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Available
Call number
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Collection
Publication
Liveright (2019), Edition: 1, 352 pages
Description
"A mayor's inspirational story of a Midwest city that has become nothing less than a blueprint for the future of American renewal. Once described by the Washington Post as "the most interesting mayor you've never heard of," Pete Buttigieg, the thirty-six-year-old Democratic mayor of South Bend, Indiana, has improbably emerged as one of the nation's most visionary politicians. First elected in 2011, Buttigieg left a successful business career to move back to his hometown, previously tagged by Newsweek as a "dying city," because the industrial Midwest beckoned as a challenge to the McKinsey-trained Harvard graduate. Whether meeting with city residents on middle-school basketball courts, reclaiming abandoned houses, confronting gun violence, or attracting high-tech industry, Buttigieg has transformed South Bend into a shining model of urban reinvention. While Washington reels with scandal, Shortest Way Home interweaves two once-unthinkable success stories: that of an Afghanistan veteran who came out and found love and acceptance, all while in office, and that of a Rust Belt city so thoroughly transformed that it shatters the way we view America's so-called flyover country."--Provided by publisher.… (more)
User reviews
LibraryThing member Doondeck
Great story about a promising young man who is in the hunt for the Presidency. Having lived in South Bend for 4 years 50 years ago and visiting it regularly today, I can attest to his accomplishments.
LibraryThing member bookworm12
I read this because this presidential candidate is a mayor in my state. His story is fascinating. He’s a millennial, went to Harvard, is gay, is a veteran, his father is from Malta, and much more. Somehow none of those elements define him. Each one adds to the way he sees the world which gives
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him a diverse outlook. The writing was crisp and kept me interested throughout. I loved reading about a politician my own age who has accomplished so much. Show Less
LibraryThing member rivkat
I sure like what Buttigieg says in interviews (as a FB friend said, I want him as press secretary). Buttigieg is a smart guy who’s checked a lot of neoliberal boxes—he was a McKinsey consultant! He’s clearly a hardworking mayor; one of the most interesting parts is his growing understanding
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of the symbolic importance of showing up and talking to his constituents. He walks a fine line discussing his coming out, when he was already mayor, without revealing intimate details beyond that he used dating apps. But judged by the book, he doesn’t show the thoughtfulness of Obama, the intellectual firepower and passion of Warren, or the moral focus of Harris, which keeps him from rising for me right now. Show Less
LibraryThing member richardderus
Pearl Ruled #6 (p157)
Rating: 3* of five because it's not a *bad* book, just terminally boring to me
Buttigieg had a dull, ordinary childhood in a dull, dying town that nobody much has heard of. His fancy-pants parents, liberal college professors at Notre Dame, gave him all the love and attention any
If Mayor Pete can get elected Governor of Indiana and do a creditable job there for a while, I'd vote for him in 2028. Until then, his earnest, dull, somewhat stodgy little self can stop sucking up oxygen from candidates better prepared to be President than he is just now. Go campaign for the ones ready for the job, Mayor Pete.
The book is like the man: Worthy, stodgy, informative and neatly dressed. In a very flyover country way. That's not my jam, and I am about ready to scream from the boring, so I'm out...but don't let my Eastern-Elite snobbery turn you off. Unless, of course, you share it; in which case don't put yourself through it.
Rating: 3* of five because it's not a *bad* book, just terminally boring to me
Buttigieg had a dull, ordinary childhood in a dull, dying town that nobody much has heard of. His fancy-pants parents, liberal college professors at Notre Dame, gave him all the love and attention any
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kid could ask for; his friends and he did the usual kid things; he was a high flyer from teenage on in everyone's eyes. He's succeeded at being the kind of politician that should be the norm not the exception: Focused on results, compromising what he can to get what we all need.If Mayor Pete can get elected Governor of Indiana and do a creditable job there for a while, I'd vote for him in 2028. Until then, his earnest, dull, somewhat stodgy little self can stop sucking up oxygen from candidates better prepared to be President than he is just now. Go campaign for the ones ready for the job, Mayor Pete.
