ok! I have now read all 3 of Meghan McCain’s books. What I enjoy is her candor, her general “wtf??” Incredulity at the insanity unfurling in the right wing, her comfort in calling it out, the way she can roast an old man in a suit with a few words, and her awkward and earnest bull doggedness.
I am intellectually so fascinated by and can’t stop scratching the scab of: how can some people share many of the same deep core convictions and hopes for the future, and do the math problem almost the same, and yet arrive at actually incompatible results? She seems to be the only publicly platformed conservative who has been warning of the MAGA rise and dangers since 2008; I live for her tea on the Palins, am surprised by her disdain for the Bushes, and obviously am cathartically relieved to hear SOMEONE on a right wing platform go toe to to with the Trumps. She’s very blunt about the death of the Republican Party and the group think, abandonment of decency, and the capitulation to greed that got them there. She is vocal that there used to be a diversity of trains of thought in the GOP, and now there is only one, and it rejects reason logic and a commitment to productive arguing and conceding losses. These are qualities I want to see return to life here on the ground: when will we be able to get through to people’s brains again? I’m exhausted and despairing after many hard years of trying to talk far right folks back to sanity and its seeming more impossible every year. How do we go forward? How do we reach and energize voters in the middle and aimless not MAGA conservative voters to rebuild what’s crumbling? She doesn’t offer really any solutions, but she is aggressive about holding the mirror up to her own party, and about advocating for a return to critical thinking, and so I listened to all 3 books in a row slightly for the fantasy of a world where that is possible.

[Christopher]

As of right now, this book has more ratings (311) on this website than it has actually sold. Im sure that is normal. see source:
https://uproxx.com/viral/meghan-mccai...

Anyway, Tim Dillon played the best Meghan McCain.

[Carleen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not sure what drew me to read this book? Didn’t really know much about her before. After reading this I’m not really impressed with her. While I appreciate her life experiences she comes off a bit whiny and vindictive...not very likable, in my opinion. Unless you are a big fan of hers...I’d skip this one.

[Jen Pennington · Rating 5 out of 5]

I will always be a fan girl. I found myself nodding throughout this memoir. Relatable, candid, spot on social and political commentary for the times.

[Erin Nudi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well my post-partum experience was less, I think someone is going to kidnap the baby, and more, please someone come and kidnap the baby. Hahahaha, no but seriously this was good. I actually didn't know much about her before listening, and I'd like to see/read more of her.

[Craig Amason · Rating 3 out of 5]

For someone whose life has been surrounded by drama, Meghan McCain seems determined to present herself as grounded, balanced, and in control. But no matter how many times throughout this brief audio memoir she assures her audience that she is not a snowflake and has a tough outer shell, the stories she tells about her rough-and-tumble experiences tend to make me think otherwise. She almost comes across as someone who lived a rather sheltered life through early adulthood, which would not be surprising for the daughter of a conservative politician who knew first-hand as a veteran and prisoner of war just how dangerous the world can be.

McCain is quite candid about her emotional breakdowns, the tragedies that almost crushed her, and the many times she was devastated by betrayal from people closest to her -- those she considered either friends or trusted colleagues. In this regard she spends a lot of time talking about her trials and tribulations during her tenure with the daytime television show, "The View." Again, she sounds a bit naïve even though she assures us she is not. Admittedly, she has been a lightening rod for criticism and attacks from the left (or even the public in general) and as such has often placed herself on hilltops in the middle of raging thunderstorms: appearances on late night talk shows, public speaking gigs at liberal universities, and the lone female conservative voice on television (a bit of a stretch).

McCain freely admits she is a product of privilege and constantly expresses sympathy for the majority of the population that struggles just to make ends meet. However, she sounds disingenuous about this socio-economic divide at times. When her father was dying of cancer, she mentions going out shopping at Whole Foods (or was it Fresh Market?) for him. Why not just say you went grocery shopping for him instead of naming a franchise that caters to your specific demographic and has prices too high for most Americans? When arguing for the need for family leave government benefits, often vehemently opposed by most conservatives, she bemoans the fact that as a new mother she didn't even have time to get her hair tipped.

Which brings up another point. The policies where McCain usually departs from other conservatives are those that address issues she has had to face personally, like family leave because she is a working mom. Not that she needs the money, but she recognizes the challenges of being a working mother, which helps her sympathize with those less fortunate than she is who are strapped, especially if they are single moms. However, McCain still maintains her stance against abortion, and we have to wonder is this because she never was faced with an unwanted pregnancy. Her position was probably even strengthened given that she suffered through a miscarriage, and in spite of having a tough time with post-partum issues, now says she loves being a mom and would like to have a million babies. Oh my.

