PositiveThe Washington PostThis is a case study in the blessings and curse of family legacy, a vivid account of how one woman’s inheritance propelled her from a tumultuous childhood to a high-profile perch in television journalism ... It is odd for a person under 40 to have already written two memoirs, but Tur has the humility to call this a \'Rough Draft\' of an autobiography. It is more provocative than Tur’s first book, about covering Trump, a conventional campaign memoir. Rough Draft is a painful read in many parts, laced with humor in others, embellished with reflections on journalism ... Tur’s memoir includes reflections on the flaws of contemporary journalism — such as cable’s contribution to the polarization of politics — but with no grand ideas for fixing it ... The book’s appeal may not reach far beyond her fans, but Tur has many and they will enjoy this fast-paced tale.
Ari Rabin-Havt
PositiveThe New York Times Book Review... engaging ... Rabin-Havt says his book’s principal goal is not to dwell on why the senator lost. Still, that question lingers over the narrative.
Michael Kazin
RaveThe Los Angeles TimesIn his sweeping account, Kazin takes a big step back to see a way forward, searching for clues to Democrats’ successes and failures over the last 200 years. It is an illuminating shift of perspective for Democrats now transfixed by internal struggles and dispirited by their grim prospects in this year’s midterm elections ... This is not a new line of argument, but Kazin provides rich historical context for a longstanding debate about Democratic priorities that today can often seem shortsighted and shallow ... Kazin brings the care of a scholar to a big subject, but he also has a storyteller’s gift for making it accessible. He paints lively portraits of standout figures ... He is upfront about his own partisan leanings ... not a cheerleading history that air-brushes the party’s dark side ... Kazin’s engaging history is a welcome turn to broader questions about the Democratic Party’s purpose and strategy, which have been overshadowed of late by Democrats’ legislative preoccupations.