• Shortest Way Home

  • One Mayor's Challenge and a Model for America's Future
  • By: Pete Buttigieg
  • Narrated by: Pete Buttigieg
  • Length: 9 hrs and 57 mins
  • 4.8 out of 5 stars (5,085 ratings)

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Shortest Way Home  By  cover art

Shortest Way Home

By: Pete Buttigieg
Narrated by: Pete Buttigieg
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Publisher's summary

A mayor's inspirational story of a Midwest city that has become nothing less than a blueprint for the future of American renewal.

Once described by The Washington Post as "the most interesting mayor you've never heard of", Pete Buttigieg, the 36-year-old Democratic mayor of South Bend, Indiana, has improbably emerged as one of the nation's most visionary politicians. First elected in 2011, Buttigieg left a successful business career to move back to his hometown, previously tagged by Newsweek as a "dying city", because the industrial Midwest beckoned as a challenge to the McKinsey-trained Harvard graduate. Whether meeting with city residents on middle-school basketball courts, reclaiming abandoned houses, confronting gun violence, or attracting high-tech industry, Buttigieg has transformed South Bend into a shining model of urban reinvention.

While Washington reels with scandal, Shortest Way Home interweaves two once unthinkable success stories: that of an Afghanistan veteran who came out and found love and acceptance, all while in office, and that of a Rust Belt city so thoroughly transformed that it shatters the way we view America's so-called flyover country.

©2019 Pete Buttigieg (P)2019 HighBridge, a division of Recorded Books

Featured Article: 55+ Quotes for Whenever You Need a Little Encouragement


We all have bad days and dry spells. We all experience moments of disappointment, sadness, and self-doubt. And occasionally, we all need an encouraging word—or several—to lift our spirits, boost our confidence, and fill us with hope. Straight from the works of best-selling and widely admired authors, here's a collection of positive and reassuring words you can turn to anytime you're in need of support.

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What listeners say about Shortest Way Home

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Reveals a Person Wise & Experienced & Literate

I have been reading books and papers written by current candidates running for President. I am a lifelong Democrat be side I care deeply about the U.S. Constitution and the diversity that is America. I had candidates that interested me before seeing how many candidates there are runnjng. I like Kamala Harris, Cory Booker and Julian Castro.

I knew nothing about Pete Buttigieg except that he was Mayor of South Bend. When you say Indiana to me, I think of Pence and Notre Dame, neither being favorites of mine. I saw Buttigieg interviewed on CNN and other TV appearances such as Late Night with Steven Colbert. I was impressed. I wanted to know more about him. I saw he had authored a book about his life. It was on Audible and he was the narrator of his own story.

Pete Buttigieg is experienced beyond his actual years. He speaks Arabic and other languages. He is veteran being serviced in the Middle East. He is a Rhodes Scholar. He has worked analyzing data for the private sector traveling all over the world. He is Mayor of a complicated city in midwest. He is a person who truly knows words and understands their weight.

I am intrigued by Pete Buttigieg. I want everyone to read/listen to his book. Know about him before you decide. I know the majority of candidates will be on the sidelines within the year. I hope Pete Buttigieg is still a viable candidate as I feel he has an important voice in this election.

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83 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

AWESOME! 5 Star book!!!

This book was way out of my usual reading zone, so I was skeptical when I got the sample. But after hearing the sample on Audible, I quickly bought it. Truthfully, it is a great book! Pete reminds me of a young JFK. I don't say that lightly. The easy way he has of communication in difficult situations and remarkable intelligence for someone so young is stunning! I mean his name, Pete Buttigieg, is one you are going to hear for many years to come in American stage of politics! I encourage you to sample this book and I am sure you will be intrigued to listen some more. It is easy to really delve into his world, and get to know this up and coming politician. 5 Star Book!

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77 people found this helpful

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  • E
  • 05-06-19

This book gives hope for the future

I enjoyed meeting Pete through this book and his narration. At 60+ years old, I did not expect to be impressed by him, but surprisingly I found his story and work to be important information as I ponder the upcoming 2020 presidential election. In the book, he came across as authentic and very different from other political hopefuls. I don't know if he can get to the presidency, but he did give me hope for a better future.

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32 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars

such an amazing story! very articulate story.

such an amazing and articulate story. Pete is earnest and hopeful for progressive idealists everywhere.

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29 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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The Future We Can Elect Today

Powerful. A message the country needs to hear. Listening to his journey so far makes me even more excited to see where his campaign takes him. Kudos to Chasten for letting the rest of the country take a peek into an inspiring message about the strength of community, love and commitment.

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26 people found this helpful

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Pete for Preident

This was a thoughtful book about values. Mayor Pete understands how to talk about values. He deserves a closer look. Democrats pay attention.

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25 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Important, Intelligent, and Personal

The Shortest Way Home restores hope in people, political leadership, and the future of our world. Any community, state, or nation of people would be fortunate to have the kind of thoughtful, reflective human represented in these pages, in positions of public service.

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22 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

This Book is a Bright Light in the present days of darkness

Mayor Pete's story is inspiring and marks the start of the next generations rise in political leadership.

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20 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

excellent perspective!

loved it. Pete does a great job narrating and painting a picture for you to imagine.

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18 people found this helpful

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Fast wonderful story read by the author

Pete is so open and genuine. You won’t regret listening to his story and that of his hometown of South Bend IN. Now a NYT best seller!! Enjoy!! Thanks-Pete!!!

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17 people found this helpful