A pretty straight forward, even-handed biography. Obviously the subject matter doesn't lend itself to much intrigue. The one take away, and something that has become obvious throughout the campaign, is that when it comes to policy Romney is, at best, a cipher. None more Vanilla. ( )

A pretty straight forward, even-handed biography. Obviously the subject matter doesn't lend itself to much intrigue. The one take away, and something that has become obvious throughout the campaign, is that when it comes to policy Romney is, at best, a cipher. None more Vanilla. ( )

A biography of Mitt Romney by two Boston Globe reporters, with help (at least according to their notes) from a lot of other people. It seems to me basically fair (quotations are all sourced) and reasonably balanced -- Mr. Romney is not presented as either a superman or a devil. I expect that most people who read this book will already have made up their minds about Mr. Romney, and I don't think it will change many views. That said, I think those who would prefer not to see Mr. Romney elected will like it rather better than those who want him to be President. Anti-Romneyites won't have that much to chew on: there are no sensational revalations. But the book does make it quite clear just how sharply Mr. Romney has changed his positions on abortion, on gay rights, and on health care -- not particularly welcome reading for those who want to see him as President. ( )