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Giuliani

The Rise and Tragic Fall of America's Mayor

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About this listen

 A New Yorker Best Book of the Year

What happened to Rudy Giuliani?

Andrew Kirtzman, who has been following Giuliani since the 1990s, answers that question in this “masterful and engrossing” (The Guardian) biography that “cuts through the myth and caricature that has too often defined Giuliani” (Los Angeles Times).

Rudy Giuliani was hailed after 9/11 as “America’s Mayor,” a national hero who, at the time, was more widely admired than the pope. He was brilliant, accomplished—and complicated. He conflated politics with morality, made reckless personal choices, and engaged in self-destructive behavior. A series of disastrous decisions and cynical compromises, coupled with his need for power, money, and attention gradually ruined his reputation, cost him political support, and ultimately damaged the country.

Kirtzman, who was with Giuliani at the World Trade Center on 9/11, conducted hundreds of interviews to give us an insightful portrait of this polarizing figure from the beginning of his rise to his high-profile role as Donald Trump’s personal lawyer. Giuliani was a celebrated prosecutor, a transformative New York City mayor, and a contender for the presidency. But by the end of the Trump presidency, he was reviled and ridiculed after a series of embarrassing errors and misjudgments. He was a significant figure in both of Trump’s impeachments and ended up widely ostracized, facing both legal jeopardy and financial ruin.

This is the “lively new biography” (The New Yorker) of how it all began and how it came crashing down. Americas Politicians Politics & Activism Politics & Government United States World
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Most relevant
Blown away by this actually. Even-handed, well narrated, engagingly written about a fascinatingly flawed figure. Highly recommended.

Fascinating biography.

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So I saw a review saying the narrator was monotone. I thought he was OK, tbh. I'm not sure I wanted funny voices for such a serious subject anyway. Even though I watched the car crash that is Giuliani play out on TV, it's amazing how such a formerly revered individual descended into the cesspool that he did. Then again, how many times have heroes turned out to be villains in reality? Well worth listening to, IMO.

Well it had me riveted.

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A narrator that cannot do impersonations but tries is worse than author reading his own work. In case of this book, it detracts from the topic and distracts from the storyline. And I have a distinctive lack of facts for the first part of the book, mostly opinions. However for the latter, best documented part of Giuliani’s life, it’s a good book.

Good book but terrible narration

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How Kirtzman qualifies to narrate is beyone me. He has at most 3 notes to his vocal range. Can't continue. I'm sure the story is exceptional....

Kitzman the robot

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