What do you think?
Rate this book
Can't Is Not an Option: My American Story
A rising star in the Republican Party shares her inspirational memoir of family, hope, and the power of the American Dream. Decades before their daughter surprised the nation by becoming governor of South Carolina, Nikki Haley's parents had a dream. Ajit and Raj Randhawa were well-educated, well-off Sikhs in the Punjab region of India. But despite their high social status, the Randhawas wanted more for their family-the opportunities that only America could offer.
So they left behind all they had known and settled in Bamberg, South Carolina (population: 2,500). As the first Indian family in a small Southern town in the early 1970s, the Randhawas faced ignorance, prejudice, and sometimes blatant hostility. Nikki remembers stopping at a roadside produce stand with her father, who always wore his traditional Sikh turban. Within minutes, two police cars pulled to make sure they weren't thieves.
But the Randhawas taught their children that they should never think of themselves as victims. They stressed that if you work hard and stay true to yourself, you can overcome any obstacle. The key is believing that can't is not an option.
The family struggled to make ends meet while starting a clothing business in their living room, eventually growing it into a multimillion- dollar success. At age twelve, Nikki started to do the bookkeeping and taxes after school. After graduating from college and entering the business world, she watched business owners like her parents battle government bureaucracy and overregulation.
Her frustration inspired her to get into politics and run for the state legislature. That first campaign, against an entrenched incumbent, led to racial and religious slurs and threats-but Haley, like her parents, refused to back down. She won on a promise to fight for reform, lean budgets, and government accountability, which is exactly what she did-much to the dismay of South Carolina's old guard politicians.
Soon she had a reputation as a conservative leader who could get things done. In the same state where her family was once ridiculed, she inspired a diverse grassroots following. In November 2010 she was elected South Carolina's first female governor and first nonwhite governor, and only the second Indian American governor in the country.
Haley's story, as told firsthand in this inspiring memoir, is a testament to the power of determination, faith, and family. And it's proof that the American Dream is still strong and true in the twenty- first century.
So they left behind all they had known and settled in Bamberg, South Carolina (population: 2,500). As the first Indian family in a small Southern town in the early 1970s, the Randhawas faced ignorance, prejudice, and sometimes blatant hostility. Nikki remembers stopping at a roadside produce stand with her father, who always wore his traditional Sikh turban. Within minutes, two police cars pulled to make sure they weren't thieves.
But the Randhawas taught their children that they should never think of themselves as victims. They stressed that if you work hard and stay true to yourself, you can overcome any obstacle. The key is believing that can't is not an option.
The family struggled to make ends meet while starting a clothing business in their living room, eventually growing it into a multimillion- dollar success. At age twelve, Nikki started to do the bookkeeping and taxes after school. After graduating from college and entering the business world, she watched business owners like her parents battle government bureaucracy and overregulation.
Her frustration inspired her to get into politics and run for the state legislature. That first campaign, against an entrenched incumbent, led to racial and religious slurs and threats-but Haley, like her parents, refused to back down. She won on a promise to fight for reform, lean budgets, and government accountability, which is exactly what she did-much to the dismay of South Carolina's old guard politicians.
Soon she had a reputation as a conservative leader who could get things done. In the same state where her family was once ridiculed, she inspired a diverse grassroots following. In November 2010 she was elected South Carolina's first female governor and first nonwhite governor, and only the second Indian American governor in the country.
Haley's story, as told firsthand in this inspiring memoir, is a testament to the power of determination, faith, and family. And it's proof that the American Dream is still strong and true in the twenty- first century.
245 pages, Hardcover
First published April 3, 2012
127 people are currently reading
718 people want to read
About the author
Nikki R. Haley
3 books154 followersNikki Haley is an American diplomat and politician who served as United States ambassador to the United Nations from 2017 to 2018. As a Republican, she previously served as Governor of South Carolina from 2011 to 2017 and in the legislature. Haley was the first female governor of South Carolina.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 89 reviews
April 18, 2012
Because Haley's term is so new, I found the first half of the book (chronicling her early life and her rise to the Governor's Mansion) much more compelling than the second half which outlined her agenda and accomplishments so far in office--a whopping 9 months! The first three chapters were enough for me to recommend three stars because I thoroughly enjoyed reading about Haley's childhood growing up in a small S. Carolina town as a member of the only Indian family. I found Haley's take on her and her family's experiences-both the good and the bad-to be refreshing. Haley and her family truly embody the American Dream and the effort to not see themselves as victims, but rather masters of their own fates. She does not demonize the south or America, nor does she harp on the state of race relations in either. She is truly an example of hard work and the entrepreneurial spirit that makes this country so great.
