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Title details for The Speechwriter by Barton Swaim - Available

The Speechwriter

A Brief Education in Politics

by Barton Swaim
Jonathan Yen
Audiobook
1 of 1 copy available
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1 of 1 copy available
Everyone knows this kind of politician: a charismatic maverick who goes up against the system and its ways, but thinks he doesn't have to live by the rules. Using his experience as a speechwriter, Barton Swaim tells the story of a band of believers who attach themselves to this sort of ambitious narcissist—what makes them invest in these leaders, how these leaders do provide moments of inspiration, and then how they let them down.


The Speechwriter is a funny and candid introduction to the world of politics, where press statements are purposefully nonsensical, grammatical errors are intentional, and better copy means more words. Through his three years in the office of a controversial governor, Swaim paints a portrait of a man so principled he'd rather sweat than use state money to pay for air conditioning, so oblivious he'd wear the same stained shirt for two weeks, so egotistical he'd belittle his staffers to make himself feel better, and so self-absorbed he never once apologized to his staff for making his administration the laughing stock of the country. On the surface, this is the story of South Carolina governor Mark Sanford's rise and fall. But in the end, it's an account of the very human staffers who go into politics out of conviction and learn to survive a broken heart.

  • Creators

  • Publisher

  • Release date

    July 14, 2015

  • Formats

    • OverDrive Listen audiobook

      • ISBN: 9781494594350
      • File size: 170371 KB
      • Duration: 05:54:56

  • Languages

    • English

  • Reviews

    • AudioFile Magazine
      Swaim served four years as a communications officer and speechwriter for former South Carolina Governor Mark Sanford, who famously left the state for several days to visit his Argentinian girlfriend without anyone's knowledge--including his wife's. Here Swain offers a memoir that is also an ever-so-lightly disguised seriocomic treatment of the wild world of contemporary political officeholders and their dedicated and often-abused staffs. Jonathan Yen's steady narration is clear, thoughtful, and engaging. Surprisingly, his low-key attempt at a Southern accent works well. The combination of charismatic megalomania and potential ethical abuses presented by Swain makes this memoir informative and, at turns, nauseating. Listen to this tapestry of public life with some caution. W.A.G. © AudioFile 2015, Portland, Maine
    • Publisher's Weekly

      April 20, 2015
      Swaim, a writer for the Wall Street Journal and Times Literary Supplement, cut his political teeth as speechwriter for former South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford. The reflections here follow Swain’s work from 2007 to June 2009, when Sanford, who is today a state congressman, notoriously went AWOL with his Argentine girlfriend. This event became a media sensation and shortly led to widespread censure. Much of the book is an entertaining inside look at state politics and how the wheels of executive office grind. The book’s best passages explore the appeal of charismatic, earnest, and morally challenged souls like Sanford, who invariably devastate their true-believing but self-interested, in-on-the-game handlers and operatives through disastrous public exposure. Demonstrating empathy mixed with appropriate caution, Swaim reflects on how politicians can be corrupted by “the praise, the fawning, the seriousness with which people take their remarks, the gaze of audiences, the way a crowded room falls silent when they enter.” His report on his experiences as a governor’s idea man is a fine, sometimes brilliant foray into the nature of contemporary politics, the charismatic narcissists who seek high elected office, and the enablers who allow them to dance in the spotlight.

    • Publisher's Weekly

      August 31, 2015
      Swaim recounts numerous anecdotes from a three-year stint as a speech writer for former South Carolina governor Mark Sanford. Much of the book is an entertaining inside look at state politics and how the wheels of executive office grind. Many of the stories relate the thankless dedication of the staff in contrast with the ego-enlarged antics of politicians. Reader Yen solidly projects with his deep and commanding voice, which maintains the listener’s attention. He moves through the narration at a steady pace, only becoming more deliberate when it fits within a given anecdote. Unfortunately, Yen fails to capture the light and humorous tone Swaim takes when relaying the ridiculousness of his work. As a result Yen’s attitude in the narration comes across as self-righteous, making Swaim seem just as petty as his boss. A Simon & Schuster hardcover.

Formats

  • OverDrive Listen audiobook

subjects

Languages

  • English

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