Easily the most interesting parts of this audiobook to me are the sections where she talks about her father, and fortunately she does it a lot. She absolutely adored him, and I have no doubt he felt the same. And although she recalls times when he was strict and attempted to make her as tough as he was, she makes it sound like he was always trying to protect her, as any good father would do. Her assessment of his life and career feels frank and honest. She recognizes him as a hero, to her personally and to the country he served, but she doesn't paint a glossy, flattering portrait of him either.

She also expresses disdain for all the people who came out after his death lauding him with praise when less than a year earlier they were hurling political rocks at him. Of course, she reserves her greatest contempt for President Donald Trump, who displayed some of his worst character flaws in comments he made about John McCain, before and after his death. There is no love lost there. But again, her father demonstrated his true statesmanship, as he had done many times throughout his career, when he encouraged Meghan to take a call from President Trump, which she didn't want to do. "He's the President of the United States," her father told her. "You have to take the call." If this memoir accomplished nothing else, it helped me respect John McCain a little bit more.

[Pam · Rating 4 out of 5]

I grabbed this book on impulse, largely because I liked John McCain and The View (somewhat). This was written after John McCain's death, the birth of Meghan McCain's daughter, Biden's election and the insurrection. It's interesting to read her. I'm not a Republican. But I like her pragmatic approach and outspokenness, and she is a rare example of a conservative woman who would dare talk back to conservative (and other) men. She's complicated. She's a military kid from Arizona and a self-described 1%er. She's at least a part-time resident "inside the beltway," a political insider. She decries the Baby Boomer generation but idolizes her father--who represented the best of it. She opposes abortion, supports Israel and says Trump's moving the embassy was a long-held ambition of her party. Despite the post-election polls, she sees Trump as a populist man-of-the-hour (of THAT hour when he was elected) and still subscribes to the idea that Trump supporters were poor and marginalized people who had been "overlooked." She's not that bad as a Republican.

I think the book was written for Republicans, and could have done better at placing her in the context of the many who report feeling "politically homeless" as the Republican Party's leadership continue to hedge their bets for fear of Trump winning another term. Another conundrum: twice-impeached, Baby Boomer billionaire, populist everyman and insurrectionist leader and they feel powerless against him. No Republican seems to be offering the "bad Republicans" an exit strategy, but she describes their uncomfortable lack of options.

I appreciated her comments about how conservative women are overlooked in representing the party as that of old, white males. She shares personal examples and notes that attacks on Sarah Palin were misogynistic...though she didn't seem to care for her father's running mate that much (there's some dishing). She claims to have had a racial wakening - after reading Condoleezza Rice's op-ed calling for self-examination and hearing first-person stories from Sunny Hostin, her The View co-host, and Senator Tim Scott. She also recounts her father's defense of President Obama during the election where he ran against him. I'm glad she included that. That was the classy, human thing McCain Sr. did that made me admire him. That, and his vote for the Affordable Care Act. But when she describes the post-George Floyd murder protests "America setting itself on fire," she unfortunately skirts the conspiracy theories about Black Lives Matter that still pop up when the uninformed blame January 6 on BLM and Antifa.

I found the writing at times disjointed, especially when the author is describing the views that make her a "bad Republican" and those that make her loyal to the party. One example: her explanation of her bad treatment on The View is that she was "the only Republican" and became an "avatar" and receptacle for reactions to Trump's presidency--and to Republicans--"I can separate the two," she writes. Then, a few pages later, she writes, "When dozens of Republicans reportedly gave QAnon conspiracy theorist and radical Marjorie Taylor Greene a standing ovation, I found myself thinking, 'No wonder everybody thinks Republicans are crazy.'"

She goes on: "On January 6, I cried watching the mob storm the Capitol...it felt like we were living in a science-fiction movie....and the president and his followers doing nothing to stop it--chilled me to my core.....On January 7, I believed that either the Twenty-Fifth Amendment would be invoked or Trump would be impeached immediately."

It never enters her mind (or at least it isn't in the book) how misplaced her faith in her party--and the Trump cabinet--turned out to be, and no re-thinking of her prior vehement defense of both. She says she felt she was a defender not of Trump--but of Trump's supporters. For many of us, Trump is easy to understand but his supporters are the conundrum. Also, people like her who defend the party who put him forward as a candidate when there were so many others in the primary. She quotes a poll in the same chapter that concluded conservatives are afraid to speak their views aloud. Wow--even after the Trump rallies, Charleston, the Trump mini-me's in Congress and the insurrection? She even mentions her disbelief that later that day over 100 congress members voted against certifying the election results. Another party talking point: conservatives are silenced and unrepresented in media.