December 15, 2017
If this woman isn’t president one day I want a recount.
July 21, 2014
I think I didn't like this book as much as I wanted to not because it was poorly written but because Nikki Haley and I have different political leanings. And this is not the forum to discuss politics. So I won't go too into it here, except to say that I find it hard to take seriously anyone who gushes over Sarah Palin or who thinks that God has any thing to do with getting you elected to public office. God didn't vote. People did. That said, I admire Nikki for staying true to her beliefs and breaking through the old boy's club to become the first woman and Indian-American governor of South Carolina. Good for her, you know?
June 29, 2025
This was a quick and interesting read about Nikki Haley. I listened to the audiobook, which she narrates herself, and she did a solid job bringing her story to life.
I already knew a bit about her from her time as the U.S. ambassador to the UN and had a general idea of her views, but not much beyond that. So it was interesting to learn about her early life, her family, and how those experiences shaped who she is today. The book traces her path from childhood all the way to becoming governor of South Carolina, along with the values that guided her throughout.
The first half of the book is actually pretty inspirational. It shows how her upbringing helped her develop resilience and how she handled challenges that seemed way bigger than her at the time.
The second half focuses more on her political rise - especially her run for governor, and her views, mostly regarding economics.
Throughout the book, her views come through clearly, shaped by her experience working in her family’s small business and her background as a businesswoman.
She talks a lot about the need for government accountability and transparency, reducing government intervention, deregulation, cutting taxes, fiscal responsibility, improving government efficiency, and working for the people. She also touches a bit on immigration.
She advocates for free markets, and her views align well with classical liberalism.
Final Thoughts
All in all, it was an interesting and quick read, and I’d recommend it if you want to learn more about this remarkable woman who succeeded against all odds.
4/5
I already knew a bit about her from her time as the U.S. ambassador to the UN and had a general idea of her views, but not much beyond that. So it was interesting to learn about her early life, her family, and how those experiences shaped who she is today. The book traces her path from childhood all the way to becoming governor of South Carolina, along with the values that guided her throughout.
The first half of the book is actually pretty inspirational. It shows how her upbringing helped her develop resilience and how she handled challenges that seemed way bigger than her at the time.
The second half focuses more on her political rise - especially her run for governor, and her views, mostly regarding economics.
Throughout the book, her views come through clearly, shaped by her experience working in her family’s small business and her background as a businesswoman.
She talks a lot about the need for government accountability and transparency, reducing government intervention, deregulation, cutting taxes, fiscal responsibility, improving government efficiency, and working for the people. She also touches a bit on immigration.
She advocates for free markets, and her views align well with classical liberalism.
Final Thoughts
All in all, it was an interesting and quick read, and I’d recommend it if you want to learn more about this remarkable woman who succeeded against all odds.
4/5
January 2, 2020
I was interested in her bio because she was a US citizen from immigrant parents growing up in a small town in the south and how she used her experience growing up regardless of the discrimination and how she persevered to win a house seat in SC and eventually the governorship and now US Ambassador to the UN. You can see her will and determination in her role at the UN, and how she conveys the values of the US and our allies and pushing back in words or financially against those who don’t share our values of human rights and freedom. The book only goes through her first year as SC governor, but it tells of her foundation and the brutality of cutthroat accusations and lies used in political campaigns. Even if you don’t agree with her politics, it is still a good read for reaching your goals and how to persevere and overcome obstacles.
April 2, 2018
This book is a bit outdated now - a lot has happened for Nikki Haley since this was published in 2012. In 2015, she took down the Confederate flag that flew at the SC statehouse. And most recently, she’s making waves as the ambassador to the UN.
Haley’s life story is admirable and interesting and her chapters about growing up as an Indian American are the most interesting. However, the chapters on her time as governor, which was less than a year when this book was published, are premature. She has so much more to write about now.
Will she run for President someday? Maybe. If she does, she’d be a strong contender and a solid conservative to vote for.
Haley’s life story is admirable and interesting and her chapters about growing up as an Indian American are the most interesting. However, the chapters on her time as governor, which was less than a year when this book was published, are premature. She has so much more to write about now.
