The Real Romney

The Real Romney is a biographical account of Mitt Romney's life, career, and political journey written by Boston Globe journalist Michael Kranish. The book covers Romney's family background, his time at Bain Capital, his role leading the 2002 Winter Olympics, and his political career through his 2012 presidential campaign. Based on hundreds of interviews and extensive research, Kranish examines Romney's Mormon faith and how it shaped his worldview and decisions. The narrative follows Romney's progression from businessman to politician, including his time as Massachusetts governor and his two presidential runs. The book provides context around key moments and decisions in Romney's life, from his father George Romney's influence to the founding of Bain Capital to his evolution on various policy positions. Kranish includes perspectives from Romney's colleagues, critics, and family members. At its core, this biography explores the intersection of faith, business, and politics in modern America through the lens of one of the country's most prominent public figures. The work raises questions about authenticity in politics and the competing pressures faced by those seeking high office.

Readers describe this biography as thorough but dry, focusing heavily on Romney's business career and governorship. The book draws from over 100 interviews and presents a balanced account of Romney's life and career. Readers appreciated: - Detailed research and fact-checking - Equal coverage of successes and failures - Clear explanations of Romney's business deals at Bain - Coverage of his Mormon faith and family history Common criticisms: - Writing style lacks energy - Too much focus on business minutiae - Limited personal insights into Romney himself - Repetitive sections Ratings across platforms: Goodreads: 3.7/5 (1,200+ ratings) Amazon: 3.8/5 (200+ ratings) Several readers noted the book "tells what Romney did but not who he is." Others found it "comprehensive but impersonal." Multiple reviews praised the authors' neutral stance, with one reader noting "neither supporters nor critics will find ammunition here."

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🔹 The book reveals that Mitt Romney's father George Romney was born in a Mormon colony in Mexico, where the family had fled to avoid U.S. anti-polygamy laws. 🔹 Authors Michael Kranish and Scott Helman conducted over 400 interviews and spent nearly two years researching the book, including extensive access to Romney's friends, family members, and former colleagues. 🔹 The book details how Romney turned around the troubled 2002 Salt Lake City Olympics, transforming a $379 million budget deficit into a $100 million surplus. 🔹 While at Bain Capital, Romney initially turned down the opportunity to invest in Staples, but his partner convinced him to reconsider - the investment eventually became one of Bain's biggest successes. 🔹 The biography explains how Romney's experience with his wife Ann's multiple sclerosis diagnosis in 1998 significantly impacted his views on healthcare policy and influenced his creation of Massachusetts' healthcare reform.