Let Me Finish: Trump, the Kushners, Bannon, New Jersey, and the Power of In-Your-Face Politics

Chris Christie

Non-Fiction Memoir Biography History Audiobook

Quick Take

The instant New York Times-bestselling memoir from the outspoken former governor--an "explosive" (Guardian) "must read" (Hugh Hewitt) account of Chris Christie's life in politics including his "not to miss" (Entertainment Weekly) insights into Donald Trump. After dropping out of the 2016 presidential race, Chris Christie stunned the political world by becoming the first major official to endorse Donald Trump. A friend of Trump's for fifteen years, the two-term New Jersey governor understood the future president as well as anyone in the political arena--and Christie quickly became one of Trump's most trusted advisers. Tapped with running Trump's transition team, Christie was nearly named his running mate. But within days of Trump's surprise victory over Hillary Clinton, Christie was in for his own he was being booted out. In Let Me Finish, Christie sets the record straight about his tenure as a corruption-fighting prosecutor and a Republican running a Democratic state, as well as what really happened on the 2016 campaign trail and inside Trump Tower. Christie takes readers inside the ego-driven battles for Trump's attention among figures like Steve Bannon, Corey Lewandowksi, Reince Priebus, Kellyanne Conway, Jeff Sessions, and Paul Manafort. He shows how the literal trashing of Christie's transition plan put the new administration in the hands of self-serving amateurs, all but guaranteeing the Trump presidency's shaky start. Christie also addresses hot-button issues from his own years in power, including what really went down during Bridgegate. And, for the first time, Christie tells the full story of the Kushner how, as a federal prosecutor, Christie put Jared Kushner's powerful father behind bars--a fact Trump's son-in-law makes Christie pay for later. Packed with news-making revelations and told with the kind of bluntness few politicians can match, Christie's memoir is an essential guide to understanding the Trump presidency.

Reader's Review

Book Review Summary: Let Me Finish: Trump, the Kushners, Bannon, New Jersey, and the Power of In-Your-Face Politics

Introduction

"Let Me Finish: Trump, the Kushners, Bannon, New Jersey, and the Power of In-Your-Face Politics" is a memoir by Chris Christie, the 55th Governor of New Jersey. In this book, Christie provides his perspective on Trump's campaign and presidency, as well as his own experiences as a prosecutor and a Republican governor in a Democratic state. He offers insights into the ego-driven battles for Trump's attention among key figures like Steve Bannon, Corey Lewandowksi, Reince Priebus, Kellyanne Conway, Jeff Sessions, and Paul Manafort. Christie also shares his thoughts on hot-button issues from his time in power, including Bridgegate. This book has garnered attention for its news-making revelations and Christie's bluntness, which sets it apart from other political memoirs.

About Chris Christie

Chris Christie is a former United States Attorney for New Jersey and two-term Governor of New Jersey. He was appointed by George W. Bush to serve as U.S. Attorney for New Jersey from 2002 to 2008. Christie gained national attention during his first term as governor when he led the state's response to Hurricane Sandy. He ran for the Republican nomination for President in 2016 but dropped out after a disappointing performance in the primaries. Christie later endorsed Donald Trump and became one of his most trusted advisers during the campaign and transition.

Analysis of Views

Insider Account of Trump's Campaign and Presidency: Readers appreciate Christie's insider account of Trump's campaign and presidency. They find it interesting to hear Christie's perspective on key events and his role in shaping Trump's policies.
Bluntness and Honesty: Christie is praised for his bluntness and honesty throughout the book. Readers appreciate his straightforward approach and believe that he provides a refreshing perspective on politics.
Personal Reflections on Bridgegate: Christie's account of Bridgegate, a scandal that occurred during his time as governor, is a major highlight of the book. Readers find it fascinating to learn about the events leading up to the scandal and Christie's role in it.
Insights into Trump's Character: Christie offers valuable insights into Trump's character, providing readers with a deeper understanding of the president's behavior and decision-making process. His observations on Trump's ego-driven nature and tendency to surround himself with sycophants are particularly noteworthy.
Revelations about Key Figures: Readers are intrigued by Christie's revelations about key figures in Trump's inner circle, such as Steve Bannon, Corey Lewandowksi, Reince Priebus, Kellyanne Conway, Jeff Sessions, and Paul Manafort. These insights provide a behind-the-scenes look at the power struggles within the administration.

Reasons for Recommendation

Insider Perspective: The book offers a unique perspective on Trump's campaign and presidency through Christie's eyes. Readers appreciate the insider account and find it valuable in understanding key events and decisions.
Bluntness and Honesty: Christie's bluntness and honesty make the book engaging and refreshing. Readers appreciate his straightforward approach and believe that it provides a more authentic portrayal of politics than other memoirs.
Personal Reflections: Christie's personal reflections on Bridgegate and other scandals add depth to the book. Readers find it fascinating to learn about his experiences and how they relate to larger political issues.
Insights into Trump's Character: Christie's insights into Trump's character provide readers with valuable insights into the president's behavior and decision-making process. His observations on Trump's ego-driven nature and tendency to surround himself with sycophants are particularly noteworthy.

Reasons for Not Recommendation

Lack of Surprises: Some readers find the book lacking in surprises or new information about Trump's campaign and presidency. They feel that it does not offer any significant revelations or fresh perspectives on well-known events.
Personal Bias: Some readers criticize Christie for his personal bias towards certain individuals or political figures mentioned in the book. They feel that this bias affects his objectivity and detracts from the overall quality of the memoir.

Conclusion

"Let Me Finish: Trump, the Kushners, Bannon, New Jersey, and the Power of In-Your-Face Politics" by Chris Christie is a compelling memoir that offers readers an insider's perspective on Trump's campaign and presidency. Christie's bluntness and honesty make the book engaging and refreshing, while his personal reflections on Bridgegate and other scandals add depth to the narrative. However, some readers feel that the book lacks surprises or new information and criticize Christie's personal bias towards certain individuals or political figures. Overall, those interested in understanding Trump's presidency or seeking an insider account of his campaign will find this book worth reading.