Will she run for President someday? Maybe. If she does, she’d be a strong contender and a solid conservative to vote for.
January 26, 2018
A great and unique American story by an amazing American. I have admired Nikki Haley and her work for a few years, so it was nice to learn more about her life and how she got to where she is. I would recommend this book for anyone interested in politics. For fans of Haley, it will be interesting to learn her backstory but for people who disagree with her, it will be nice to learn about a very honest and respectable person on the other side. I would love to see this leader as President, and if she does run I'll be ready to read this book again!
Read
April 13, 2012I wanted to learn more about a potential VP 2012 candidate. This book is worth reading to learn about her agenda & work she has accomplished but also understand that it is also a political book to make sure she is shown in the best light in case she does run for higher office.
January 16, 2017
The book was a super easy read. Very straightforward.
Read
January 26, 2020Inspiring story. Great woman. Haley 2024?
December 11, 2019
Great autobiography, written in 2012. Nikki Haley is one of my heroes. And I am reminded once again that most great people I admire did not spend their childhoods playing hours of video games and complaining about being a victim. Instead (as seen also in the life of Clarence Thomas), they learned to work hard, persevere when times are tough, live with integrity, and become self-sufficient. In addition, they studied history, especially the ideas on which America was founded, and work to preserve Constitutional values. Nikki Haley will have my vote if she runs for president someday!
“While we were having our primary in South Carolina, in Washington, Barack Obama was muscling his trillion-dollar health-care bill through Congress… He and his allies in Congress resorted to backroom deals, and constitutionally suspect tactics to force the bill through Congress. It was everything that was wrong with government on full display: the arrogance of the establishment, the bullying tactics of the feds, and the absolute disregard for the taxpayers who would be paying the bill.” -p. 122
“I quoted ...Margaret Thatcher: ‘Once we concede that public spending and taxation are (more) than a necessary evil, we have lost sight of the core values of freedom.’...It expressed so well what I wanted for South Carolina. I wanted the people to be awakened to a new role for their government. I wanted them to understand that their money is theirs-- government has no prior claim to it. I wanted them to understand that their freedom is theirs, that it’s not the gift of their government but of their creator.” -p. 202
“I am the proud daughter of legal immigrants- emphasis on the LEGAL. My parents played by the rules and waited their turn. They are offended- as am I- by those who try to backdoor the system and come here illegally. When we allow this debate to be about race, we lose sight of the principle that is really at the heart of it: the rule of law. We are a nation of immigrants, and we’re proud of it. But we are first and foremost a nation of laws. If we give up being a nation of laws, we give up everything this country was founded on...If pro-illegal immigration groups had a better argument for their policies, they’d be using it. The fact that they’ve resorted to calling their opponents names says everything about the policy ground they stand on.” -p. 213
“One of the great things about this country is that we understand that our neighbor’s ability to get ahead is tied up with our own. We don’t play class warfare politics very well here, and I love that. We don’t want to see government take more from ‘the rich’, because we all think we or our children can be rich someday, and in America we can.” -p. 234 (boy, things have changed in 7 years: we now have presidential candidates vowing to take more money from the rich to give to the poor)
“The modern welfare state has bred dependency, debt, and economic stagnation. We’ve lost a lot of that ‘don’t complain, do something about it’ spirit that my parents worked so hard to teach us as kids. In exchange for dubious promises of comfort and security, we’ve surrendered too much of our freedom to government.” -p. 235
“If Washington does such an abysmal job of managing its own finances, they why would anyone trust it to manage their health care? What’s more, if a bigger, more bureaucratic, more intrusive federal government were the way to fix the economy, we would never have a recession to begin with, because heaven knows we’ve had a lot of big, intrusive government. The American people grasp this at a very gut level because they have now witnessed it for most of their lives.” -p. 236
“While we were having our primary in South Carolina, in Washington, Barack Obama was muscling his trillion-dollar health-care bill through Congress… He and his allies in Congress resorted to backroom deals, and constitutionally suspect tactics to force the bill through Congress. It was everything that was wrong with government on full display: the arrogance of the establishment, the bullying tactics of the feds, and the absolute disregard for the taxpayers who would be paying the bill.” -p. 122
