Sen. Lisa Murkowski’s new memoir Far From Home has hit Amazon’s virtual shelves two weeks ago, but judging from early reviews, it’s less literary triumph and more fodder for political poundings.
The book, billed as a reflection on her career and life outside of Alaska, is averaging a lukewarm three out of five stars out of 46 reviews, with reader responses ranging from glowing praise to brutal takedowns. Murkowski, it seems, is as polarizing as figure as they come.
For every admirer hailing Murkowski as a principled moderate standing firm in chaotic times, there are two others slamming the book as a self-serving vanity project from a senator who long ago lost touch with her state.
One reviewer calls it “a memoir no one asked for,” while another praises it as an “authentic view of our confusing state of the union.”
Even among Alaskans, reactions are split — and the reviews reveal as much about the senator’s uneasy standing in today’s political climate as they do about the content of the book itself. It is not knowable that any of the reviewers have actually read the book, but it’s clear that they have opinions about the author.
Here are a few of the reader reviews, starting with the most brutal:
1.0 out of 5 stars A Memoir No One Asked For, From a Senator Who Forgot What “Home” Even Means
Reading Far From Home feels less like diving into the life of a stateswoman and more like being stranded in a tundra of mediocrity, political cowardice, and recycled platitudes. If Lisa Murkowski’s goal was to produce a book as forgettable as her Senate career, she’s succeeded with flying colors.
Murkowski opens her book with tales of Alaska — majestic landscapes, hardy people, and her “deep connection” to the land. One would think this might be a love letter to her state. Instead, it reads more like the passive-aggressive Yelp review of a failed guest at a wilderness Airbnb. She speaks of independence, but governs like a windsock in a snowstorm — always shifting, never standing.
The writing is wooden, uninspired, and oozes with the polished sterility of a D.C. PR intern trying to punch up a farewell letter no one will read. You’d expect insight into the inner workings of Congress, perhaps reflections on integrity or leadership. What you get instead is a lukewarm defense of being permanently noncommittal — a political Switzerland with none of the chocolate or precision.
Her attempts at “courageous centrism” are as hollow as her prose. Murkowski brands herself a maverick, but her book shows she’s more like the Senate’s beige wallpaper: technically present, occasionally noticed, but never essential. She pats herself on the back for being the last moderate Republican, all while playing both sides so expertly that you forget what her actual principles are — if any ever existed.
Even in recounting moments of national importance, her tone remains as bland and detached as her voting record. Roe v. Wade? Climate change? Jan. 6? Murkowski spins each moment into a PR-safe lullaby, carefully avoiding anything that might accidentally resemble conviction.
As for the title, Far From Home, it’s tragically accurate. Murkowski has been politically adrift for years — unmoored from her constituents, her party, and evidently, any literary talent. It’s less a memoir and more a 250-page justification for being a career placeholder.
In short: Far From Home is a tedious, self-congratulatory dirge from a politician who mistook indecision for leadership and a Word doc for a memoir. If you’re looking for political insight, moral courage, or literary skill — keep looking. Lisa Murkowski may have been born in Alaska, but based on this book, she left her soul somewhere inside the Beltway and never bothered to go back.
Avoid at all costs — unless you need a coaster for your lukewarm coffee.
Another 1-star review:
1.0 out of 5 stars Lisa Murkowski: Alaska’s Most Politely Disappointing Senator
If you’ve ever wondered what political cowardice looks like in a fleece vest and pearls, look no further than Senator Lisa Murkowski — Alaska’s long-reigning champion of “talk tough, vote soft.” This book offers a front-row seat to the slow-motion tightrope act of a politician trying to balance between pretending to resist Trump while still making sure she doesn’t upset dear leader.
This isn’t just a political autobiography — it’s a case study in how to keep a straight face while selling out your state. The book traces Murkowski’s latest pivot: positioning herself as a “voice of reason” while cashing in on book deals, media profiles, and whatever lobbying gig is surely waiting just offstage.