Her own personal favorite talking point is how badly she and her family have been treated. They have--especially by Trump. Part of it was via her association with her father and taking on the mantle of defending his legacy. Seems his asking her to do his eulogy felt like a mantle. I appreciate that role and her clap-backs at Trump. But by making every story about her treatment and feelings about it, it distracts from what she is writing on a wide range of topics: generational politics, social media, technology, an insider view of elections and the Republican party. By connecting her policy choices about family leave and equity to her own personal story, it's hard to see them as a possible iteration of conservatism.

I think she could have better presented an alternative Republican identity if she would let go of defending all Republicans. This party loyalty translated into a blind spot to the radicalization of a subset of Trump supporters who would become the insurrectionist mob which she wrote "chilled her to my core." I was not a regular viewer of The View, but watched enough to be surprised at how personally she took the hits as a stand-in for all things Republican--including Trump and his supporters. She still doesn't seem to understand what was behind the desperation and urgency of her co-hosts, who saw more clearly where the slow motion train wreck was heading. Will they be surprised, as I was, at her reaction watching the January 6th insurrection and the lack of response from Republicans afterward? Thanks to reading this book, I can better understand how Republicans felt who never saw it coming, the true believers who felt the full weight of the Trump threat while witnessing the take-over of the Capitol and "police running for their lives." What I still don't understand is how they missed it given the way Trump and his circle telegraphed it, and how quickly that day was normalized by the Republican party, especially those in office, with no apparent blowback from staunch party members like Meghan McCain.

The book begins and ends with her daughter, Liberty. From the last paragraph: "What will the world be like for her?...I want to foster a new environment and a new world that she [Liberty] will want to exist in. There's no other option anymore except to work together to make things better. If we haven't hit rock bottom, surely we are close. There's only one thing left to do. When you're going through hell, you have to keep going." An odd mix of optimism, fatalism and stick-to-itiveness. She's complicated.

[Alisa Renee · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was interesting to learn Meghan and understand why she is who she is. I sobbed all the way through the chapter on her dad and her eulogy because I, too, adore my father. Other than that, she was typical Megs. Bratty. And does she realize she isn’t the first woman on the planet who has birthed a child? And some women have multiples? And are single raising kids alone?? Does she know? Because I’m not sure she knows. She’s the biggest mother martyr ever.

I liked the book because I like learning why people tick. I didn’t like her any more at the end of it than I did at the beginning tho. I just understood her more, which is nice, I guess.

[Linda Hutchinson · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This is the first Audible book I have finished. I am one of those crazy people that likes to flip the pages and read a book…no judgment; it’s just not for me because my mind wanders too much, and I go off track. I admire my peeps who can drive and listen to Audible, but it won’t be me unless I increase my insurance rates. However, after recent eye surgery, I couldn’t read, so I thought I would take on Bad Republican by Megan McCain. I am a moderate. I see both sides, and then I make decisions. I find her engaging, just like I find Anderson Cooper interesting. I don’t watch Fox, MSNBC, or CNN ever. It keeps me out of trouble. I liked this story, and this is primarily the story of a girl who loved her father deeply. I can relate to that. It’s a cancer story, and it’s a story about The View (which I won’t watch), it’s a story about giving birth to her first child. She covers a lot of subjects, and it is very personal her story. I think, for the most part, Meghan comes off as a strong, intelligent woman. I was doubtful at the start because the first part of the book covers giving birth to her daughter, and I couldn’t comprehend her hospital experience. Megan is smart enough to seek help instead of letting some nurse or any woman tell her what she was doing wrong. It’s just the way life goes, and if someone didn’t like my milk-stained shirts and rolls of empty fat, then you aren’t for me. But the REST of the book was so well done I could forget that first chapter. I wish we had more Meghan McCain’s in the world. She is intelligent, brilliant, and she knows her shit; I like her regardless of being a good or bad Republican. I don’t typically discuss politics, but I would highly recommend this book. #meghanmccain #republican #politics #life #herhusbandsoundsawesome #lovingdaughter #devotedMom

#reading #books #bookstagram #book #booksofinstagram #booklovers #bookish #lindaleereads2021 #mmdbookclub #idratherbereading #readinglife #fallreading #modernmrsdarcy #October 🎃