The book is like the man: Worthy, stodgy, informative and neatly dressed. In a very flyover country way. That's not my jam, and I am about ready to scream from the boring, so I'm out...but don't let my Eastern-Elite snobbery turn you off. Unless, of course, you share it; in which case don't put yourself through it.
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LibraryThing member kcshankd
This is a fine memoir of a successful young man as far as it goes, but for the life of me I can't imagine why he is wasting his time running for POTUS. Maybe try governor or senator first?
LibraryThing member brianinbuffalo
There's no nice way to say it. The first two-thirds of "Shortest Way Home" is only slightly less monotonous than watching paint dry on one of those 1,000 homes in South Bend that were renovated during Mayor Pete's early years in office. I almost stopped listening to this audiobook twice, thinking
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to myself, "If this is the shortest way home, I would hate to be with Buttigieg on a meandering autobiographical journey." But I had been immensely intrigued by his rise into the top tier of Democratic presidential contenders. While I disagree with some of his stands, I was impressed with his communication skills and demeanor. So I trudged on. I'm glad I did. When Buttigieg finally delves into issues like racial tensions in South Bend, his coming out as a gay man and his efforts build new chapters in his life, the book hits its stride. Don't get me wrong. For readers who are interested in combined sewer systems, data-driven governance and other issues that most would label as "inside baseball," it's an enlightening book. My 25+ years as a city government reporter gave me some appreciation for the sections that involved running South Bend. But as is the case with many memoirs, Mayor Pete would have been better served by a disciplined editor who stressed the "less is more" mantra. Show Less
LibraryThing member ilovemycat1
Enjoyed this book and love Buttigieg as a candidate for POTUS. Whenever he speaks, his intelligence, his thoughtfulness, and his humanity shine through. He has many intrinsic gifts and much to offer to our country, no matter his position. The book was lent to me by a neighbor and although the parts
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about South Bend were not very interesting, I liked reading about his job in the private sector, his time in Afghanistan, and especially his courtship with Chasten, now his husband. Show Less
LibraryThing member ecataldi
This was one of the better written political memoirs I've read. It isn't all rhetoric, it's honest, and it isn't manipulative to prove points. Mayor Pete isn't just eloquent delivering speeches or debating, he's a gifted author as well. This memoir gives a great glimpse into his life and
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illustrates the many things that have built up his beliefs and world views. From his childhood in South Bend, his college days, his first political leanings, to his service in the navy; Mayor Pete's life is inspiring and well worth the read. I learned a lot about how he runs South Bend and I was amazed at every turn. His memoir isn't braggy, and he often shares anecdotes and gaffes that show he knows how to bounce back after mistakes. I hope to see more from this bright inspiring politician from my home state! Show Less
LibraryThing member TooBusyReading
I want to find out more about the 2020 presidential candidates, and I thought this memoir by Pete Buttigieg would be a good way to know more about him. I think that were I to meet him in person, I would really like him. He seems like a genuinely nice guy, and has made great strides of mayor of
As much as I appreciated learning about his political and social work, and about what goes on in a mayor's job, I enjoyed learning about his personal life. Even more Apparently, if you are mayor of a good-sized town, it can be really hard to get a date when you come out as gay.
Right now, I don't know who the Democratic candidate for the 2020 election will be, but I don't think it will be Mr. Buttigieg. I think he is not well known enough, and he is too young and non-traditional for some. For me, I'd be happy to see this thoughtful and intelligent man as president of the United States. But I have a feeling that whether he becomes that or not, he is going to continue to do his best to make my country better.
I read part of the book in ebook format and I listened to part of it, very well narrated by the author.
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South Bend, Indiana, to get that city on its feet again.As much as I appreciated learning about his political and social work, and about what goes on in a mayor's job, I enjoyed learning about his personal life. Even more Apparently, if you are mayor of a good-sized town, it can be really hard to get a date when you come out as gay.
Right now, I don't know who the Democratic candidate for the 2020 election will be, but I don't think it will be Mr. Buttigieg. I think he is not well known enough, and he is too young and non-traditional for some. For me, I'd be happy to see this thoughtful and intelligent man as president of the United States. But I have a feeling that whether he becomes that or not, he is going to continue to do his best to make my country better.