Spoiler alert: Alaska deserves better than a senator who markets herself as an independent maverick, but folds faster than a cheap camping chair the moment real pressure shows up.
Recommended if you like political theater, slow betrayals, and the word “concerned” used as a cover for spinelessness.
Senator Murkowski in her recent interview on All Things Considered says “But when people stop believing in the integrity of their institutions. That’s when I think there is fear about the fundamentals of our democracy.
It’s when you stop speaking up that those of us who are in a position to listen start to think, ‘Well, maybe your silence means you think everything is OK.’
And if you don’t think it’s OK. It is your obligation to speak up.”
But according to 5calls, she received thousands of calls to vote no on the Budget Reconciliation Bill, just from that one app alone. Yet she voted yes.
She tells us to get involved, tells us we need more moderates, and then gets bullied by Republicans to support Trump as he only helps the wealthy, not her constituents.
Why would you read an entire book by her, when she says one thing but does another?
Here’s one of the five-star reviews:
5.0 out of 5 stars A Must Read
This is a well written and authentic view of our confusing state of the union. Lisa is one of the few republicans who have the courage to stand against our current administration, knowing how destructive it is, and how it has become the driving force for the destruction of our democracy!
Thank You Lisa Murkowski
And then there was a 5-star review from Marilyn Romano, an Alaskan with political ties galore:
5.0 out of 5 stars Great leader for the 49th State!
Lisa is authentic, with a deep-rooted love of Alaska. This book reflects her values, her drive, and her passion for doing what’s right for the people of this great state. Read this book. You won’t be disappointed.
5.0 out of 5 stars Worthwhile, inspiring read
Just bought a second copy to share. In these stressful political times, this is great advice to encourage ordinary people to work for change. As an Alaskan, it brought back some laugh-out-loud memories of some of our crazier campaigns, too!
4.0 out of 5 stars A Difficult Balancing Act
I generally avoid writing reviews of books written by politicians. Usually, they are thinly veiled attempts to justify their own votes while frequently aiming for higher office.
The starkly divided reviews on Lisa Murkowski’s “Far From Home” illustrate my point. Some readers love it, and some readers hate it.
This review is from someone who doesn’t know Murkowski any better than the other 100 senators now serving. I was drawn to the book by an interview I heard in which she described her efforts at a write-in campaign when her Trump-backed opponent won the Republican primary in Alaska.
It is incredibly difficult to win a write-in election, especially one that is state-wide. The fact that Murkowski was able to do that is a major accomplishment and drew me to the book.
It is apparent that Murkowski loves Alaska. I’ve only visited as a tourist on a couple of occasions but can see how anyone would fall in love with this beautiful state.
Repeatedly during the book, she tells readers that the hard decisions she has made in her political career have been based on what is in the best interests of the people of Alaska. She seems to genuinely care about these residents most of whom are not affluent and frequently lack the basics of a lifestyle we take for granted in the lower 48.
I finished the book about the same time that the Senate voted 51-50 to pass the President’s Big Beautiful Bill. Vice President JD Vance cast the tie-breaking vote, but Murkowski was instrumental in holding out for special concessions for her state.
My question for Murkowski is how do you balance what is good for your state with what is potentially disastrous for the future fiscal stability of your country? Perhaps her next book will address that question.
But then there are the others…
2.0 out of 5 stars How can anyone be so confused…
Horrible book. Murkowski is obviously dazed and confused. That’s 3 days I’ll never get back.
1.0 out of 5 stars Nepo Murkowski
Lisa speaks of her nepotism via her dad, former Alaskan governor- the power he wielded her- she has now used this power against her constituents she promised to serve. Ms Murkowski admits in interviews -she wrote this book thinking Trump wouldn’t be re-elected. If she is so scared of the bully at the top- she needs to step aside so younger generation can do what she is unable to do.
1.0 out of 5 stars Far from Republican more like it.
As an Alaskan resident, I would not waste a dime on this book. Murkowski’s flip flopping and predominantly siding with democrats makes her a RINO, not a moderate. We Alaskans do not trust her and can’t wait to eliminate ranked choice voting so incumbents like her do not get elected again and again so easily.
