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Here, Right Matters  By  cover art

Here, Right Matters

By: Alexander Vindman
Narrated by: Alexander Vindman, Jacques Roy
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Publisher's summary

Retired US Army Lieutenant Colonel Alexander Vindman, who found himself at the center of a firestorm for his decision to report the infamous phone call that led to presidential impeachment, tells his own story for the first time. Here, Right Matters is a stirring account of Vindman's childhood as an immigrant growing up in New York City, his career in service of his new home on the battlefield and at the White House , and the decisions leading up to, and fallout surrounding, his exposure of President Trump's abuse of power.

0900, Thursday, July 25, 2019: President Trump called Ukraine’s President Zelensky, supposedly to congratulate him on his recent victory. In the months that followed, the American public would only learn what happened on that call because Alexander Vindman felt duty-bound to report it up the chain of command: that the President of the United States had extorted a foreign ally to damage a political challenger at home. Vindman’s actions and subsequent testimony before congress would lead to Trump’s impeachment and affirm Vindman's belief that he had done the right thing in the face of intense pressure to stay silent. But it would come at an enormous cost, straining relationships with colleagues, superiors, and even his own father, and eventually end his decorated career in the US Army, by a Trump administration intent on retribution.

Here, Right Matters is Vindman’s proud, passionate, and candid account of his family, his career, and the moment of truth he faced for his nation. As an immigrant, raised by a father who fled the Soviet Union in pursuit of a better life for his children, Vindman learned about respect for truth throughout his education and military service. As this memoir makes clear, his decision to speak up about the July 25th call was never a choice: It was Vindman’s duty, as a naturalized citizen and member of the armed forces. In the wake of his testimony, he would endure furious partisan attacks on his record and his loyalty. But far louder was the extraordinary chorus of support from citizens who were collectively intent on reaffirming an abiding American commitment to integrity.

In the face of a sure-fire career derailment and public excoriation, Vindman heeded the lessons from the people and institutions who instilled in him the moral compass and the courage to act decisively. Like so many other American immigrant families, the Vindmans had to learn to build a life from scratch and take big risks to achieve important goals. Here, Right Matters is about the quiet heroes who keep us safe; but, above all, it is a call to arms for those who refuse to let America betray its true self.

©2021 Alexander Vindman (P)2021 HarperCollins Publishers

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Amazing book by an American hero

I read this entire book in one day. Lieutenant Colonel Alex Vindman wrote such an important book about his experiences with his job in the WH that made him a national figure, and about his life in the US Army and coming from Ukraine. Lieutenant Colonel Vindman writes movingly about what makes America different from many places, about doing the right thing when it counts, my chief example of when Washington DC did behave that way when the criminal conduct of Nixon and corrupt figures in his administration, to have righteous loyalty to the constitution and rule of law, to hold a criminal president accountable and clearly that's not what's happened with the actions of the 45th occupant of the WH were criminal. And the consequences in Soviet Ukraine, where Vindman and his family came fleeing corruption and oppressive malfeasance went unchecked, coming to the US like so many Americans' families did, where right mattered more than any individual person in power and their political career. But I agree with Vindman that despite the terrible behavior of individuals in 2019 in relation to "Ukraine gate" I agree America can restore itself to being a place where right matters most again too. I am a graduate student studying public policy and eastern Europe and Russia/Eurasia and so like Lieutenant Colonel Vindman, I understand these places and the events of that scandal bc this what I focus on academically and professionally, and we as Americans should care about these places, and our relationships with these countries. The consequences of the author staying silent and letting the President's scheme in relation to Ukraine and Russia would have been catastrophic for Ukraine and catastrophic for America too. This entire country should be able to see that, and should feel grateful to Lieutenant Colonel Vindman for his brave decision regardless of whether they voted for Trump. Lt. Col Vindman rescued our national security with his self-sacrificing decision- period. He's a hero who deserves our gratitude and respect.

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37 people found this helpful

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Wonderful memoir

Excellent memoir! I watched his public testimony and was moved by it. The book provides the full back story. I found it inspiring for my own life and also an example of the many forms that service to our country can take.

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Alexander Vinman: America Hero

Colonel Vinman is so much more than his testimony to Congress. In this book, you learn about his wife, the baby they lost, the daughter they raised together, his twin brother, his father, and his history in Ukraine. You are taken behind the scenes to learn more about the Trump administration, and you understand why he is such a treasure to his adopted homeland.

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Ambassador Vindman sounds good

unconstitutional inept office holder POTUS comes face to face with ideals of John Hancock and et al

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A real life parable

This is necessary reading for anyone concerned about the condition/status of our democracy. It isn’t just Trump, but others in the official NSA chain of command, not to mention the sycophants in the U.S. Senate, who failed us. This book helped me understand the background behind the headlines.

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A True American Hero!

A true American Hero. Engaging story. I followed this Patriot from the beginning. It's been satisfying to see behind the curtain of events and to hear his story.

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An engaging, inspiring memoir. Outstanding!

This book gives a bird's eye view of tha happenings surrounding President Trump's "perfect phone call" and subsequent impeachment. It's also an inspiring biography of Lt. Col. Vindman, imparting the lessons he's learned at each stage of life.

In the end, my heart breaks for how he was treated by his beloved U.S. military, but he has definitely landed on his feet. He will be remembered favorably long after Trump's sycophants who tried to smear him are themselves cast aside.

This book also has one of the best narrators I have heard on Audible; a very easy listen.

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Yes, doing the right thing still matters!!

Doing the right thing is many times the hardest thing to do in Life, yet the only way to conduct one's behavior and life in supporting, contributing to the rule of law, ethics, and integrity needed to maintain a just society. A society based on truth and maintenance of human dignity and freedom.

Doing the right thing can have adverse effects on the individuals who risk their own personal outcomes when dealing with the bullies, tyrants and selfish bad actors of the world.

Lt. Col. Vindman paid the price in his military career and personal life for being a bold person of integrity upholding his oath to the Constitution and Duty to do the right thing. He should be honored by us all for contributing to the maintenance of our presently fragile democracy. He deserves our unwavering thanks. He is a true American Hero.

Dr. M. Marlene Godoy

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I'm all in

As far as I'm concerned purchasing a book by this man is a way of supporting him and his family. even if I thought the book sucked it would still be a good purchase. luckily it is a great story well written and read thank you Colonel for your service in uniform and continued service out

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No Good Deed goes Unpunished

It is truly unbelievable how such a good man who did the right thing could be punished by his country and the military. They should be ashamed. we teach our children to tell the truth and you have men like President Trump who get away with everything he does. let's hope there is justice in the end

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