With All Due Respect: Defending America with Grit and Grace

<strong>Nikki Haley </strong><br /><br />Nikki Haley will in all likelihood become the first woman President of the United States, not because of her gender, but because she is one of the most amazing people ever. She’s tough. She’s no nonsense. And, best of all, she takes names.<br /><br />Whatever fractures this country has, whatever divisions, Haley may be best positioned to bring us all together. She grew up in a world divided, but one where she was an outsider who didn’t fit in to preconceived notions of racial division. And she knows how amazingly far the South has come since she was a child. Her own election and that if Tim Scott demonstrate that, with few spare exceptions, the world has changed. <br /><br />One of Haley’s most poignant stories in this book is about the Charleston church shooting and how it ripped open wounds that were thought to have healed. How growing up in South Carolina she understood that the shooter’s bitter Hate was the exception now, not the rule. And she hated his the national media and race baiters seemed to want to use it to redivide our country. Her recounting if each of the nine victims and their funerals <br /><br />Most of us are only familiar with Haley as the UN ambassador with the high heels who announced that the US was back and was going to stand with its friends, not its enemies. Haley recounts how as she waited to take her ambassadorship Obama and Samantha Powers took the opportunity to betray our allies and to reward our enemies. Haley explains how she saw how the UN unfairly was used to bully Israel, how brutal dictators like Assad and Castro were given a free pass. And how the UN never gives a damn about human rights. <br /><br />One of the final chapters is given to her visit to South Sudan and the brutal conditions there that have been allowed to fester as literally millions have become refugees in their own country.<br /><br />This book which is more highlights than a biography is incredibly well-written, obviously well-researched, and narrated so smoothly that it practically reads itself.

<b>Hell hath no fury like a woman wrongly portrayed.</b><br /><br />Nikki Haley takes on the UN and the good old boys, John Kelly and Rex Tillerson, with the same equanimity and fighting spirit and proves that this Southern woman is no wilting magnolia.<br /><br />This is as much a chronicle of a few years in Haley’s life--beginning with the Charleston shootings and chronicling her time as UN Ambassador--as it is a study in international policy and the shortcomings of the UN, the most galling of which is their continued dismissal and antagonism toward Israel, the only democracy in that part of the world.<br /><br />She calmly and pointedly recounts her experiences, the ideals she fought for, all the while taking on both the Chinese and Russian ambassadors on the UN Security Council who, not surprisingly, were always on the other side of every initiative she undertook. The atrocities she cites and which continue to take place throughout our world will anger and sadden you, a few of the stories made me physically ill, but they also made me ever more grateful to live in a land of freedom. And I cheered Nikki on as she fought the good fight.<br /><br />In a book filled with example after example of the UN’s failures, there were two that boiled my blood. The disparity she found between how much we (the US) spend in foreign aid to certain countries and how often those countries’ interests are not aligned with ours is shocking (e.g., in 2017 we gave Pakistan more aid than only a handful of other countries, nearly $1 billion, yet they oppose us 76% of the time and harbor terrorists plotting to hurt us). But the most shameful is the UN’s Human Rights Council whose members are elected by secret ballot and which count among its members some of the worst human rights violators, Cuba, China, Rwanda and Saudi Arabia. <br /><br />If you dismiss this woman’s story simply due to politics, then you will miss a great opportunity to learn something important and to look beyond your bubble. As a woman, an immigrant and a humanist, Nikki Haley is my kind of hero.

