The Rogue

Searching for the Real Sarah Palin

By: Joe McGinniss

Narrated by: Arthur Morey

Just in time for the kickoff of the 2012 presidential campaign, Joe McGinniss, the author of the classic account of the packaging of a presidential candidate, The Selling of the President, of the acclaimed search for the essence of Alaska, Going to Extremes, and of the bestselling study of the dark family secrets of an American patriarch, Fatal Vision, presents his already controversial investigative chronicle of Sarah Palin as an individual, politician, and cultural phenomenon.

Based on McGinniss’s on-the-ground reporting that began in late 2008 (which yielded an April 2009Conde Nast Portfolio cover story) and continued with his return to Alaska in 2010, this book is a startling and penetrating examination of the illusion and reality of Palin--and a probing look at the Alaska and the America that have produced her, and the country she feels she is destined to lead. The Rogue delves deeply into Alaska’s political and business affairs and Palin’s political, personal, and family life to chronicle how and to what extent Palin and her beliefs, attitudes, and outlook will influence and even change life in America and the perception of America abroad.

Critic reviews

“Plunging into a subject without wearing blinders is an engaging investigative method, and McGinniss, as he always manages to do, pushes the story forward in momentum while continuing to link new material with bits of information from past experiences and interviews. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.”—Seattle Post-Intelligencer

Palin Unqualified

Where does The Rogue rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

I came to this book after reading Game Change, and was looking to obtain a more complete history of Sarah Palin. I found it very informative, not surprised that Palin's chequered political career does not glean to many positives.

What did you like best about this story?

I thought it was a well researched book, given the lengths the Palin's went to obstruct the author. Seems to me America is a free country and you can live anywhere you choose.The author was lucky or unlucky to move next door to the Palin's. He was subjected to slanderous remarks veiled threats and innuendo by the Palin's who used the media to attack him. I hate bullies, I hate people who abuse their power.If the Palin's were good neighbours to begin with, the house next door would never have been rented out to the author.

Have you listened to any of Arthur Morey’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I have not listened to his other performances, I found his narration really excellent and great for this material.

If you could give The Rogue a new subtitle, what would it be?

Power in the wrong hands.

Any additional comments?

I found the book really interesting, I think that McCain has a lot to answer for, bringing this moronic, intolerant petty vindictive woman to the world stage. Ironic that its the common people who continue to support her, and billionaires who finance her to support their agenda(de-regulation, no tax increases for the rich). We can only be grateful she never became Vice President.

Finally a great summary of the hypocrisy of Sarah

Thank you Joe McGinniss for this great summary of the hypocrisy of Sarah Palin. Sarah Palin is no Christian. (Neither is any one associated with the New Apostolic Reformation)

Riveting though occasionally unfair

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes, though it will be read only by those who have a default mistrust of Palin and her role in American culture. The narration is wonderful.

If you could give The Rogue a new subtitle, what would it be?

The self-styling of a notorious and dubious American icon

Any additional comments?

The narrator does a great job mimicking the tone, sincerity, and sarcasm of the writer. I have listened to the book many times and think the writer self-effacing enough to make such pronouncements about Palin. He's careful not to "grind axes" in his take on the Palin myth and that made me much more sympathetic to his purpose.

Good book

Anytime I hear about something that puts Sarah Palin in a negative light, it's always going to get five stars from me!

How to feel dirty

Before I listened to this book, I thought Sarah Palin was an attractvie woman with a brains/integrity problem. Joe McGinniss sought out to prove me right, and having my opinion painstakingly supported has never been so creepy. If you hate Sarah Palin ( with a dollop of secondary hate for her husband and kids) or you just like sleezy gossip, this book goes all out for you. Result: the horse is definitely dead. Now what?