“I quoted ...Margaret Thatcher: ‘Once we concede that public spending and taxation are (more) than a necessary evil, we have lost sight of the core values of freedom.’...It expressed so well what I wanted for South Carolina. I wanted the people to be awakened to a new role for their government. I wanted them to understand that their money is theirs-- government has no prior claim to it. I wanted them to understand that their freedom is theirs, that it’s not the gift of their government but of their creator.” -p. 202
“I am the proud daughter of legal immigrants- emphasis on the LEGAL. My parents played by the rules and waited their turn. They are offended- as am I- by those who try to backdoor the system and come here illegally. When we allow this debate to be about race, we lose sight of the principle that is really at the heart of it: the rule of law. We are a nation of immigrants, and we’re proud of it. But we are first and foremost a nation of laws. If we give up being a nation of laws, we give up everything this country was founded on...If pro-illegal immigration groups had a better argument for their policies, they’d be using it. The fact that they’ve resorted to calling their opponents names says everything about the policy ground they stand on.” -p. 213
“One of the great things about this country is that we understand that our neighbor’s ability to get ahead is tied up with our own. We don’t play class warfare politics very well here, and I love that. We don’t want to see government take more from ‘the rich’, because we all think we or our children can be rich someday, and in America we can.” -p. 234 (boy, things have changed in 7 years: we now have presidential candidates vowing to take more money from the rich to give to the poor)
“The modern welfare state has bred dependency, debt, and economic stagnation. We’ve lost a lot of that ‘don’t complain, do something about it’ spirit that my parents worked so hard to teach us as kids. In exchange for dubious promises of comfort and security, we’ve surrendered too much of our freedom to government.” -p. 235
“If Washington does such an abysmal job of managing its own finances, they why would anyone trust it to manage their health care? What’s more, if a bigger, more bureaucratic, more intrusive federal government were the way to fix the economy, we would never have a recession to begin with, because heaven knows we’ve had a lot of big, intrusive government. The American people grasp this at a very gut level because they have now witnessed it for most of their lives.” -p. 236
January 26, 2024
Listened to on audible! I love a good autobiography!
February 16, 2022
I am currently living in a country where the King has no regard for his citizens and absolutely no one has any regard for women, so I needed to read a story like this. Government sucks and women rule!!!
April 10, 2020
The American dream is still alive and well.
A remarkably well written autobiography displaying the development and success of American values of family unity, hard work, persistence, and Integrity.
A display of overcoming, or better, not succumbing to color, nationality, nor religious intolerance in the community, the family nor personally.
A remarkably well written autobiography displaying the development and success of American values of family unity, hard work, persistence, and Integrity.
A display of overcoming, or better, not succumbing to color, nationality, nor religious intolerance in the community, the family nor personally.
December 30, 2018
I recognize this is an autobiography which can’t help being written with a bit of bias. That being said, I am very impressed with Haley. Though her parents were from well to do families in India, they left that behind and moved to Canada so her father could continue his education – her mother already had a doctor’s degree. After his graduation, the family moved to South Carolina to a deeply, racially divided town, with blacks on one side of the railroad track and whites on the other. The Haley family, being brown, were outcasts on both sides. That created a lot of obstacles, but Haley was raised to work hard to overcome whatever was blocking her – hence the title of the book.
Haley’s mother started a home business when Haley was four years old. Haley helped out cleaning & organizing. When she was twelve, she took over the responsibility of being the bookkeeper of her mother’s expanding business. After getting her degree in accounting, Haley went to work for a major company for two years to get experience and then returned to working for her mother’s company again, which by then had long since grown from a home business to a large import business. Then she took the challenge to run for a state office.
From an unknown, she managed to beat a strong incumbent. She was moving up, but then decided to fight corrupt practices. By shining a light on corruption, she won the battle, but the cost was removal from all committees and no support for any bills she sponsored. Having lost all power, she ran for Mayor against a strong incumbent. And won, becoming the first woman and first Indian mayor. Then Governor Sandford, who was going to be term limited out convinced her to run for his office, promising to give her his support. Again, she started as an unknown, but with Sanford’s help, she felt she had a chance. Then Sanford disappeared – his spokesperson said he was hiking the Appalachian Tail. Turned out, he had flown to Buenos Aires to have an affair. Instead of helping Haley, he became an albatross that her opponent used every opportunity to hang on her.