I wanted to read this book after reading Linda Sarsour's memoir, cause if I'm reading about an American left wing leader, I should also read about a right wing leader. So apologies but this review is going to be somewhat of a comparison of the two books. <br /><br />In many ways, Linda Sarsour and Nikki Haley seem like mirror images. Both are first generation Americans, daughters to immigrants, both have experienced prejudice in America, both have parents who wear religious attire and have stories about how that influenced them. Both talk about using their voices, about being a minority at the table. And yet, their opinions are on opposite ends of the political spectrum.<br /><br />Nikki Haley mentions several times that what unites us is more important. It seems she believes the similarities are what should be highlighted and not the differences. In contrast, Linda Sarsour talks about celebrating the differences. She often mentions the way a Muslim woman is living life differently, the way Black men experience the police differently. <br /><br />I think that's the true difference between them, that's where it actually stems from. If you believe that all that unites us is more important, you don't want to talk about identity politics, you don't want to be aware of racial prejudices, we are all the same. And if you highlight what's different, you don't want to be told that we're all equal Americans, you don't want to feel empathy for everyone but your people, a white privileged straight cis man is not like a Muslim Palestinian woman. <br /><br />And within these two mindsets, I found that I entirely don't know where to place myself. I was able to read both Haley's book and Sarsour's book and go, "heck yeah, that's true" to both of them, despite the different opinions. I find that Sarsour is right in her claim that different parts of society experience it differently and we need to be aware of that but at the same time, it seems like Haley's view might actually be more helpful in order to live a mutual life together. Beyond that, I do believe that we are all the same in our ability to feel, to experience, to care. That should play a part in the way we do politics. <br /><br />But I'm getting way ahead of myself (and this is starting to sound like an essay for uni, totally going to start adding footnotes). Returning to the book!   <br /><br />So, Nikki Haley. Before reading this, I only really knew that she's close to Trump and that she's very pro-Israel. I wish those two things wouldn't work in tandem. In any case, just like Linda Sarsour, I did not know much about her and her experiences. <br /><br />Haley goes deep into the Charleston murder, discusses her support of Marco Rubio, shares her thoughts about the UN, and digs deep into her attempts at creating chance in the UN, regarding the Human Rights Council, South Sudan, North Korea, Venezuela, and Israel. This book is a summary of her time representing America in the UN. <br /><br />I have to say, I didn't think this book would be so levelheaded and reasonable. Haley seems like such a <i>humanist</i>. It seems like she entered politics in order to make a positive change and really is doing everything she can in order to help people. She has some insightful ideas about HRC and North Korea and I have to say, her thoughts about the UN were refreshing, I definitely agree with her that the UN doesn't manage to achieve much of what it sets out to do.<br /> <br />I've never really thought about Trump's administration as individual people. Reading Haley's book suddenly made me realize that she was not entirely pro-Trump and that she saw him like a co-worker and not necessarily as a leader that she supported blindly. In fact, she discusses the way she will support the president as that is who the people have chosen. <br /><br />In a way, Sarsour and Haley's love for the country and their communities is exactly what leads them into such different paths. It's Sarsour's love for America that pushes her to be an activist just as Haley's love for America pushes her into office, even with a president that she does not agree with entirely. This is an important point to remember as we debate about politics. <br /><br />However, it's worth noting that <a href="https://goodreads.com/book/show/35356384.How_Democracies_Die_What_History_Reveals_About_Our_Future" title="How Democracies Die What History Reveals About Our Future by Steven Levitsky" rel="noopener">How Democracies Die: What History Reveals About Our Future</a> mentions this precisely and says that in Austria in 2016, the extreme right wing party FPÖ was competing with an independent candidate. The right-center party had realized that FPÖ's candidate was an extremist and so they supported the independent candidate, despite the conventions. By gatekeeping the extremists, parties can take responsibility for the political game. In contrast, when Republicans like Haley were willing to go, "well, Trump's our candidate, we must support him", they essentially gave him legitimacy, exactly the opposite of what ÖVP did.<br /><br />So yeah, I do see how we should support democratically elected people once they have been chosen but at the same time, Republicans could have decided to speak up against Trump. By accepting that he's the Republican nominee and going on as usual, they are complacent in the acceptance of Trump into politics. <br /><br />It's often hard for me to understand why American Republicans would think the way they do. I mean, how can you speak against healthcare? Why fight against gun control? How can you support a party that doesn't see the harmful effects of capitalism?<br /><br />So I was a little disappointed that Haley didn't bring more of that. She responds a little bit about the economics of Republicans by talking about the benefits of free economy, without pointing out that a country can have a free competitive market while also caring for its citizens, it's not just communism or capitalism. It's silly when politicians claim that with a welfare state, we'll end up with the USSR, as if America isn't ridiculously behind by not having free healthcare. I had hoped to hear a more nuanced look from someone who makes decisions. <br /><br />This book made me think about how immigration is so hard and when a country doesn't offer good resources for people to gain the tools they need, they're essentially creating a problem which is later much harder to solve. It is much easier to help someone learn English than it is to afterwards deal with their inability to take part in life due to the language barrier. She talks about the American dream but neglects to mention that both of her parents were highly educated. Is the American dream still an option for someone who comes with nothing and wants to work hard? <br /><br />All in all, this was a pleasant surprise. Even if I don't agree with certain things Haley says, I feel like I pictured this book more controversial than it actually is. I'm finding that the UN is much more interesting than I thought it would be, someone should remind me to apply to the UN internship program one of these days. <br /><br /><b> What I'm Taking With Me </b><br />- This book is written very similarly to Sarsour's book. Totally wondering about ghostwriters. <br />- There's the Politics student voice in my head that says that there's a specific audience that reads politicians' biographies and therefore this is written in a way to make them like Haley more than they would if they'd just read a list of her decisions.<br />- Bless your heart is apparently an aggressive statement in the south. 

Nikki Haley is an American politician, diplomat, businesswoman and author, who served as the first female governor of South Carolina, (and was the youngest US governor) and, between 2017 and 2018, as US ambassador to the United Nations. Her non-fiction work, "With All Due Respect – Defending America with Grit and Grace" covers this period of her life, which included her being a member of President Trump’s Cabinet. Haley has a reputation as being direct and forthright, a trait that comes through in the telling of her time in office. The book gives a remarkable insight into what goes on in the United Nations, as well as the intrigue behind-the-scenes. Whatever political tribe you identify with, it’s an interesting, thought-provoking read.

