I wanted to like this so much more than I did, but I found this memoir to be both braggy and with an agenda. On the whole, I still like the man and I can't deny the positive success he has had in California. I have no doubt he will be running for president. This book made me realize HOW connected Newsom is. To the Gettys, Pelosis, the tech giants, politicians, celebrities, etc. Even though he grew up with divorced parents and a mom who struggled to make ends meet, his family's legacies and friendships afforded him insane opportunities. From dining with royalty, partying with celebrities, studying polar bears in Alaska and so much more. This book feels like it was made just to silence his critics, to say, "Yes, I know all these people, they opened doors for me and helped me out, but I struggled as a kid! I didn't get where I got JUST because of my connections." And really, that is the crux of the book. As a reader you have to decide how much of Gavin Newsom's success came from his hard work and perseverance and how much came from the sphere that surrounded him. I do think it is a mix of both and I still admire him. I just got tired of all the name dropping.
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