Book Review: Going Rogue

I was pleasantly surprised when Sarah Palin’s book Going Rouge: an American Life was found under the Christmas tree this year. It was a great choice, considering how much I like her, and it kept my interest to the very end.

It was nice to finally have a better understanding of this attractive, charismatic, former Governor of Alaska. Her passion for her home state shines through the pages. The beauty and respect for the treasure of the Alaskan wilderness is very clear. Her daughter, Bristol, was named after Bristol Bay where Todd Palin's family started a commercial fishing business in Dillingham. Sarah’s fierce independence, an Alaskan characteristic, and found among the Yupik Alaskan Eskimos of which Todd Palin is a part, was another revelation to me.

At their home in Wasilla, on Lake Lucille, Todd and Sarah Palin raised their 5 children. Her rise from ‘soccer mom’ to PTA to City Council to Mayor, showed how she could use common sense to reduce the size of government. Next stop was her appointment as Chairman of the Alaska Oil and Gas Conservation Commission (AOGCC). Here she learned the ins and outs of the oil and energy resources of the state. During this time she witnessed corruption in government which eventually ended in indictments. Next she challenged the Republican establishment and became Alaska’s Governor in 2007. During her first year they completed the gas pipeline, a project that had been on hold for over 30 years.

A major theme throughout the book is Palin's desire to unlock Alaska’s oil reserves to ensure American prosperity and oil independence through jobs and improved security.

Another fascinating and enlightening aspect of the book was the behind the scenes look at the 2008 McCain – Palin campaign. Though McCain is labeled a ‘maverick’, Palin gives the direct impression that his campaign staff did not appreciate any variance “off script”. Disagreement on policy or procedure eventually led campaign staff to describe her as “going rogue”. Palin’s disappointment that the campaign gave up too easily toward the end of the race is very clear.

Following the election, her opponents refused to give up digging for chances to trip her up, slow her down and bury her in false ethics charges and red tape, which eventually led to her resignation as Governor. But as her father said…”Sarah’s not retreating, she is reloading”. Always a fighter, she hasn’t stopped calling the current President to account. If you would like a better understanding of Sarah Palin, read this book. It is well worth your time.