{VIDEO: The Most Dangerous Book Review on the Internet here: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow" href="http://bit.ly/NHaley_Respect">http://bit.ly/NHaley_Respect</a> }<br /><br />Today’s bookshelves are overflowing with political books from members of both the Republican and Democrat parties, as well as opinions from those whose views represent those in other camps. Many explode and condemn by names the people who do not follow the same political beliefs. It was a welcome relief to see that type of behavior is not repeated in this book from Nikki Haley. One of the guiding principles represented is her belief that Americans need to “…refocus the country on working together to build our strength and not allow ourselves to be torn apart.”<br /><br />Yes, that is easy to say and very hard to do. Throughout the pages of “With all Due Respect,” the author poses the tough questions she has dealt with and explains what she did and why, both as Governor of South Carolina and later as the U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations. Ms. Haley shares her emotions, the strengths of a person with strong ideals. Through it all, the emphasis is on respect for all and working together to move forward. <br /><br />Author Nikki Haley talks openly about the challenges she has faced through her life and how they have shaped her and given her the tools to address whatever confronted her over the last few years. She approached each issue and gave those who disagreed with her the dignity they deserved. Her actions describe even more than her words, demonstrating she is a person who looks past the racial and political lines to find agreement between people, between citizens of this country and of the world. She makes no apologies for acknowledging her heritage while at the same time considering herself an American. The world needs more Nikki Haleys. Five stars.

This is a good book about being a publicly responsible, active unifier--the state governor--in the face of a divisive and truly horrible event (the Charleston church murders of 9 African-American worshippers). <br /><br />Along the way readers will understand the discrimination Haley herself endured growing up in rural South Carolina as the daughter of Indian Sikhs and how that experience continues to inform her approach. We also come to understand how much she loves South Carolina and its people.<br /><br />This book may be of interest to those who like political science or follow current events. Ms. Haley gives insight into both her jobs as South Carolina governor and the more thankless job of ambassador to the UN. <br /><br />While I do not recommend this book to mystery/suspense/thriller/action adventure readers--and even for students of government it goes far into the weeds, especially with the UN--Ms. Haley has written cogently about how she considered and addressed the challenges she faced. <br /><br />As a bonus, readers will discern if they don't already know that the phrase "bless your heart" is southern women's code for far more emphatic expletives.

While the book is well-written, and probably paid to be ghostwritten, is full of B.S. Ms. Haley is widely known for being stubborn, rude, and a war-monger. The idea that she would attempt to draw attention to the hawkish scoundrel that she is shows no shame ... and she has the balls to defend such horrible views on economic policy and immigration. If you're a scum-like person, you might identify with this book, but for the humanist and futurist, it was a read of simmering bile.

In my opinion, when people see who wrote this book and that she is a Republican and if they are left of center on the political spectrum, they will determine it to be not worth reading. That would definitely be their loss. This is a great book for everyone to read IF they want to read about a strong and principled woman who rose to be the United Nation Ambassador for the United States. She is a woman in what typically is described as a “man’s world” yet she not only survived she thrived and America is better for her work not only at the United Nations but also as Governor for the State of South Carolina.<br /><br />As I read the book, I thought about my three daughters and one son and how they may have benefited by reading Haley’s book when they were teenagers. The one statement that stands out far more than any other in the book was when she described being the American born daughter of a mother and father who both immigrated to America from India. She was “not white enough to be welcomed by white groups, and she was not black enough to be welcomed by black groups.” She said she could have let that deter her but instead she moved on. That is a lesson for everyone regardless of your ethnic heritage or your skin color.<br /><br />I particularly enjoyed reading about how she rarely if ever took “no” for an answer. That she fought the status quo and in spite of tremendous odds managed to convince others to do the right things at the appropriate times. It also depicts the world as it really is rather than what we may think it is or what we see on television. Many of her experiences are truly shocking as she describes them. I fully realize this is one person’s view of the time she spent as Governor and then as Ambassador yet as I read it, the truth seemed to shine through. This is a good book and one that every teenager should read and learn from in their early years as there are valuable lessons throughout the book. Adults could also learn from the book as it provides a window into the operation of a state government, the United Nations and the White House.<br /><br />Who should read this book? Everyone interested in improving their position in life and everyone interested in current events and politics! It’s that good!<br />Would I read it again? Probably not, it is not one of those books you need to read more than once.<br />Would I give it as a gift? I definitely would! <br />

Exceptionally well written with lots of insight to keep the reader very intrigued and the story constantly developing. She’s not only a straight talker in interviews but in her book as well. Very conversational and a fantastic read.

This book was very impressively written. I went into the book with a bias that she was a Trump lemming because she was the Ambassador to the UN. Surprisingly on different levels, Trump picked her because she was very honest and gave it right back to him. <br /><br />She is a daughter of an Indian immigrant and made a presentation on immigration that really taught me a lesson. <br /><br />Very good read. Be open!