[chris · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wasn't sure what to expect with this book, given I've seen a few of the clips making their rounds on social media of the verbal altercations with her co-hosts on "The View".
the thing about having a show is the whole point of it, is to make money for the corporation/media company. the shareholders want to profit from their investment. and if a show can't capture an audience, keep it for the allotted time, and then have return customers, then pretty sure it's not making money. BONUS if it can make headlines. repeated BONUS if gets repeated headlines.
not sure what the obsession/default mindset is about getting women on a show and instigating catfights (besides the trainwreck spectacle of it). I find it a sad state of tv that THIS is what corporate wants (and btw this has been going on for decades so this is a not a new tv thingy not sure if it's a societal thingy or a patriarchy thingy or what).
didn't like: she repeats herself a couple times, not sure if she worked with an editor or not?? not sure how self-aware she is, relating to her treatment of others??
liked: that she told her story and it flowed pretty well. great insight abt childbirth and breastfeeding. sad she encountered poor medical staff. one has to wonder if that's just the way the nurses were or if they didn't like her bc of her politics. always insightful to hear what someone was going thru personally in contrast to what they presented or how they were perceived by the public/media/trolls.
she brings up some good points about how we seem to have lost being able to listen to each other and come together, regardless of our beliefs.

[Lizzy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have always been a huge fan of Meghan McCain, and she did not disappoint with this audio memoir. Yes, she spilled the occasional tea and wasn’t afraid to name names, but the heart of this book was her journey through the final months of her father’s life and the lessons she learned from this immeasurable loss. Meghan does not mince words, and she isn’t afraid to tell it straight—I love this about her. But a more vulnerable, intimate side came out as she spoke about the challenges of motherhood, her struggles with severe postpartum anxiety, and the real pain that was brought on by the many public attacks on her family. I think that this book offers something for anyone, regardless of political leanings. Although Meghan does spend time discussing her thoughts on the future of America’s political landscape, most of the book focuses on her personal experiences and the lessons she has learned through grief, motherhood, and growing up in the public eye. I intentionally did not speed up this book on Audible because I wanted to soak up every word (which for me is a big deal—ha!). Meghan McCain has not often shared much about her personal life, but in this memoir she did not hold back and I enjoyed every minute.

[Ashley · Rating 3 out of 5]

I saw this book at Books a Million and something about the title resonated with me. While I have never counted myself as a Republican, being the odd (wo)man out in a conservative family has been my existence since I started forming my own opinions. Seeing the daughter of a prominent Republican candidate refer to herself as bad at it? I needed to check it out.

While I don't agree with all the opinions in the book, I think that the author made some sticking points about the problems we are currently going through regarding how people treat one another and it was incredibly refreshing to hear someone talking positively about people she doesn't agree with politically-- inclusive of Hillary Clinton, Joe Biden, and Barrack Obama. Overall, McCain seems not concerned about making everyone agree with her. She's encouraging more conversation, discussion, and more challenging of views which is healthy in every direction.

For the actual structure in the book, it read more like a collection of essays rather than a consistent memoir that flows perfectly chronologically. It certainly worked, but listening made it feel a little more jarring than I'd like. Overall, a pretty good read.

[Elizabeth Ziegenfus · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was drawn to this book by its title which made me laugh. I didn't know much about Meghan. I figured it would be a straightforward memoir beginning in childhood and moving up to present day. While that was not the narrative arc, straightforward is definitely a good way to describe Meghan and I appreciated her candor. Meghan focuses on three major topics -- the death of her father, the birth of her child, and her time at the View. I've never watched The View. Yes, I live under a rock. I don't watch cable television and I don't have a Facebook page lol. Yet Meghan's retelling of her father's death and also the birth of her child moved me to tears at points. Her perspective on these seminal events in our lives was raw and profound and worth listening to regardless of your political persuasion. Her experience has made her a fierce advocate for mothers. She writes that now, when she sees a new mom, she wants to say, How are you doing? And how can I help? I was impressed with how she has matured through both the loss of her father and the experience of motherhood. Yet, she is still an outspoken maverick. I think her dad would be proud.

[Lacy Hawkins · Rating 3 out of 5]

I needed to kill a credit on audible so I picked something that was only available on audible. I hoped this book would be about politics but it was mostly Meghan complaining about how bad her life has been (she had a miscarriage, a tough pregnancy, her father died from cancer, everyone everywhere is mean to her, especially liberals.) I appreciated her perspective on John McCain and I agree with some of her views on politics (how Trump came to power, the mistreatment of women in politics, the lack of civil discourse in America today) but I eye-rolled the number of times she affirmed how tough and thick-skinned she is in the middle of a discussion about how badly this person or that hurt her feelings. It wasn't all unreasonable, it just didn't fit the title of the book. The parts about her lack of a political home with the modern Republican party were interesting as were the candid family stories about John McCain. I was a little bored with all of the sections having to do with The View (which I don't watch or care for) but share a lot of her frustrations with the MAGA movement. The audiobook is read by her and includes audio clips from her father, both of which I liked

