Going Rogue, a review - Part I

I have just recently finished reading Sarah Palin's Going Rogue: An American Life.

And while I am certainly not at a loss for words, this book altered my perception of a woman so ridiculed in today's modern media, I find it hard to add my own opinion to the myriad of reviews. I will merely offer up that Sarah Palin surprised me, delighted me, and pulled quite a few tears. All within 413 pages.

Here are some of my favorite moments and a few thoughts.

In her first tellings of growing up in Alaska and life within the sports & outdoor-obsessed frontier family having evolution discusssions at the dinner table, Governor Palin is as reflective as she is narrative.

"Eventually, though, I realized that the road, and especially marathon training, holds invaluable life lessons. That to reach your goal you have to put in the tough, drudging miles. That the best rewards often lie on the other side of pain. And that when it seems you can't take another step forward, there is a hidden reservoir of strength you can draw on to endure and finish well" (27).

Simply stated, and likely oft-recognized within one's own heart on any of life's many paths- but rarely so elloquently described.

This is a woman who boldly states, "Everything I ever needed to know, I learned on the basketball court" (41). I love this and find truth in it, a county-league basketball player in my own youth.

Her wedding at a courthouse was witnessed by a few folks from the retirement home across the street and they topped it off with a Wendy's meal- hopefully including a Frosty! That is my idea of low-key. Perfect.

The beginning snipets provide an interesting take on her upbringing, early political views, and a personal glance at the state of Alaska which most of us in the "Lower 48" know little about. But perhaps what I enjoy most out of this book are the prayers she openly shares. This one, after a children's book inspired her:

"I wrote a contemplative prayer in my journal that summer that I recently came across. I had written: 'Let me not become disconnected from You, Lord. Like that red kite, let there be a connecting string between You and me, so that I can fly high and safe as You've created all people to do. With that string, I'll go where You want me to go. I'll be what You want me to be. Thank You for Your grace.' " (83)

Metaphorical, or some may say cheesy, I feel she is nothing short of Genuine.


to be continued...