Synopses & Reviews
New Jersey Governor Chris Christie has become a national Republican Party figure, famous for his blunt public statements, his willingness to confront powerful special interests, and his determination to change the ingrown, corrupt, backroom political culture of New Jersey. In just two years as governor, Christie has moved aggressively to reduce the states ballooning deficit, rein in lucrative entitlements for teacher, police, fire, and public employee unions, cut out-of-control government spending, and create jobs by reducing counterproductive business regulations. But beneath Christies combative public persona is an intensely loyal family man, whose deep roots in New Jersey shape his core values. Written by New York Times bestselling author Bob Ingle and fellow journalist Michael Symons, who have covered the governors political career for more than a decade, Chris Christie offers the first inside portrait of this fascinating man.
Drawing on interviews with Christie himself, his wife, Mary Pat, his brother, Todd, his father, Bill, his uncle Joe, and many longtime supporters as well as political opponents, Ingle and Symons trace Christies life. He grew up in New Jersey, surrounded by a big, roiling Italian-American family where his mother, Sondra, and grandmother Anne were powerful influences. Surprisingly, his political career nearly ended after a bruising loss in a local county campaign, but was revived when Christie was appointed United States Attorney for New Jersey. He soon became a feared prosecutor, and culminated an impressive string of successful cases with a multi-year investigation that resulted in the arrests of more than forty people, in one of the states most notorious examples of political corruption.
Despite calls to run for president, Christie reiterated his commitment to reforming New Jersey. Chris Christie: The Inside Story of His Rise to Power goes behind the scenes to reveal his family life, his public life, and what the future might hold.
Review
"Speculation abounds regarding Christie's political aspirations, and Ingle and Symons provide an excellent introduction to this provocative politician. "He's demanding, he's loyal, he's combative, he's entertaining, he's mouthy--but never boring." Neither is this book."--Publishers Weekly
Review
"Speculation abounds regarding Christie's political aspirations, and Ingle and Symons provide an excellent introduction to this provocative politician. "He's demanding, he's loyal, he's combative, he's entertaining, he's mouthy--but never boring." Neither is this book."--
Publishers Weekly"A thorough, exacting account of how an outspoken son of New Jersey became the hottest ticket in conservative politics." --The Hill
"Gov. Christie's ability to make the case for reform—and to defend his positions bluntly—has endeared him to GOP donors."--The Wall Street Journal
"Mr. Ingle and Mr. Symons have produced a very readable and illuminating portrait of Chris Christie that shows, whether you love him or hate him, he is a genuine article - and he is here to stay." --The Washington Times
Synopsis
A revealing, in-depth biography of the Republican party's brightest rising star: New Jersey governor Chris Christie Christopher James "Chris" Christie is the fifty-fifth and current governor of New Jersey and former U.S. Attorney for the District of New Jersey. As the chief federal law enforcement officer in the state, Christie earned praise from leaders in both parties and drew national attention for his efforts in battling political corruption, corporate crime, human trafficking, gangs, terrorism and polluters. Sworn in as governor in January 2010, he has made national news with his aggressive personality, his confrontations with teachers, firemen, police, and state employee unions, his efforts to curb New Jersey's out-of-control spending and corrupt political culture, and his showdown with the state legislature. A national figure in Repubican circles, Christie is rumored to be a future candidate for president, if not in 2012 then in 2016. This biography details the fascinating legal and political career and surrounding controversies of this truly maverick persona.
About the Author
BOB INGLE is coauthor of the New York Times Best Seller The Soprano State (St. Martins Press, 2008) which was made into a 2011 documentary film. He is an award-winning, veteran journalist, and is currently senior political columnist for Gannett New Jersey newspapers, which carry his syndicated column, Politics Patrol. His political blog is read in all fifty states and more than seventy countries and his commentary is heard by 1 million people on the Millennium Radio Network. He is part of the 101.5 FM program “The Jersey Guys," the most listened to FM afternoon drive time talk show in America. MICHAEL SYMONS is a veteran New Jersey journalist, currently News Editor for Gannett New Jerseys Statehouse bureau in Trenton. He has covered seven governors and is a respected reporter on Press Row. His blog, Capital Quickies is a must-read list of every politician and politically connected person in New Jersey and Washington, D.C. and has covered the past four political conventions. Symons did research for The Soprano State and has worked with Ingle for more than ten years.