[Ellen Switzer · Rating 2 out of 5]

A bit of a tough one to read. I ache for her in all the brutal treatment she has received - whether that be from The View, Trump, or perpetuated by those on her own chosen party. What I found difficult though is there were so many contradictions. So much of what she discussed as being important to her didn’t really line up with the people and politicians she’s promoted. Even down to her own language, she discusses how strong women (and especially moms) are and how they need to be seen as equal to men but then uses the words like “ballsy” to describe authority and power 🥴. That’s a light example obviously but it seems that there are deep issues she faces in what and where she wants to categorize herself (which is kind of the point of the book). I wanted to read this book because I never want to explore just “one side”. I’m glad I read it and at times I trully enjoyed it but frustration was high a lot of the time.

Sorry for the very poor quality book cover photo. I listened to the audiobook and was never able to get the physical copy and this was the best image.

[Mars Cheung · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had been researching John McCain and had become an admirer of his after reading several of his books. His daughter Meghan had published a book before that I enjoyed taking in, but the read-over wasn't all that great in that she read at such a fast pace that it didn't make for an easy listen. This audiobook didn't have that problem in that the read was paced much more evenly.

Meghan describes the loss of her father, her decision to leave The View, the birth of her daughter and the lead up and aftermath of the 2020 election. I'm not sure she'd use the term but I enjoyed her take as being someone who was more centrist then someone who lined up 100% on her side of the aisle. I'd love to hear her converse with someone on a podcast who is her equivalent as a centrist but on the other side. Very much worth a listen no matter where you sit on the political spectrum.

[Foxglow · Rating 4 out of 5]

I heard a clip on Facebook that I found intriguing. So I decided to read the book. While I disagree with many of McCain's viewpoints, there is much more common ground .

Her views on how we treat new mothers, especially the poor; and the way that we treat people who disagree with us are spot on.

Her response to losing her father, was mine at my mother's passing. We share a dislike of Trump.

I listened to the audio book. oShe reads it herself. I love that, because you can better tell where the emphasis in her viewpoints resides than can be inferred from just reading the words written.

She is correct in her assertion that, if we ate going to heal our country,, we need to come back to a conversation about our differences, instead of simply writing people off.

[Burgandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book. Maghan is more moderate than most individuals. That being said I agree to disagree with her on a few things.

I don't understand her being so mortified by January 6th but just being upset with all the writing and other stuff that was going on through the year of 2020. The people of January 6th and it just be charged as terrorism if we're going to let everybody else go that led it be in burnt down cities if anything I feel that they are more terrorism than not. I'm not condoning what happened on January 6th but you can't keep just taking and not expect somebody to fight back.

I actually didn't know much about what went on with Trump and her father it was good to hear somebody else's perspective on some of the situations.

[Dolores · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book covers a lot of ground, from her childhood to motherhood. Candid without being saccharine sweet, she addresses various parts of her public & private lives. The story of her daughter's birth & all that went along with it resonated with me. My son is an adult & I am genuinely sad that new mothers are still treated so poorly. Love her or hate her, under her tenure "The View" become much more politically relevant. And for that she was continually diminished, admonished, & resented. I saw it, but hearing her back story about her anxieties regarding safety, covid, & her pregnancy/daughter fills in more details. ABC didn't offer paid maternity leave...digest that one. Yes, her salary was high, but don't pretend that your network has any interest in supporting or advancing women.

[Kathi]

The Introduction and first chapter were good and marginally good. Chapters 2-7 were downright boring. Chapters 8 to the end were better. I am pretty much in alignment with her few political views expressed although 12 weeks paid maternity leave is asking too much for small businesses. I blame myself in part for not really liking this audiobook because I failed to read the description before ordering it, so my expectations were different than what was presented.

[Sylvia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I watched The View every day while I was on maternity leave (and even recorded it for a while after I went back to work) specifically to hear Meghan’s perspective and try to understand the other side. I don’t agree with her on everything but I love and respect her. I laughed, I cried and I enjoyed the spilled tea. It met all expectations and was a great read!

[Emmy D. Wells · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't fall on one political side or the other. I try to take what I like and agree with from both sides. There were a few things here and there that made me cringe (Simply because I didn't agree. Not because they were horrible.), but overall, it was an enlightening listen. I enjoyed it and I understand both Meghan and her father much better.

[Erika · Rating 5 out of 5]

I listened to the Audible version narrated by Meghan herself and it was such an engaging book. I sure there are so many people on the right and left right now in politics not happy she was so brutally honest. One part that I connected the most with her was when she stated her generation of mothers would rather make less money and not work so much.