Rush Limbaugh: An Army of One

Written by Zev Chafets

Narrated by Erik Synnestvedt

"I know the liberals call you 'the most dangerous man in America,' but don't worry about it, they used to say the same thing about me. Keep up the good work."
-Ronald Reagan in a letter to Rush Limbaugh, December 11, 1992

Do you remember your first time?

People tend to remember the moment they first heard The Rush Limbaugh Show on the radio. For Zev Chafets, it was in a car in Detroit, driving down Woodward Avenue. Limbaugh's braggadocio, the outrageous satire, the slaughtering of liberal sacred cows performed with the verve of a rock-n-roll DJ-it seemed fresh, funny and completely subversive. "They're never going to let this guy stay on the air," he thought.

Almost two decades later Chafets met Rush for the first time, at Limbaugh's rarely visited "Southern Command." They spent hours together talking on the record about politics, sports, music, show business, religion and modern American history. Rush opened his home and his world, introducing Chafets to his family, closest friends, even his psychologist. The result was an acclaimed cover-story profile of Limbaugh in The New York Times Magazine.

But there was much more to say, especially after Limbaugh became Public Enemy Number One of the Obama Administration. At first Limbaugh resisted the idea of a full-length portrait, but he eventually invited Chafets back to Florida and exchanged more than a hundred emails full of his personal history, thoughts, fears and ambitions. What has emerged is an uniquely personal look at the man who is not only the most popular voice on the radio, but the leader of the conservative movement and one of the most influential figures in the Republican Party.

While Limbaugh's public persona is instantly recognizable, his background and private life are often misunderstood. Even devoted Dittoheads will find there's a lot they don't know about the self-described "harmless little fuzzball" who has, over the years, taken on the giants of the mainstream media and the Democratic Party-from Bill and Hillary Clinton to Barack Obama-with "half his brain tied behind his back, just to make it fair." Chafets paints a compelling portrait of Limbaugh as a master entertainer, a public intellectual, a political force, and a fascinating man.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Ascent Audio
• Release date: May 25, 2010
• ISBN: 9781596595781

Zev Chafets

Zev Chafets is the author of ten books, including A Match Made in Heaven, Members of the Tribe, and The Devil's Night. He is a frequent contributor to the New York Times Magazine, among many other periodicals, a former columnist for the New York Daily News, and the founding editor of Jerusalem Report. He lives in Westchester, New York, with his wife and children.

Reviews for Rush Limbaugh

[david adams · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

It is a great review of events I remember and alot I had forgotten, If you like Rush, its will be a great listen.

[knightlight777 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Not a big fan, well not really a fan at all but not a hater either. I thought I would check out this bio on the El Rushbo. This author took a more or less neutral stance on Rush not bashing him or licking his boots. Kind of a middle or the road take. He highlights his enormous influence on the political scene while pointing out his foibles as a human.Much of it gets caught up in the political squabbles that Rush so relishes and really makes him what he is. The talk back in your face that appeals to quite a number out there. The personal side of the guy's life is hit at in small doses and paints a fellow who is just as controversial there and a strange mix particularly in his love life.So Rush is portrayed here as the political animal that he is, and will be. The material is dated as it ends about half way through Obama's tenure. An update with the Trump era would be a good sequel.

[mirkwood-1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

While I don't always agree with him, I have to say, I really love Rush Limbaugh.
This biography was a nice tribute by a guy who also doesn't always agree with him but appreciates him.
Love him or hate him, you can't ignore him.