Roughly half of the book details her run to become Governor of South Carolina. I have been impressed with Nikki Haley since she appeared in the national news. I am even more impressed having become more familiar with the obstacles she has overcome in life and in the political arena. There is talk about her running for President. I would certainly support that.
Started; 2018.12.05 - finished; 2018.12.21
Haley’s mother started a home business when Haley was four years old. Haley helped out cleaning & organizing. When she was twelve, she took over the responsibility of being the bookkeeper of her mother’s expanding business. After getting her degree in accounting, Haley went to work for a major company for two years to get experience and then returned to working for her mother’s company again, which by then had long since grown from a home business to a large import business. Then she took the challenge to run for a state office.
From an unknown, she managed to beat a strong incumbent. She was moving up, but then decided to fight corrupt practices. By shining a light on corruption, she won the battle, but the cost was removal from all committees and no support for any bills she sponsored. Having lost all power, she ran for Mayor against a strong incumbent. And won, becoming the first woman and first Indian mayor. Then Governor Sandford, who was going to be term limited out convinced her to run for his office, promising to give her his support. Again, she started as an unknown, but with Sanford’s help, she felt she had a chance. Then Sanford disappeared – his spokesperson said he was hiking the Appalachian Tail. Turned out, he had flown to Buenos Aires to have an affair. Instead of helping Haley, he became an albatross that her opponent used every opportunity to hang on her.
Roughly half of the book details her run to become Governor of South Carolina. I have been impressed with Nikki Haley since she appeared in the national news. I am even more impressed having become more familiar with the obstacles she has overcome in life and in the political arena. There is talk about her running for President. I would certainly support that.
Started; 2018.12.05 - finished; 2018.12.21
August 3, 2015
I read this in anticipation of attending a speech by Governor Haley this fall here in Washington State.
The book is a very straight forward narrative of Governor Haley's life in SC politics. It's an easy read. For those of us who do not live in SC, the book is an excellent explanation of what's been going on in their state politics.
--I liked that she named a few of the SC politicians that were rude to her.
--I thought her explanation of why she got into her first race was weak.
--She does a good job of painting Sanford as a nut job, without being mean to him.
--She does an excellent job of defining the Tea Party
--I appreciate that she shares the credit for her successes with her family and team members.
The book is a very straight forward narrative of Governor Haley's life in SC politics. It's an easy read. For those of us who do not live in SC, the book is an excellent explanation of what's been going on in their state politics.
--I liked that she named a few of the SC politicians that were rude to her.
--I thought her explanation of why she got into her first race was weak.
--She does a good job of painting Sanford as a nut job, without being mean to him.
--She does an excellent job of defining the Tea Party
--I appreciate that she shares the credit for her successes with her family and team members.
November 29, 2019
Some thoughts to ponder!
Having lived in South Carolina during the time frame this book depicts, I had some problems identifying with it. But, that said it is more a commentary of my lack of paying attention to politics. I worked long hours to keep myself financially solvent and benefited from the Stimulus program she vilified, buying my own home as a single woman through a little known USDA program. Now that I live in Idaho, another strongly Republican influenced state, and am retired, I have the time and inclination to pay attention and ponder her 'Tea Party' positions.
If you consider yourself a compassionate Moderate, as I do, there is plenty of food for thought!
Having lived in South Carolina during the time frame this book depicts, I had some problems identifying with it. But, that said it is more a commentary of my lack of paying attention to politics. I worked long hours to keep myself financially solvent and benefited from the Stimulus program she vilified, buying my own home as a single woman through a little known USDA program. Now that I live in Idaho, another strongly Republican influenced state, and am retired, I have the time and inclination to pay attention and ponder her 'Tea Party' positions.
If you consider yourself a compassionate Moderate, as I do, there is plenty of food for thought!
June 6, 2018
This reads like an autobiography of someone who has higher office in mind. It has moments where a 1st generation female Indian-american gives her story, a true American one. But mostly this is a generic hard work, rise to success story that could be written (and has been) by near countless politicians. That said, in those moments where Gov. Haley "gets real" it's interesting. I hope when she's done with seeking higher office she writes another autobiography, this one where she really gets introspective. That's a book I can't wait to read.
April 23, 2018
A political 'get-ready' book, done not badly. I hope Haley is around for a while and maybe gets another chance to tell her story.
