Not My First Rodeo
Lessons from the Heartland
by Kristi Noem
Pub Date 28 Jun 2022
Twelve Books,Twelve
Biographies & Memoirs


Twelve Books and Netgalley sent me Not My First Rodeo to review:


The South Dakota governor tells her story of growing up on a ranch, and how true grit taught her leadership skills.

“We don’t complain about things, Kristi. We fix them.” In keeping with her father's words, South Dakota's first woman governor Kristi Noem offers heartfelt and heartbreaking lessons about making the world a better place, from her farm in rural America to the marbled halls of Congress to the national spotlight during a global pandemic.


Noem takes readers through her life defined by work, faith, and helping others, from humorous barnyard battles with feisty cattle and rodeo horses to the tragic death of her father. Noem's reflections are offered in the familiar, unvarnished voice of a woman who defied Washington's most powerful politicians and led her small, hardscrabble state through natural disasters, a global pandemic, and the fear that followed.



The memoir is filled with candid observations and refreshingly frank assessments of the country's leaders, but the most powerful moments still come from honest glimpses into marriage, motherhood, and leadership. 
 
Not My First Rodeo is not a book about politics but rather a story about a life lived so far - with characters as richly textured and powerful as the Black Hills.  


I give Not My First Rodeo five out of five stars!


Happy Reading!

Kristi Noem is incredible and inspiring. I loved every word of every page of this story. Her ability to genuine, hard-working, dedicated sincerity through every page was masterful and I have shared this with many patrons who, like myself have really loved it. Admittedly, I didn't know much about her before reading this other than what I see on Social Media, and I already respected her for many of her views and platforms and her leadership. After reading, my admiration has exponentially increased and I just adore her! In fact, I am sure we would be great friends were we ever to meet! Bravo!

Not My First Rodeo is written by Kristi Noem. I love hearing about how people grew up and how they were able to get where they were. I have always really liked Kristi Noem. Seeing how she came from a hard working family. She is a dedicated wife, mother and Patriot. Kristi Noem was the first female governor of South Dakota - I am hoping to see her in the nation's highest office.
Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for allowing me to read a copy of this book - all thoughts are my own.

I loved this book! As a girl from Alabama I would love to live in Kristi Noem's South Dakota, well until it snowed. I had seen her on the news and read things about her and could not wait to read her book when I saw it. She is so sharp and smart. She has a heart for the people of South Dakota. I loved her stories of growing up on her families ranch, raising cows. I will never forget the story about the momma cow coming at her brother as they are trying to separate it from it's calf. I felt the pain she felt when her father died and she found his audio tapes that explained why he did the things he did on the ranch. She is a hard worker and has had a hard life on the farm. I predict she will do great things for this country. If you want to know what kind of politician she is you need to read her book and understand exactly where her faith in God, her family and her state and country stand in her life.

Kristi Noem is South Dakota's first Woman Govenor. This is her story, how she got where she is, the hard lessons learned on the way, and the wonderful story of her. This is not a political story, this is Kristi's story of life on the farm and ranch that her family owns. The day-to-day things that happen and the lessons that she learned. This is a wonderful story that needs to be read!

As I read this book and knowing very little about Kristi Noem, I enjoyed reading her memoir. I saw that from the start of her life, the foundation that was built. As she grew, she added to the foundation. She learned many valuable lessons, she met the challenges she has had to face, and the changes that took place as she grew up becoming the woman she was meant to be, at this stage of her journey.
As she said, this isn't about politics, it's her memoir, but politics has been part of her life. On so many levels, I could relate to her, because I did some of the same things she has done, I have many of the same values, and there were a lot of things that I didn't know that I do now.
I received an ARC from Twelve through NetGalley.

4 stars!

A heart warming and beautiful memoir. Ms. Noem is genuine, hard working and sincere. Her journey is emotional and endearing.

I voluntarily read an advanced copy.

Prior to reading this book, I knew very little about Kristi Noem. While I disagree with almost all of her political views, I found this book quite refreshing. Her humble beginnings on a farm in rural South Dakota has helped shaped into the woman she is today. I was intrigued almost from page one forward.

This book is a great memoir of life, sacrifice and not giving up but believing in faith. It starts with life growing up on a farm in South Dakota and the lessons learned in day to day farm life. Governor Kristi Noem tells about her childhood on a ranch, her father’s tragic death in a farm accident, and how she became involved in politics. The hard work and grit she learned growing up have helped her stand up for South Dakotans. A lot of life’s lessons she learned early and applies those principles to way she works in politics. It talks about how she transitioned into politics, faith and the struggles she faced fighting for things for her state.