Review of Walking With the Sandman, by Bernie Sanders (ISBN:978-0393609195

SYNOPSIS

In this first volume of a planned 20 volume series, U.S. Senator, Congressman, mayor, and former Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders writes about his life, from his infancy through the second grade. 

This insightful memoir reveals the humble beginnings of Senator Sanders, and the events that helped to shape him into one of the most influential public figures of our times. 

Future volumes in this series will focus on the later parts of his life and career, culminating in volume 20, which is planned as an epic poem co-written by Sanders and Lin-Manuel Miranda, author of the award-winning Broadway sensation, Hamilton.

REVIEW

I was floored by this book. There is no other way to say it. I’ve seen so many pictures of Bernie Sanders that his face is permanently etched into my mind. So, reading the first eight chapters, which follow Sanders from his time in the womb through his first six months as an infant, made me want to hide in my bed under the covers. I kept picturing Bernie Sanders in diapers! Ugh! Now THAT image is seered into my mind’s eye! 

As difficult as it is to believe, Sanders claims to remember at least 8 of his 9 months in the womb. He especially liked the oatmeal that his mother ate, but kicked a lot when she had grapefruit. He learned to count on his fingers, toes and umbilical cord, which really impressed him at the time. This put him ahead of the other infants, but caused him emotional strife when he tried to count to eleven after leaving the womb.

It was during the first few months after birth that he discovered that he might be a Socialist. I found myself crying when I realized that he would be carrying this secret and the associated pain for the next nine decades before starting his political career. 

Despite the roller-coaster ride of emotions that the book brought me, by chapter 87 I was getting a bit tired of hearing his complaints about needing more food, wanting his diaper changed, and needing to be burped. Hearing about how much he loved his “binkie” was also a bit wearing, especially when it was revealed that he was in second grade at the time.

Some years appear to be absent from the book. Those years are usually preceded by some episode involving money, or of him desperately wanting more toys.

CONCLUSIONS

I took two weeks to come up with a rating for this book. This is one of the most profound, yet annoying books that I’ve ever read. Though I celebrated when I finally finished chapter 193, I found myself looking forward to the next 19 volumes in the series with eagerness.

At $59.95, this book is a bit expensive, especially as it is only 72 pages long. However, in retrospect I find that I definitely got great value for my money. 

With all of this in mind, I’m giving this book 5 out of 5 stars, mostly based on the expected greatness of volume 20.

Until next time,

Anne Stallings, for Novel Premise Book Reviews