📖 Overview
Joe Scarborough is an American television host, political commentator, and former congressman who currently co-hosts MSNBC's "Morning Joe" alongside Mika Brzezinski. His political career began as a Republican U.S. Representative from Florida's 1st district, serving from 1995 to 2001.
After leaving Congress, Scarborough transitioned to media, hosting the MSNBC show "Scarborough Country" before launching "Morning Joe" in 2007. He has authored several books examining American politics and leadership, including "Rome Wasn't Burnt in a Day" and "The Last Best Hope."
A graduate of the University of Alabama and the University of Florida College of Law, Scarborough practiced law before entering politics. He made headlines in 2017 when he publicly left the Republican Party to become an Independent, citing disagreements with the party's direction under Donald Trump.
Scarborough continues to be a prominent voice in political discourse through his daily television presence and written commentary in various publications, including The Washington Post. His work often focuses on analyzing current political events and providing historical context for contemporary issues.
👀 Reviews
Reader reviews of Joe Scarborough's books reflect his polarizing media presence. His political books average 3.5/5 stars on Amazon and 3.7/5 on Goodreads across all titles.
Readers praised:
- Clear writing style and accessibility of complex political topics
- Personal anecdotes from his time in Congress
- Historical research and citations
- Balanced criticism of both political parties
Common criticisms:
- Repetitive points and arguments
- Too much focus on personal opinions rather than analysis
- Writing feels rushed and unpolished
- Same content found in his TV segments
One Amazon reviewer noted: "He makes valid points but beats them to death over 300 pages." A Goodreads user wrote: "Interesting insider perspective but needs more depth beyond MSNBC talking points."
His 2021 book "Saving Freedom" received the strongest reviews (4.1/5 Amazon), while "The Last Best Hope" (2009) scored lowest (2.9/5) with readers citing dated political commentary.
📚 Books by Joe Scarborough
Saving Freedom: Truman, the Cold War, and the Fight for Western Civilization (2020)
A historical account examining how President Harry Truman and Congress worked together in 1947 to counter Soviet aggression through the Truman Doctrine.
The Last Best Hope: Restoring Conservatism and America's Promise (2009) An analysis of the Republican Party's challenges and proposed solutions for reforming conservative politics in America.
Rome Wasn't Burnt in a Day: The Real Deal on How Politicians, Bureaucrats, and Other Washington Barbarians are Bankrupting America (2005) A critique of government spending and fiscal policies based on Scarborough's experiences in Congress.
The Right Path: From Ike to Reagan, How Republicans Once Mastered Politics--and Can Again (2013) A historical examination of Republican Party leadership from Eisenhower through Reagan, analyzing successful conservative governance.
The Last Best Hope: Restoring Conservatism and America's Promise (2009) An analysis of the Republican Party's challenges and proposed solutions for reforming conservative politics in America.
Rome Wasn't Burnt in a Day: The Real Deal on How Politicians, Bureaucrats, and Other Washington Barbarians are Bankrupting America (2005) A critique of government spending and fiscal policies based on Scarborough's experiences in Congress.
The Right Path: From Ike to Reagan, How Republicans Once Mastered Politics--and Can Again (2013) A historical examination of Republican Party leadership from Eisenhower through Reagan, analyzing successful conservative governance.
👥 Similar authors
Chris Matthews
A former congressman turned political commentator who wrote extensively about American politics and presidential history. His background as both a political insider and media figure mirrors Scarborough's career path and perspective on Washington politics.
David Brooks Writes about American politics and culture with a focus on societal shifts and political realignment. His work analyzing changes in the Republican Party and broader political landscape shares common ground with Scarborough's political commentary.
Chuck Todd Provides detailed analysis of electoral politics and insider perspectives on Washington dynamics. His books examine political institutions and partisan evolution in ways that parallel Scarborough's focus on systemic political change.
Jon Meacham Chronicles American political history with emphasis on presidential leadership and political movements. His historical framework for understanding contemporary politics aligns with Scarborough's approach to contextualizing current events.
George Will Offers commentary on conservatism and American political institutions from a traditionalist perspective. His evolution away from party orthodoxy while maintaining focus on constitutional principles reflects elements of Scarborough's political journey.
David Brooks Writes about American politics and culture with a focus on societal shifts and political realignment. His work analyzing changes in the Republican Party and broader political landscape shares common ground with Scarborough's political commentary.
Chuck Todd Provides detailed analysis of electoral politics and insider perspectives on Washington dynamics. His books examine political institutions and partisan evolution in ways that parallel Scarborough's focus on systemic political change.
Jon Meacham Chronicles American political history with emphasis on presidential leadership and political movements. His historical framework for understanding contemporary politics aligns with Scarborough's approach to contextualizing current events.
George Will Offers commentary on conservatism and American political institutions from a traditionalist perspective. His evolution away from party orthodoxy while maintaining focus on constitutional principles reflects elements of Scarborough's political journey.