February 11, 2020
A rising star in the Republican Party shares her inspirational memoir of family, hope, and the power of the American Dream. Decades before their daughter surprised the nation by becoming governor of South Carolina, Nikki Haley's parents had a dream. Ajit and Raj Randhawa were well-educated, well-off Sikhs in the Punjab region of India. But despite their high social status, the Randhawas wanted more for their family-the opportunities that only America could offer.
So they left behind all they had known and settled in Bamberg, South Carolina (population: 2,500). As the first Indian family in a small Southern town in the early 1970s, the Randhawas faced ignorance, prejudice, and sometimes blatant hostility. Nikki remembers stopping at a roadside produce stand with her father, who always wore his traditional Sikh turban. Within minutes, two police cars pulled to make sure they weren't thieves.
But the Randhawas taught their children that they should never think of themselves as victims. They stressed that if you work hard and stay true to yourself, you can overcome any obstacle. The key is believing that can't is not an option.
The family struggled to make ends meet while starting a clothing business in their living room, eventually growing it into a multimillion- dollar success. At age twelve, Nikki started to do the bookkeeping and taxes after school. After graduating from college and entering the business world, she watched business owners like her parents battle government bureaucracy and overregulation.
Her frustration inspired her to get into politics and run for the state legislature. That first campaign, against an entrenched incumbent, led to racial and religious slurs and threats-but Haley, like her parents, refused to back down. She won on a promise to fight for reform, lean budgets, and government accountability, which is exactly what she did-much to the dismay of South Carolina's old guard politicians.
Soon she had a reputation as a conservative leader who could get things done. In the same state where her family was once ridiculed, she inspired a diverse grassroots following. In November 2010 she was elected South Carolina's first female governor and first nonwhite governor, and only the second Indian American governor in the country.
Haley's story, as told firsthand in this inspiring memoir, is a testament to the power of determination, faith, and family. And it's proof that the American Dream is still strong and true in the twenty- first century. (less)
So they left behind all they had known and settled in Bamberg, South Carolina (population: 2,500). As the first Indian family in a small Southern town in the early 1970s, the Randhawas faced ignorance, prejudice, and sometimes blatant hostility. Nikki remembers stopping at a roadside produce stand with her father, who always wore his traditional Sikh turban. Within minutes, two police cars pulled to make sure they weren't thieves.
But the Randhawas taught their children that they should never think of themselves as victims. They stressed that if you work hard and stay true to yourself, you can overcome any obstacle. The key is believing that can't is not an option.
The family struggled to make ends meet while starting a clothing business in their living room, eventually growing it into a multimillion- dollar success. At age twelve, Nikki started to do the bookkeeping and taxes after school. After graduating from college and entering the business world, she watched business owners like her parents battle government bureaucracy and overregulation.
Her frustration inspired her to get into politics and run for the state legislature. That first campaign, against an entrenched incumbent, led to racial and religious slurs and threats-but Haley, like her parents, refused to back down. She won on a promise to fight for reform, lean budgets, and government accountability, which is exactly what she did-much to the dismay of South Carolina's old guard politicians.
Soon she had a reputation as a conservative leader who could get things done. In the same state where her family was once ridiculed, she inspired a diverse grassroots following. In November 2010 she was elected South Carolina's first female governor and first nonwhite governor, and only the second Indian American governor in the country.
Haley's story, as told firsthand in this inspiring memoir, is a testament to the power of determination, faith, and family. And it's proof that the American Dream is still strong and true in the twenty- first century. (less)
May 25, 2020
I normally don't read these types of books and that was reinforced as I lost interest a quarter of the way through.
Nikki Haley first came to my attention when she endorsed Marco Rubio for president and the media floated her as a VP candidate. She later served as Ambassador to the UN and has another book out about her time there. More recently, she left Boeing in protest of the company requesting stimulus funds due to the Covid-19 crisis. This book takes place before all of that.
I chose to read this book out of curiosity about growing up Indian in racially divided South Carolina. I had heard the story about her entering a girl's beauty pageant in which they chose two winners, one white and one black. She was disqualified.
She comments on that story and shares more about how her parents came to the US, growing up in South Carolina, juggling where to fit in, as well as how to choose her own way while avoiding a rift with her parents. I wanted much more and insight from her parents and siblings, but that isn't what the book is about.
She shares how working at her mother's store as a kid showed her the perils of government intervention in business. She first gets involved in politics through a women's small business organization. The story of her first election to the state legislature was exciting, how she wins against a decades-long incumbent related to half the district.
