A New Way: Embracing the Paradox as We Lead and Serve Paperback – March 1, 2017

Matthew Dowd is a paradox; in this case, defined as contradictory, yet interrelated elements that exist simultaneously. It is befitting that in his book, “A New Way- Embracing the Paradox,” he runs the gambit from youth, to adulthood, from entrepreneur to political operative, to the public persona we see weekly on television today. With his trademark, calm, pleasant, deliberate demeanor, he espouses politically savvy perspectives, with the skill of a diplomat and the undertones of a humble servant, wielding fairness, all while educating the public.His current day, public persona, defies the young man we find in the book, who, on a spiritual quest, braves the maddening streets of India and travels alone to other spiritual locations, searching for the meaning of life, per chance to glimpse the heavens. We read how he became ill in a foreign land and how the kindness of a stranger, left an indelible mark upon his soul.Early on, we learn about Matthew’s large family and the dynamics which prepared him for the insanity and spins of working with those flawed souls, who dare to rule and the few who actually lead. He tells the story of his “POP” and how he overcame fear and found himself, through the fodder of a water balloon. We learn that his humble beginnings taught him equality and humanity in the simplest of ways.I was captivated as he described his search in a spiritual world he sought to understand, looking for answers books cannot provide. His personal journey, woven intricately with his past, prepared him for what he would endure as a husband and a father, and leads the reader into the heart of loss and seeming failure. Matthews’ resilience and introspection, his uncanny ability to dig deep, to uncover his role in all situations and in all aspects of life and death, is admirable and moving. I found myself taking long pauses to “feel” the authors’ experience and to walk in his shoes, if only through my mind.The book moves from story to strategy as we learn more about this driven man and his rise up the ladder of politics and on to hobnobbing with the most powerful leaders in Texas and America. The repetitive use of the word “paradox,” often provided comic relief, while absorbing the context of a life lived with such passion. Matthew’s personal philosophy on branding and his practical, commonsensical tools for greater success, are delivered with immovable certainty. The reader is once again, captivated by his mixture of philosophy, psychology, spirituality and political prowess.I highly recommend this book to anyone navigating the waters of life in sinking ships or stalwart vessels.

Book Review of A New Way,I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It offers perspective on leading with your heart when making choices in our life. How to lead our own lives by our values. Matthew writes about how America is at a cross roads. he speaks to the importance of choosing our next leader. Not only the next President, but on a much more local level, choosing our leader closer to home and our respective states. I likened it to our own lives and how we each go through transitions or phases in our lives, and how we spend time or should spend time turning inward to decide which leader we want to lead us. Like how we decide to lead our own lives according to our values, how sometimes we stop and think about our next move forward.There are some very funny personal stories, sad stories and inspiring stores Matthew shares and I think most of us can relate to. This book really spoke to me on a personal level as I have been going through some difficult times and transitions in my life. One sentence from the book that resonated with me is “We have to spend time reflecting on ourselves, to see our fears clearly, to hold them, and then make decisions out of a sense of love.” Such great advice.This is an excellent book and I highly recommend it.

Matthew Dowd is an amazing person. He came from humble beginnings and reached the apex of career success in politics. Along the way, he used Socratic wisdom to navigate the ups and downs of life to come to where he is now politically, an Independent. But it’s not his career that is most impressive. It’s the way he leads by example. For example, on Twitter, Mr. Dowd reaches out and responds directly to Tweets, always with an uplifting, wholesome reply.In A New Way, Dowd walks a tightrope trying his best to balance the facts. At first, I imagined my review would follow along his vision of the Paradox, Republican vs Democrat, objective vs subjective, left brain vs right brain, etc. But in the end, I decided that what Dowd has done here is force us to examine our own beliefs. He points the mirror at us, but before doing so, he points it squarely at himself, in refreshing detail. (For me, this kind of autobiographical honesty is like meeting an A-list movie star in person. You see their humanity, but it’s still hard to separate them from their celebrity).Personally, as someone who started out Republican and turned Democrat, Dowd’s arguments in A New Way didn’t sway my current position. But after finishing the book, I realized that persuading me to change my position was irrelevant. Dowd’s thorough and candid exposition of his extraordinary first-hand experience in the highest levels of political office gives us what we need to truly decide. If democracy is to be saved in the United States, we must step back and examine the bigger picture. At times it was hard for me to read some of the passages. But it was worth it.Many of my European friends argue that our current system is very young and hasn’t been tested. I usually point out that our existing constitution is arguably the longest standing one on the planet. But in the end, I must agree, being heretofore graphically protected, the Internet and global economies have brought the U.S. closer and left us more vulnerable to enemies than ever in our relatively short history.Mr. Dowd has done us a favor by presenting his wealth of knowledge and wisdom – with almost no bias – so that we can explore our beliefs. He forced me to re-examine many of mine, clear out the cobwebs of my well-established positions. That is what we need to do at this time as we head to the 2020 elections and try to salvage what remains of the United States of America as we once knew it. Face the truth and choose country over party. If we do that, I have no doubt we will right the ship.

Not as introspective as we expected. Good read, tho

Lots of food for thought here. 10/10