Not My First Rodeo

Lessons from the Heartland

By: Kristi Noem

Narrated by: Kristi Noem, Charity Spencer

Length: 6 hrs and 18 mins

Publisher's summary

South Dakota governor Kristi Noem tells her rough and tumble story of growing up on a ranch, and how a blessed life of true grit taught her how to lead.

“We don’t complain about things, Kristi. We fix them.” Taking her father’s words to heart, South Dakota's first woman governor Kristi Noem shares heartfelt—and heartbreaking—lessons on making things right in the world, from her childhood on a farm in the vastness of rural America, to the marbled halls of Congress, to the national spotlight amid a global pandemic.

From humorous barnyard battles with feisty cattle and rodeo horses, to the tragic and untimely death of her larger-than-life father, to her decision to return and run the farm and ranch with her family, Noem invites listeners into a life defined by work, faith, and helping others. Noem's reflections are offered in the familiar, unvarnished voice of a woman who later defied Washington’s most powerful politicians and led the people of her small, hardscrabble state through natural disasters, the pain of a global pandemic, and the fear and turmoil that gripped the nation after.

While filled with plenty of candid observations and refreshingly frank assessments of the country's leading figures, the memoir's most powerful moments nevertheless come from honest glimpses into marriage, motherhood, and leadership in an unpredictable time.

Far from a book about politics, Not My First Rodeo is the story of a life lived so far—with characters as richly textured as the Black Hills, and reflections as gentle and powerful as America itself.

©2022 Kristi Noem (P)2022 Twelve

I love a good heartland patriot

I’m so thankful that Kristi Noem decided to write about her upbringing in South Dakota. It was so interesting. I cried with her in things she shared and smiled as a fellow patriot and constitutionalist.

What a great lady. Very presidential!

Exceptional!!! Must read and listen.

Amazing book. Loved it! Very entertaining, great narrator too. There's a lot to learn from Kristi.

A Principled Woman

Kristi Noem is thoughtful and honest in sharing her life. She shares about her life journey in a holistic way from her family, her farm, her god and her political experiences. They are not all separate, but one whole, which is difficult to find in many current political servants. Principled indeed!

Classy Leader

I don’t often write reviews but felt this book needed one. I admired Kristi before reading her book and now after reading this feel that she is a Classy And Strong Leader with great family values.

If you are listening to it on audible, then you will be pleased to know the narrator’s voice is pleasant and easy to listen to.

I am not a SD resident but do visit her state often! I love her state!

incredible! moving! patriotic!

loved it! our country needs more leaders like Governor Noem!!! please write more inspirational, patriotic chapters!

Next Promotion: V-P?

Very very Inspiring.

I hope Kristi Noem & family get to spend a few years residing at the Residence at the Naval Observatory in Washington, DC!

She's got my backing all the way!

I'll be honest, I did not vote for her in her first term. I also was disgusted by her driving record & unfortunately, fell into the abyss regarding that instead of looking at policy. What a mistake. I'm SO glad that SoDak voters saw past that & have convinced me she was the right choice. She has handled so many issues beyond expectations and she HAS my vote for her re-election for sure! A true farm girl, patriot, and powerful woman who has held the Governor's position with incredible grace and honor. Proud to be a South Dakotan and thank you for your service, Kristi Noem!

I loved it!

I love a good, positive, uplifting story, about the life of a person I admire, that reveals how their mind works and the people and events that influenced and informed their unique perspective. I found many similarities between Ms. Noem and myself, even though our lives have taken very different courses. By weaving this thread of struggles and successes throughout the book, Ms. Noem encouraged my own soul and revived in me some of the foundational ideas that used to drive my sense of purpose but have been difficult to access for awhile.

In this time of continual gaslighting and doublespeak in American public life, it's refreshing to know there are still people out there, even people in government, who value the same traditional principles and ideals that guided our common pursuit of life, liberty and happiness for so long, and are steadfast and resolved in their mission to fight for those things as long as they are able. Thank you, Kristi, for being one of those people, for not backing down, and then for sharing your wisdom (and your humor), in this book to encourage folks like me to stay the course and remember there are still many things in this life worth waking up and fighting for.

This book pushed me to dig deep for the things that have meaning in my own life and reminded me to stand firm, to not allow my losses and failures to define me, to never stop learning about myself and this amazing nation I am blessed to call my home, and to use what I learn, both good and bad, to love and bless those around me. It has restored some of my confidence, sparked renewed enthusiasm for my roles as wife, mother, friend, daughter and U.S. citizen, and encouraged my heart in ways I can't even describe.

Loved the interesting book.

The story kept me interested. The Governor’s story is complex and meaningful. She is certainly equipped to lead.

Perfection!

This is exactly what every American needs to read. There is good in America.
“We are burning daylight!”