I Should Be Dead: My Life Surviving Politics, TV, and Addiction
I Should Be Dead: My Life Surviving Politics, TV, and Addiction book cover

I Should Be Dead: My Life Surviving Politics, TV, and Addiction

Kindle Edition

Price
$6.99
Publisher
Hachette Books
Publication Date

Description

"In this remarkable book, Bob Beckel reveals for the first time some of his failings, challenges and temptations, not to glorify them, but to give the reader a sense of the magnitude of the grace of God, who rescued Bob in his darkest hour. Thrilling and brutally honest, Bob's memoir will give you an entirely different sense of the man, beyond the silliness of the political world and media in which we both work and live."― Cal Thomas, Syndicated and USA Today Columnist and Fox News Contributor "An inspiring, truthful, humorous, and insightful account of a survivor's quest to ascend in the world of politics, the campaign trail, Washington, and life. This is a must read for anyone who cares to understand the pain caused by early adversity and the influence it can have on the development of addiction. Bob Beckel delivers a truly captivating account of his life."― Peter Przekop, D.O., Ph.D., Director of Pain Management, Betty Ford Center; faculty member, Loma Linda University Medical School "Bob Beckel's candor about his challenges doesn't surprise me. In our nearly thirty years of friendship, he has always been willing to tell it like it is, or at least as he sees it. We don't always see things the same, but I greatly respect him for fighting the demons of addiction and being willing to tell the story of those fights so openly."― Haley Barbour, former Governor of Mississippi "I have known Bob Beckel for more than forty years. We have been steadfast friends through thick and thin. In a field where loyalty is a situational commodity, Bob's loyalty is a granite mountain. In a sphere where true honesty is rare and too often fleeting, Bob is among the most honest men I have ever known. I Should be Dead will make you laugh, it will make you cry, and every page will be a revelation--and absolutely true. I couldn't put it down; after knowing Bob four decades it was a stunning epiphany."― Patrick Caddell, Fox News contributor, Former Democratic Pollster and strategist "A great read, perhaps as an engaging psychological study for some, and a must read for fans of The Five ."― The Daily Caller --This text refers to the paperback edition. Bob Beckel rejoined FOX News Channel as co-host of The Five in January 2017. He worked for the U.S. State Department (1977-1980), where he served as the youngest Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for the Carter Administration. A graduate of Wagner College, Beckel served as national campaign manager for Walter Mondale's presidential campaign. --This text refers to the paperback edition.

Features & Highlights

  • From Bob Beckel, the popular co-host of "The Five" on Fox News Channel, a deeply moving, redemptive memoir about his life as a political operative and diplomat, his long struggle with alcohol and drugs, and his unlikely journey to finding faith.
  • Growing up poor in an abusive home, Bob Beckel learned to be a survivor: to avoid conflict, mask his feelings, and to lie--all skills that served him well in Washington, where he would become the youngest-ever Deputy Assistant Secretary of State and manage Walter Mondale's 1984 presidential campaign. But Beckel was living a double life. On January 20, 2001--George W. Bush's first Inauguration Day--he hit rock bottom, waking up in the psych ward. Written with captivating honesty, Beckel chronicles how his addictions nearly killed him until he found help in an unexpected ally, conservative Cal Thomas, who helped him find faith, get sober, and get his life back on track.

Customer Reviews

Rating Breakdown

★★★★★
60%
(424)
★★★★
25%
(177)
★★★
15%
(106)
★★
7%
(49)
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Most Helpful Reviews

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... Childhood And then over comming addictions that come from bad

Outstanding story of Personal Triumph Over Difficult Childhood And then over comming addictions that come from bad parrenting
2 people found this helpful
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Politics and Life

I enjoy politics and am very familiar with Bob Beckel from TV so found his story interesting and what he had to say about the political campaigns informative. His personal struggle is not unlike that of people I have known, and I find it brave of him to take an honest look at his life - the good and the ugly.
2 people found this helpful
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A fascinating life and a great testament.

A story of overcoming political obstacles with back door dealings worthy of a best selling fictional spy novel. But these stories are true.
Also a story of overcoming life's obstacles with the help of people you never would expect to be your friend. But they turn out to be the best friends you ever had.
2 people found this helpful
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sad, humorous

Emotionally riveting. Touching in many ways, sad, humorous, informative, open, honest, courageous.. I especially was touched by the honest reflection of a life filled with tragedies and, yet, the courage to work through the dark side of life into an optimistic way of life.
2 people found this helpful
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An alcoholic's review

I have been sober for 35 years. Bob's rendition of his years drinking are stark reminders of my own past. It's hard to believe that I first met Bob in 1960 in Lyme.

Good job, Bob.
2 people found this helpful
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Bob Beckel's Book

This is an interesting biography of the author's struggles and successes with alcoholism. Hear felt and honest, one feels great sympathy over the story of Beckel's childhood abuse at the hand of his father. The terror he knew affected his life. In spite of his beginning, he became a very successful political consultant for the Democratic party, and a loved TV personality. This is book that can be a great help for those who are struggling with addictions.
2 people found this helpful
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While I do not agree with his politics, I ...

While I do not agree with his politics, I do appreciate the candid way Beckel has chosen to tell his story!
2 people found this helpful
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Bob Beckel Should Be Dead? No!

Well written, honest, even fun to read. Great for those of us - Republicans or Democrats - who miss him on Fox News's "The Five" at 5:00 pm on weekdays. He makes liberals almost lovable.
2 people found this helpful
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An honest look at the hell of addiction

A refreshing and honest look at the hell that addiction to alcohol and drugs will take you to!
Bob Beckel is funny and eloquent at the same time as he records the dark days of his life. Opening his life so completely to the scrutiny of strangers isn’t easy but he has handled it with aplomb!
I Should Be Dead isn’t easy to read but I recommend you take the time. It’s worth it!
Thank you, Mr. Beckel!
1 people found this helpful
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Loved it !!!

My wife and I are part of the crowd that Beckel calls that love him even though we do not agree politically. Reading this book has given me a much deeper understanding of him. Now I appreciate and love him all the more. To have gone through all he went through and still be able to write this is amazing in itself. You are a beautiful man Bob and I am happy you found faith..see you in heaven one of these years when we reach out forever home.
1 people found this helpful