In this book Zell delves into several topics, but most notably into the transmogrification of the Democratic Party into the party of far-left special interests. In the first portion of the book he discusses his upbringing, his family and his background. He is a fascinating man, who has truly earned his place in history. With that place, he has learned introspection and humility, and that is the single attribute that differentiates him from the bulk of politicians, and differentiates this book from most political retrospectives. My only serious critique item would be that although all parts of this book are interesting and well written, I think the book could have been perhaps a bit better focused and edited. Some of the transitions between subjects, particularly early in the text, are a little rough.

Certainly there are subjects on which I disagree with Miller, for instance the long term wisdom on most of FDRs New Deal programs, and public funding for the National Endowment for the Arts (although I do agree with him on arts education in the schools) to name a couple. The point is that I respect his opinions, and have come up with different informed opinions of my own in several instances. That reflects one of his biggest themes in the book, namely that the current Democratic Party leadership is a solid block of far-left positions, and that deviating from that party line is strictly forbidden. This is especially true of highly emotional issues such as opposition to tax cuts, and the right to have an abortion. Miller eloquently points out that this was not always the case, with no less a Democratic stalwart than John F. Kennedy championing giant tax cuts (which were passed by an overwhelmingly Democratic Congress) at a time when the budget deficit was a vastly larger percentage of GDP than it is now in terms of inflation adjusted dollars. My point isn't to champion tax cuts here (though I happen to agree with them) but to echo the point in the book that it is verboten to even have rational dialogue on the issues in Congress anymore, and particularly within the Democratic party.

Miller addresses a plethora of current problems in an always straightforward style. He is particularly eloquent on legacy social programs from the LBJ years, when he states "[These programs] were designed to compensate the victims of poverty rather than to solve the problems that cause it. They gave poor people enough in the way of Medicaid, welfare, food stamps, and housing subsidies to keep and sustain them in their poverty instead of giving them the skills and opportunities they need to break out of their poverty." I have never seen a more succinct and thoughtful encapsulation of all that was wrong with the 'Great Society' programs. Miller is also one of the most expert Governors and Senators on education, and sponsored Georgia's highly successful HOPE scholarships and pre-kindergarten programs. (Do not confuse the Georgia HOPE scholarship with the abortive program of confusing tax credits introduced by Clinton several years later that just happens to share the name of its successful Georgia progenitor.) Miller talks about the perils of modern education with all the self-important expert educrats emphasizing self-esteem over achievement. It is now so bad that some schools will not designate a Valedictorian for fear that it cause emotional harm to others who weren't selected. Once again, Miller says it best: "Show me a school or a school system that emphasizes how children should learn rather than what they should learn and has 'facilitators' instead of teachers, and I'll show you a failing system."

For these courageous stands of logic, historical perspective, and common sense in opposition to the Democratic Party monolith, Zell Miller is to be commended. What really made the book complete was the transcript of his Senate speech made the day after 9/11, both a sensitive tribute to American heroes, and a much needed battle cry for protection of America. This one section of the book is worth the purchase price by itself.

I would be remiss if I didn't mention the incisive and brilliant chapters on the Carter and Clinton election campaigns from the point of view of an insider, and the valid conclusions that he drew from them (which every politician should study), and perhaps the most valuable day to day advice in the book, a list composed on his seventieth birthday for his four grandchildren, called "Some Lessons Learned By Seventy." Anyone of any political persuasion should heed well the advice on that list.

Though there are topics on which we disagree, there are very few politicians I have admired more than Zell Miller. He is an honest, hard working, self made man, and I salute him for his years of service from his time spent in the USMC through his Governorship and Senate service. The United States is a great nation because of men like Zell Miller. This book is highly recommended for anyone of any political ilk.

Thank you, Zell.