After that, less exciting, still significant, but not a great narrative. There's her bill to get votes on the record, reining in government spending, scandal, nasty politics, running for governor, the beginning of her term and wrangling with the federal government.
Nikki Haley first came to my attention when she endorsed Marco Rubio for president and the media floated her as a VP candidate. She later served as Ambassador to the UN and has another book out about her time there. More recently, she left Boeing in protest of the company requesting stimulus funds due to the Covid-19 crisis. This book takes place before all of that.
I chose to read this book out of curiosity about growing up Indian in racially divided South Carolina. I had heard the story about her entering a girl's beauty pageant in which they chose two winners, one white and one black. She was disqualified.
She comments on that story and shares more about how her parents came to the US, growing up in South Carolina, juggling where to fit in, as well as how to choose her own way while avoiding a rift with her parents. I wanted much more and insight from her parents and siblings, but that isn't what the book is about.
She shares how working at her mother's store as a kid showed her the perils of government intervention in business. She first gets involved in politics through a women's small business organization. The story of her first election to the state legislature was exciting, how she wins against a decades-long incumbent related to half the district.
After that, less exciting, still significant, but not a great narrative. There's her bill to get votes on the record, reining in government spending, scandal, nasty politics, running for governor, the beginning of her term and wrangling with the federal government.
April 17, 2024
During her time in South Carolina politics, I think Nikki Haley served her constituents well. While I don’t align too closely with her beliefs, I think it’s very important to hear other perspectives and learn more about those you disagree with.
I started this memoir eager to learn more about Nikki and what shaped her to become who she is today. I love memoirs because of the storytelling, but this left me feeling sad for Nikki and sad that I spent the time listening to a book that was published as a fluff piece. It was very clear that this book was written as a way to get current and future votes — it lacks depth and honesty throughout.
Learning more about Nikki’s early years also left me very sad for her. While she tended to gloss over the racism her and her family experienced, it was evident that those experiences left her wanting to become more like her neighbors. I’ve been wondering why she never embraced her status as a daughter of immigrants and as an Indian, but learning about her early years helped explain why. I wonder if she knows that she changed herself to be more like her white neighbors?
I started this memoir eager to learn more about Nikki and what shaped her to become who she is today. I love memoirs because of the storytelling, but this left me feeling sad for Nikki and sad that I spent the time listening to a book that was published as a fluff piece. It was very clear that this book was written as a way to get current and future votes — it lacks depth and honesty throughout.
Learning more about Nikki’s early years also left me very sad for her. While she tended to gloss over the racism her and her family experienced, it was evident that those experiences left her wanting to become more like her neighbors. I’ve been wondering why she never embraced her status as a daughter of immigrants and as an Indian, but learning about her early years helped explain why. I wonder if she knows that she changed herself to be more like her white neighbors?
December 29, 2018
Fierce Fighter
Nikki Haley's memoir let's one really get to know how principled and fearless she is. She believes in small, fiscally responsible government and is not willing to comprise her values. She fights for what she believes in and doesn't back down just to do the easy thing.
I don't agree with all her politics, but I really appreciate how she fought as the U.N. Ambassador and stopped supporting morally suspect committees and resolutions to assuage or gain some advantage or more likely to continue status quo. Ruffling feathers is something Nikki is clearly accustomed to and is willing to battle heroically for her principles.
I found some of the book a bit repetitive at times but overall a refreshing breathe of air in a habitually dirty political ground hog day environment.
Nikki Haley's memoir let's one really get to know how principled and fearless she is. She believes in small, fiscally responsible government and is not willing to comprise her values. She fights for what she believes in and doesn't back down just to do the easy thing.
I don't agree with all her politics, but I really appreciate how she fought as the U.N. Ambassador and stopped supporting morally suspect committees and resolutions to assuage or gain some advantage or more likely to continue status quo. Ruffling feathers is something Nikki is clearly accustomed to and is willing to battle heroically for her principles.
I found some of the book a bit repetitive at times but overall a refreshing breathe of air in a habitually dirty political ground hog day environment.
December 9, 2019
I found Nikki Haley's book, "Can't Is Not an Option", to be very refreshing. The author's parents left India ,even though they were from a privileged family. As a reader, I found it very positive that she and her family believed in the American Dream. Nikki describes her childhood in South Carolina.