I read part of the book in ebook format and I listened to part of it, very well narrated by the author.
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LibraryThing member Mrs.DuBois
Mayor Pete eloquently details his growing-up years, his years through Harvard and Oxford, and the career choices he made which ultimately lead him back to South Bend to became mayor. He describes the thought processes and the difficulties of decisions he made as mayor. I live in South Bend and
I listened and recommend the audible version read by Mayor Pete.
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found the book interesting in its familiarity and enlightening politically, as well.I listened and recommend the audible version read by Mayor Pete.
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LibraryThing member JulieStielstra
I'm not one to gobble up celebrity (political or otherwise) autobiographies, but after Jill Lepore in the New Yorker said this was one of the two best of the current bunch - and after I'd been pretty impressed with Pete Buttigieg's articulate, thoughtful presence in several interviews - I gave it a
He also has a lovely way of telling you the details about things like the difference between running for statewide office and the mayor's office: running locally, he says, means everyone knows you're in town. And if someone "invite[s] you to a chili cook-off, and you choose to go to someone else's corn and sausage roast, they will find out...and they will remember." I've never read elsewhere such a vivid, entertaining, and exhausting description of what a candidate actually *does* all day when campaigning, including endless food activities that sometimes end with "a few minutes' unscheduled pause to change clothes after a pierogi malfunction sent globs of cheese and cabbage onto the front of my blue shirt." And he cheerfully explains that a name like his is no problem in northern Indiana politics, listing local officials named Niezgodski, Wesolowski, Kostielny, and - triumphantly - Przybysz, "pronounced something like 'sheepish' and spelled without the involvement of a single vowel."
He hits the most popular media points of his bio: his military service, his experiences as a devoted mayor laboring (largely successfully) to nurture some life and growth in a deeply damaged community, and his love story. For the most part, you will not find political / governmental policy details, but a gentle review of the life experiences that shaped his beliefs and values and a ferocious work ethic - the foundation upon which he consciously tries to build his professional decisions.
What a nice change that would be.
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shot. And... the man can write. Maybe the opening paragraphs are a little too much "glow," "illuminated," "luminous" ambiance, but, okay, let's give it a chance. And it works. We hear the steadying voice throughout of a good-hearted, widely educated on top of natively smart, hard-working man who is eager to learn and to serve. He admits freely to what others see as his shortcomings (mostly that he was born too recently to know much), a certain naivete, and sometimes paying too much attention to the wrong things. He has an endearing self-deprecating wit, and you feel like this is a guy you would trust to listen to your troubles, to look after your dog, and be earnest and polite to your parents. He also has a lovely way of telling you the details about things like the difference between running for statewide office and the mayor's office: running locally, he says, means everyone knows you're in town. And if someone "invite[s] you to a chili cook-off, and you choose to go to someone else's corn and sausage roast, they will find out...and they will remember." I've never read elsewhere such a vivid, entertaining, and exhausting description of what a candidate actually *does* all day when campaigning, including endless food activities that sometimes end with "a few minutes' unscheduled pause to change clothes after a pierogi malfunction sent globs of cheese and cabbage onto the front of my blue shirt." And he cheerfully explains that a name like his is no problem in northern Indiana politics, listing local officials named Niezgodski, Wesolowski, Kostielny, and - triumphantly - Przybysz, "pronounced something like 'sheepish' and spelled without the involvement of a single vowel."
He hits the most popular media points of his bio: his military service, his experiences as a devoted mayor laboring (largely successfully) to nurture some life and growth in a deeply damaged community, and his love story. For the most part, you will not find political / governmental policy details, but a gentle review of the life experiences that shaped his beliefs and values and a ferocious work ethic - the foundation upon which he consciously tries to build his professional decisions.
What a nice change that would be.
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Awards
Audie Award (Finalist — 2020)
Language
Original language
English
Physical description
352 p.; 6.4 inches
ISBN
1631494368 / 9781631494369