The Party's Over Audiobook By Charlie Crist, Ellis Henican cover art

The Party's Over

How the Extreme Right Hijacked the GOP and I Became a Democrat

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The Party's Over

By: Charlie Crist, Ellis Henican
Narrated by: Charlie Crist
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Charlie Crist, the former Republican governor of Florida, spent years in the party's inner circle. In this no-holds-barred memoir, he shows why he switched sides and became a Democrat.

After serving as a Republican governor - one who was on the short list for the vice presidency in 2008 - Charlie Crist made headlines when he decided to run for the U.S. Senate as an Independent. He was on the front page again when he endorsed President Obama in 2012 and spoke at the Democratic National Convention - and yet again when he officially joined the Democratic Party later that year. In The Party's Over, he'll make even more news when he reveals:

  • The inside story of his 2010 Senate primary campaign against Marco Rubio, where he learned exactly how vicious the Republican leadership can be
  • His journey from inner circle to persona non grata, thanks to his literal embrace of President Obama
  • His very frank opinions on Marco Rubio, Jeb Bush, Mitt Romney, Sarah Palin, and other top-tier Republicans
  • Why he believes that Democrats have the right vision for Florida and the nation
  • What he's learned as a member of both parties and why he remains convinced that the two-party system can still work - with the right leadership

Rather than just rehashing his career, in this audiobook Crist offers a focused indictment of the failings of the Republican Party, naming names and identifying where things went wrong. The Party's Over is as far from "politics as usual" as you can get.

©2014 Charlie Crist (P)2014 Penguin Audio Political Science Politicians Politics & Activism Politics & Government Democrat Leadership

Critic reviews

"The Party’s Over is a must-read for anyone who wants to know more about the man who was - and could again be - the governor of the nation’s most-important political swing state." (The Miami Herald)

"Juicy stuff." (Miami New Times)

All stars
Most relevant  
Excellent description of deep feelings, recognizing how they matter and how we have to be true to ourselves.

Recent Florida Political History

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Reminds me more of Jimmy Carter than Barack Obama. Old fashion politics from when political parties meant more than My Way or the Highway.

Good Pitch Piece

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What disappointed you about The Party's Over?

Charlie Crist is a self-absorbed narcissists. He is now with the correct party; the party of sell outs.
Don’t waste your time listening to this self-aggrandizing book.

What could Charlie Crist and Ellis Henican have done to make this a more enjoyable book for you?

Tell the truth.

What did you like about the performance? What did you dislike?

Charlie Crist has a nice voice.

What reaction did this book spark in you? Anger, sadness, disappointment?

Anger. It's Charlie's way or the highway!

Waste of time.

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This Post isn't about his politics or his change of heart. Everyone will have their own take on those issues, and anyone can find evidence to support their view in this book. Instead, this post is about reading between the lines, and how incredibly disingenuous this book reads. When I sat down to listen to the first substantive chapter about his family history I was struck by how strange it all sounded. He was weaving in the usual tapestry of immigrant roots and "the hard work of my father", but the examples he was providing struck me as a little odd. It wasn't until I reached his high school years that I realized the author was forcing his silver spoon upbringing into the "everyman" motif.

Here are some examples. The author talks about his father as if he were a hard working blue collar guy, who does what he can to provide for his family. As you read on however, it becomes clear that his father is a well-to-do, and quite wealthy, doctor. The author talks about his father "building the family home," and then "building a second home", which sounded strange to me (who builds their own homes these days?). But then you realize, he didn't build them with his own hands, and he didn't even buy a home, rather spent millions having them built on premier lake front property. Translation: he comes from a very well-to-do family.

And Mr. Christ sugar coats his own experiences too. He casts himself as the shy, friendly outsider in high school, who wandered onto the football field one day, and, to his shock, the coach recognized his unique skills as quarterback material. Not to mention how he was the awkward kids candidate for student body President, who pulled off a surprise win! Translation: He was the prototypical popular jock.

He's the stereotypical politician: comes from a rich white family, played the role of popular kid in school, made a ton of money, and then entered politics. That kind of story shouldn't surprise anyone. What is so disappointing about this book is that he's so obviously trying to hide that privileged story behind the veil of the "everyman" motif. And that's just dishonest.

If you choose to read/listen this book, just be sure to read between the lines.

Read This With a Mountain of Salt

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