Being an Indian American, Nikki and her family were unique in this Small town. However, that didn't stop them from pursuing the American Dream of getting ahead. As an adult Nikki went into politics. She describes "The Good Old Boy Network", that exsisted in her home town. It was very refreshing to hear Nikki Haley say that, "government works for the people and not the other way around." Many of her political battles are described. My family and I recently met Nikki Haley at an event. She seemed like a lovely, gracious lady. In conclusion, I felt, I got to know her even better after reading her book.
Being an Indian American, Nikki and her family were unique in this Small town. However, that didn't stop them from pursuing the American Dream of getting ahead. As an adult Nikki went into politics. She describes "The Good Old Boy Network", that exsisted in her home town. It was very refreshing to hear Nikki Haley say that, "government works for the people and not the other way around." Many of her political battles are described. My family and I recently met Nikki Haley at an event. She seemed like a lovely, gracious lady. In conclusion, I felt, I got to know her even better after reading her book.
January 21, 2020
Good Read
I’ve always admired Nikki Haley so perhaps that bias colors my opinion if this book. This is mostly a biography of Nikki Haley through her first term as governor of South Carolina. I found it an inspiring read about how she overcame challenges and fought to succeed. I always found it interesting to see where her policy positions come from. I found myself understanding her better as a political person. The last part of the book gets a little policy driven though and I found it a little hard to finish.
I’ve always admired Nikki Haley so perhaps that bias colors my opinion if this book. This is mostly a biography of Nikki Haley through her first term as governor of South Carolina. I found it an inspiring read about how she overcame challenges and fought to succeed. I always found it interesting to see where her policy positions come from. I found myself understanding her better as a political person. The last part of the book gets a little policy driven though and I found it a little hard to finish.
December 30, 2023
I liked:
Ms. Haley's telling of her childhood and parents' stories. Immensely.
I liked less:
Her proud assertion that she literally renamed her adult boyfriend from his nickname, Bill, to his given name, Michael. I would like to hear his version of this story. To me, this rubbed the wrong way.
The second half gets more political, so it's hard to review it without getting similarly political. I'll say she made some very good arguments, but also did some things in her writing style that irritated me a little. And so, four stars.
Ms. Haley's telling of her childhood and parents' stories. Immensely.
I liked less:
Her proud assertion that she literally renamed her adult boyfriend from his nickname, Bill, to his given name, Michael. I would like to hear his version of this story. To me, this rubbed the wrong way.
The second half gets more political, so it's hard to review it without getting similarly political. I'll say she made some very good arguments, but also did some things in her writing style that irritated me a little. And so, four stars.
December 24, 2018
Young Indian female becomes governor.
Nikki Haley governor of s Carolina, having never heard of the author before, the first 1/2 of the book was really interesting. Struggles and victories experienced by her parents coming from India and settling in small town in the south US. 2nd 1/2 of book was a little repetitive and self-serving. Very interesting and am sure can see a future president.
Nikki Haley governor of s Carolina, having never heard of the author before, the first 1/2 of the book was really interesting. Struggles and victories experienced by her parents coming from India and settling in small town in the south US. 2nd 1/2 of book was a little repetitive and self-serving. Very interesting and am sure can see a future president.
January 31, 2024
Golly, I hate politics. I admire Haley’s hope and confidence that things will go her way, but I still respectfully disagree with some stuff. At least she gave a good behind schedule the scenes of campaigning. I did cry at the end, and now I’m high key depressed—politics suck! But now after reading Haley’s book, I have to demote DeSantis’s book. Never read a politician’s biography until now, so I’m starting to learn things.
December 9, 2019
I found the back story of Ambassador Haley to be fascinating. From being the daughter of immigrant parents to being the Governor of South Carolina. She outlines her political beliefs and how she strives to put them into practice. I plan to read her newest book and I am pleased I read this book first.
May 28, 2020
Interesting insights into “Good Ole Boy” politics and the harm they can bring. Interesting how the factions within political parties are sometimes as ardently against one another as political parties themselves.
I think you would need to like Nikki Haley to enjoy this book as a whole though. (That may go without saying). A lot just about her story of growing up and such.
I think you would need to like Nikki Haley to enjoy this book as a whole though. (That may go without saying). A lot just about her story of growing up and such.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 89 reviews