UNBELIEVABLE: My Front-Row Seat to the Craziest Campaign in American History

by Katy Tur
 
Unbelievable was recommended to me by a friend and frankly, I wasn’t sure I wanted to read it.   Don’t get me wrong.  I happily spend many an evening glued to MSNBC, following Chris Hayes and Rachel Maddow.  But, the idea of using my leisure time reading about Donald Trump’s successful presidential campaign run seemed potentially anxiety-producing, rather than pleasant.  I decided to try it though, and I am delighted that I did.
 
Katy Tur was relatively new and unknown when NBC tapped her to follow Donald Trump as he began his run for president.  She kept a journal of her 500 days following his campaign and Unbelievable came out of that.  I think Tur is especially successful in relating her story as though it is happening in real time.  Tur has a witty writing style and the book is full of wry observations about Washington and politics and politicians and reporters. 
 
Tur takes the reader on the bumpy journey of Trump’s campaign, from its beginning when no one took him seriously, through the many episodes that would have derailed other candidates, to the incredulity of a nation when he won.  Within her story we see her spat upon, publicly discredited by the candidate and fearing for her life at rallies where crowds of thousands chanted anti-media war cries.
 
I enjoyed Unbelievable particularly because Tur comes across as “just a regular person.”  I felt like she could have been one of my daughters’ friends – just out there working hard to succeed in her chosen profession.  And what an incredible 500-day journey she had!  I think you’ll enjoy taking it with her as much as I did. (Liz)