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Speech-less: Tales of a White House Survivor Audiobook
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(3.04) - 246 listener ratings
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From a top speechwriter to President George W. Bush and Donald Rumsfeld, this may be the most candid memoir ever written about official Washington–a laugh-out-loud cri de coeur that shows what can happen to idealism in a town driven by self-interest. Matt chronicles his descent into Washington, D.C., hell, as he snares a series of unsatisfying jobs with powerful figures on Capitol Hill. One boss can’t remember basic facts. Another appears to hide from his own staff. When Fate offers Matt a job as chief speechwriter for Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld and Matt finds he actually admires the man, his passion is renewed. But Rummy soon becomes a piñata for the press, and the Department of Defense is revealed as alarmingly dysfunctional. Eventually, Matt lands at the White House, his heart aflutter with the hope that he can fulfill his dream of penning words that will become part of history. But reality intrudes once again. More like The Office than The West Wing, the nation’s most storied office building is a place where the staffers who run the country are in way over their heads, and almost everything the public has been told about the major players–Bush, Cheney, Rice, Rumsfeld, Rove–is wrong. Both a rare behind-the-scenes account that boldly names the fools and scoundrels, and a poignant lament for the principled conservatism that disappeared during the Bush presidency, Speech-less will forever change the public’s view of our nation’s capital and the people who joust daily for its power.
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"Interesting book about small town boy going to Washington DC. Different jobs along the way-I enjoyed his time in Congress...he is pretty frank about some of the senators. Ended up as a speech writer for Bush in the White House. He is a fun author to read if you like sarcasm and I do. Although, it might have made me just a tad bit more cynical than I was. But his sarcasm is not just across the board-there are some he respects and reveals those, too."
— Mary (4 out of 5 stars)
Speech-less Listener Reviews
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" This book made me happy because I was always secretly afraid that only the Democratic caucus acted like this. Enlightening but depressing. Worth the price if only for the description of W. preparing for the bank bailout speech. "
— ABenander, 2/20/2014 -
" Very entertaining read. As a fellow Michigander who lived in Nick Smith's old district for a few years, I enjoyed the musings on Smith, Spence Abraham, et al. Curious, though, as to why Latimer, who presents himself as a bit of an idealist, has no comment about Ron Paul's contribution to the 2008 presidential election cycle. "
— Sam, 2/18/2014 -
" I'm no conservative, and I picked up this book to confirm my prejudices about the Bush Administration. I found this book to be surprisingly riveting, well-written and astute. I would recommend it to anyone of whatever political stripe, as a behind-the-scenes look at how government works (probably all governments). "
— Seligne, 2/6/2014 -
" READ 1/3 OF THIS. Didn't know most of the characters he was referring to in the campaign... "
— Debi, 1/23/2014 -
" Some entertaining anecdotes, but not really worth the time. "
— Chris, 1/16/2014 -
" Most books written by political insiders take the form of either a hit piece on their colleagues or a fawning love note to them, but this is surprisingly subdued and nonjudgmental. Latimer's writing is good, but I expected a sharper wit from a professional speechwriter. I'd give it a B-. "
— Noah, 1/11/2014 -
" This is the best staff memoir I have ever read. Unbelievably funny. "
— Tim, 1/10/2014 -
" Excellent book; more honest than I expected. Not typical of a White House book. No real a*s kissing. "
— John, 1/7/2014 -
" good look inside the life of a speech writer. interesting look at the last years of the GW Bush administration. Wonderful writing! "
— Kath, 1/4/2014 -
" Despite the fact that the author's favorite politicians are the really heartless frightening conservatives, I enjoyed it and would recommend it. Especially since the author ended his political career by writing it so he needs all the help that he can get with his writing career. "
— Todd, 12/4/2013 -
" This book tries so hard to be funny but it just comes out smug. "
— Mel, 11/19/2013 -
" A glimpse inside the dysfunction of gov't in general, last administration in particular... "
— Tobias, 8/27/2013 -
" It was good at showing how stupid government really is. "
— Grace, 8/13/2013 -
" I have never read an "insider" book before, so it was verrrrry enlightening. I will have to read more like it. Well, maybe I'd better not as it is so darn depressing to see the state of our leadership! "
— Jacky, 4/16/2013 -
" Funny, enlightening, quick easy read... Just wish Latimer had gotten into the Ron Paul Revolution :) "
— Kerri, 1/16/2013 -
" fun anecdotes, and really great way to learn some names/stories of people recently and even currently running the show! wish it was a little more positive, but i guess that's just the experience the author had. "
— Noel, 7/30/2012 -
" Easy-going and witty and a bit scary "
— Rachael, 5/30/2012 -
" Interesting to me more for the tales of how a political speech gets written than how much political dirt was dished. "
— Jeremy, 1/15/2012 -
" Just started it and am already hooked. The author is exactly the same age as me, has many of the same memories of the 70s & 80s that I do (he only grew up a 2 hour drive from me) and remembers Ronald Regan with affection. More later. "
— David, 12/25/2011 -
" Very enjoyable, quick read by a former Rumsfeld and Bush speechwriter. Author has a quick wit and discerning eye for BS, which he seems to be able to separate from his dewy-eyed appreciation for Reaganesque conservatism. "
— Karen, 6/28/2011 -
" Interesting look inside the Bush White House but a bit self indulgent. "
— Deirdre, 5/16/2011 -
" Most books written by political insiders take the form of either a hit piece on their colleagues or a fawning love note to them, but this is surprisingly subdued and nonjudgmental. Latimer's writing is good, but I expected a sharper wit from a professional speechwriter. I'd give it a B-. "
— Noah, 2/7/2011 -
" This book tries so hard to be funny but it just comes out smug. "
— Mel, 1/5/2011 -
" The first 100 pages were very engaging and funny. Then it became more polemical, though I understand that if one is talking about the Iraq War, opportunities to be engaging and funny are limited. Still, I felt that I was reading a different book by pg. 150, so I stopped. "
— Dave, 9/15/2010 -
" good look inside the life of a speech writer. interesting look at the last years of the GW Bush administration. Wonderful writing! "
— Kath, 4/5/2010 -
" I have never read an "insider" book before, so it was verrrrry enlightening. I will have to read more like it. Well, maybe I'd better not as it is so darn depressing to see the state of our leadership! "
— Jacky, 3/31/2010 -
" This book made me happy because I was always secretly afraid that only the Democratic caucus acted like this. Enlightening but depressing. Worth the price if only for the description of W. preparing for the bank bailout speech. "
— ABenander, 3/13/2010
About Lincoln Hoppe
Lincoln Hoppe is an accomplished actor of stage and screen with several films, plays, television shows, and numerous audiobooks to his credit. His audiobook narrations have earned him nine AudioFile Earphones Awards. His diverse voice characterizations can be heard on animated films, video games, and commercials across the globe. He is a member of the Lost Angeles Comedy Sportz Improv Company.