Not wasting any time reading her book 📖. These reviews are all I need to see, esp. of those who clearly took – wasted – the time to read thru it.
Why is there no option for giving this book and our ‘principled moderate’ nepo senator a -5 star rating? Look, she should never have been appointed by her father to fill his own seat after he had resigned from the U.S. Senate to become Alaska’s governor, and she certainly should have retired once she had lost the primary election in 2010. So, I will pass on reading this memoir, and will instead read something more important, such as the memoir of a truly great political ‘leader’… someone like Vice-President Kamala Harris. (Sarc – if anyone needs this hint.)
Nepotism.
Mediocre.
Struggled to pass the bar.
If it wasn’t for her Daddy, she’d be a bitter cat lady on head meds.
Major Murkowski fatigue….
Thank you. I love brutal precision.
What makes you think she’s *not* “a bitter cat lady on head meds.”?
That would actually explain a lot!
Perhaps the book is part of her application to run as a Democrat next time.
A “principled moderate?” What is that? Someone who stands firm on the ability to go either way?
I had to pop over to ‘zon and take a look at the reviews myself. Not for specific text, but for tone.
Conclusion: (general impression, I will not cite specific reviews)
The five star reviews do not provide any indication they actually read the book. Or even cracked the cover of it. For the most part, they are just praising Murkowski for being a moderate. There is very little written on the actual content of the book.
On the other hand, the lower ranked reviews, one/two stars, indicate they actually have read the book. They talk to specific parts, or the overall feel of the book.
.
If I were to hazard a guess, I would say rely on the low ranked reviews for an honest assessment of the value.
If she isn’t polarizing then you’ve done a bang up job of trying to make her that way Suzanne. You must be so proud.
Most of us haven’t needed Suzanne to point out the obvious. My loathing goes back to the 90s.
She was polarizing. Suzanne had nothing to do with it.
Next AK Senator in 2028 – Anyone but L. Murkowski.
I drew my conclusion about her a long time ago. No need to explain it.
That is one way to funnel dark money into a Politician’s account. Let’s see if it hits the NYT Best Seller List. According to Bernie Sanders, the Socialist, he became a wealthy Socialist by writing two best sellers. LOL
Does the book go into why she lied to Alaskans in 2010 about agreeing to abide by the primary results, only for Joe Miller to spank her anorexic hiney? Then proceed with a write-in campaign where virtually any spelling remotely close to her name was allowed?
I despise this bitc, um, woman.
I fervently hope this is her “swan song” and she withdraws from the ‘28 senate race.
We told Lisa to hold back on her book and release it after she gets beat in 2028. We begged her on bended knees. In fact, now I need knee replacement from the pain. We also told Lisa to come and dry out for a spell at our vacation home in Palm Desert. She needs a little sun and warmth in her otherwise drenched, gloomy life. Heck, House Husband visits often in his shorts and flip flops, and now we can’t get rid of him.
I love your’s and Nancy’s new private digs in Palm Desert. After your huge pension funds from the state and the feds are gone, I’d appreciate living here for free. Lisa can move to Wrangell with her scrawny proceeds from her book.
Very sad commentary, on a political ‘windsock.’ If she had any conviction, she’d stand up and proclaim what she truly is: a liberal.
At least she picked an appropriate title.
She cant be any further away from true Alaskan values as proven with her ignorant voting with Democrats on everything important to us from disbelieving Kavanaugh to her vote to impeach Trump on a phony collusion sham.
She belongs in a Delaware beach chair next to Joe wiping his rear and letting him sniff her hair.
Good ole money laundering book deals.
As someone who is supposed to be ‘very busy’ in service to the public, one has to wonder how they have the time to write a book during the most tumultuous “assault on our democracy”. Almost as if Lisa is not actually serving her the public, the state, or her country, but only in service to herself and her own special interest groups.
Only the truly ignorant will believe the narrative that she actually cares about anyone else. I guess the sheeple will sheeple