I finished Mitt Romney's No Apology: Believe in America. In this post, I'll highlight some things that Romney says on page 323, in the Acknowledgments.
"Ann
and my family always began conversations about the book by saying that
they really enjoyed it, but then suggested some important
revisions----they have learned that 'a spoonful of sugar makes the
medicine go down.'... Bob White, my career-long wingman, sent me several
pages of notes, all designed to help keep me from flying into a
mountain. Hugh Hewitt, whom I had met when he interviewed me about my
2008 prospects, offered helpful language, edits, and perspective,
undoubtedly gleaned from his listening experiences as a prominent
talk-show host. The aptly named Jim Talent, former U.S. Senator from
Missouri, kindly contributed policy thinking and insights, as he has
done for me many times before. Eric Fehrnstrom, my press and
communications professional for seven years, made sure that what I wrote
accurately reflected what I actually wanted to say. And Beth Myers, my
chief of staff when I served as governor and my campaign manager in
2008, read and reread what I wrote, reminding me of relevant experiences
to relate, tightening my writing, and providing key insights. She made
the book happen."
Writing can be a bear. There's the challenge
of trying to put into words the muddled thoughts in my mind, without
saying something that can be misconstrued as offensive. There's also
the challenge of trying to be readable----not only in the sense of being
understood by the readers, but also in the sense of readers actually
wanting to read what I write. And there's the challenge of
organization----of not flying into a mountain, as Romney puts it, for
writing can lead to all sorts of places that you did not expect, and
perhaps didn't want to go. On many occasions when I have blogged and
written papers, I find myself on some writing-tangent wondering, "How
did I get here in writing this, and how can I write my way out of this
pit?"
I don't know how so many people on the Internet can write
such letter-perfect comments and blog posts. Often, to be honest, I
decide not to comment on posts, for I can't figure out how to put into
words what I want to say. It ain't easy! Consequently, I can identify
with what Romney says in his acknowledgments: he needed help in making
his language tighter, in making his book readable and entertaining, in
making his book more organized, and in showing that he knew what he was
talking about when it came to policy.
Did he succeed in his
goals? Overall, I'd say "yes". I was initially reluctant to read this
book, since I had already read a lot of books by Republican Presidential
candidates, but I am glad that I did. I appreciated how Romney looked
into various angles as he talked about policy, critiquing both the left
and also elements of the right. This book is really heavy-duty on
policy, and I was actually more impressed by Romney in this book than I
have been by Newt's numerous books about policy. But the book also has a
light-hearted side, as Romney intersperses humor, self-deprecation, and
anecdotes. I especially liked Romney's story about how he was a
garbage man for a day when he was governor of Massachusetts, and he
flubbed up the job by releasing garbage onto the street!
In terms
of the book's weaknesses, I felt that Romney could have done a better
job in detailing how creative destruction results in a higher standard
of living for most Americans (assuming that he's even correct that it
does so). Moreover, the chest-thumping nationalism got on my nerves a
few times, even though I appreciated his stories about Americans helping
one another.
Good book!