The Confession, James E. McGreevey
The Confession, James E. McGreevey
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The Confession

Author: James E. McGreevey

Narrator: James E. McGreevey

Abridged: 5 hr 35 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Publisher: HarperAudio

Published: 09/19/2006


Synopsis

In August 2004, Governor James E. McGreevey of New Jersey made history when he declared ""My truth is that I am a gay American,"" and announced his resignation. Now, in this extraordinarily candid memoir, McGreevey shares his story of a life of ambition, moral compromise, and redemption. From childhood, McGreevey lived a kind of idealized American life, and he strove to exceed expectations in everything he did. He won three elections by the age of thirty-six, and four years later nearly toppled the state's popular governor, Christie Todd Whitman. When he ran again, in 2001, he won by a landslide. Throughout his adult life McGreevey had been forced to suppress a fundamental truth: that he was gay. He knew that the only clear path to his dreams was to live a straight life, and so he split in two, accepting the traditional role of family man while denying his deepest emotions. And he discovered that becoming a political player demanded ethical shortcuts at least as corrosive as living in the closet. Written with honesty, grace, and rare insight, The Confession may be among the most honest political memoirs ever written.

About James E. McGreevey

James E. McGreevey was the governor of New Jersey from January 2002 to November 2004. Born in Jersey City, he earned degrees from Columbia, Georgetown, and Harvard before serving three terms as the mayor of Woodbridge, New Jersey. After a narrow defeat in 1997, he was elected to the governor's seat in 2001. He lives in Plainfield, New Jersey with his partner, Mark O'Donnell. He has two daughters, Jacqueline and Morag.


Reviews

Goodreads review by Vincent on May 20, 2019

Former New Jersey Governor James McGreevey's "The Confession" shares the one time rising star's tortured struggle with his sexuality. A fast read, Mr. McGreevey effectively paints a picture of New Jersey's byzantine political scene at the turn of the twenty-first century. In a way, the memoir serves......more

Goodreads review by Don on June 16, 2017

This was a fascinating look at the rise and fall of one of the most complex political figures of the early 2000s. I ended with a much better understanding of the life and motivations of Governor McGreevy than when I began.......more

Goodreads review by Jeffrey on December 27, 2020

Thought it was an honest from the heart story. Was proud to see how he outed himself to the public and took responsibility. It was a sad day to see him resign as governor when it shouldn't have made any difference in his professional duties. Voted for him in the election!......more

Goodreads review by Roxanne on September 29, 2013

An honest and revealing look at the political games played by all parties involved. So glad that ex-governor McGreevey prior to resigning his term of office signed an Executive Order putting an end to the pay to play system, prohibiting donors from receiving significant state contracts if they had g......more

Goodreads review by Iris on April 29, 2013

Really interesting! I vaguely remember McGreevey's on-air confession, wayyyy before equality became a mainstream issue. It was enlightening to listen to his story, written in 2006, 7 years later. It shows you how far society has come in terms of LGBT rights and our views on it. Back in 2004, this wa......more