Summary of *Unbelievable: My Front-Row Seat to the Craziest Campaign in American History*, by Katy Tur

Dive into Katy Tur's 'Unbelievable' for a wild ride through the chaotic 2016 Trump campaign, packed with humor, insight, and political absurdity.

Welcome to the rollercoaster that is Unbelievable, a book by Katy Tur that pulls you right into the wildest political circus this side of the 21st century-yes, we're talking about the infamous 2016 Trump campaign. If you ever wanted to see democracy at its most bizarre, buckle up and grab your popcorn, because Katy is about to take you on a front-row ride through chaos, controversy, and a whole lot of "Did she really just say that?"

Katy Tur, a journalist with a knack for covering disasters on live TV (and not just the weather), finds herself reporting on the campaign of a certain orange-tinted billionaire. Spoiler alert: it's not a standard political platform. The campaign kicks off with all the grace of a baby giraffe on roller skates, featuring rallies that could double as reality TV episodes. There's shouting, there's confusion, and yes, there's a lot of hair.

Our fearless reporter finds herself embroiled in a world where facts are optional, and the "truth" is as slippery as a greased pig at a county fair. As she tracks Trump across the battleground states, from the relentlessly enthusiastic fans to the over-the-top rivals and various internet memes that sprout like dandelions, you can practically hear her sighing, "What fresh hell is this?"

Let's talk about the peculiar cast of characters. There's Trump himself-part businessman, part entertainer, and all chaos. Then there are the supporters who resemble a mix of a rock concert crowd and an apocalypse prepper convention. Not to forget the ever-relevant media circus trying to make sense of the whirlwind. Katy captures every moment of awkward banter, bizarre speeches, and the Twitter phenomenon that is Donald Trump in all its satirical glory.

And let's not ignore the spoils of victory and defeat in this game of high-stakes poker. Katy, who initially finds herself being a journalist to cover a candidate who is more meme than man, evolves throughout the campaign to become not just an observer but a participant-because when you're single-handedly reporting on history, you've got to take a front-row seat, even if it means getting a little dirty.

As Tur recounts being the object of both adoration and disdain, she narrates the uncanny moments that would make anyone question their career choices. "Why am I making friends (and enemies) with supporters who think the Earth is flat?" she asks repeatedly. But instead of packing her bags and heading for the hills, she digs in, determined to document the madness unfolding with the fervor of a true journalist.

Eventually, we witness her grappling with the aftermath-a devastated nation, a polarizing figure in the White House, and a cause for reflection about media dynamics in politics. Spoiler alert for those living under a rock: the election doesn't end up how everyone thought it would, and Tur's observations raise essential questions about truth, trust, and the state of American journalism in the age of misinformation.

In conclusion, Unbelievable is less of a memoir and more of a satirical ride through the stuff of nightmares-if you've ever wondered what it's like to report on a tornado while standing right in the eye of it. Katy Tur gives us a behind-the-scenes look filled with wit, wisdom, and perhaps just enough absurdity to keep you leaning forward, wondering what on earth this country is up to next. And trust me, after reading this, you'll never look at a campaign rally the same way again.

Maddie Page

Classics, bestsellers, and guilty pleasures-none are safe from my sarcastic recaps. I turn heavy reads into lighthearted summaries you can actually enjoy. Warning: may cause random outbursts of laughter while pretending to study literature.