This Is Herman Cain!
| Company type | Autobiography |
|---|---|
| Industry | Publishing |
| Founded | October 4, 2011 |
| Products | Book |
This Is Herman Cain!: My Path to the White House, the autobiography authored by Herman Cain, was published on October 4, 2011, through Threshold Editions. The book achieved a position within the top 10 best sellers on Amazon.com.
Origin and synopsis
Initially lacking familiarity with topics concerning Israel, Cain partnered with Gerald and Deborah Strober—writers of Israel at Sixty: An Oral History of a Nation Reborn—to create This Is Herman Cain! My Journey to the White House.
Frank Breeden, Cain’s literary representative, explained that the filing of Cain's exploratory committee in January accelerated the book’s release to leverage the campaign-related market interest.
The narrative traces Cain’s ascent from impoverished beginnings in the segregated South to executive roles at Coca-Cola Co., Pillsbury, Burger King, culminating as CEO of Godfather's Pizza. Additionally, it presents his strategic plan for the initial 90 days if he were to assume the presidency. The memoir blends personal history with policy proposals designed to reinvigorate the nation’s economic and social direction.
Response
Vick Mickunas from the Dayton Daily News observed that the book swiftly entered Amazon.com's top ten best-seller rankings, reflecting Herman Cain's growing prominence within a crowded Republican primary field.
According to ABC News, the autobiography recounts Cain’s rise from modest origins in the segregated South to leadership positions at Coca-Cola, Pillsbury, Burger King, and Godfather's Pizza. It also addresses his battles with stage 4 liver and colon cancer and outlines his agenda for the first three months of a potential Cain presidency.
Paul Bedard of U.S. News & World Report described Cain’s presidential blueprint as more emblematic than detailed, emphasizing a simplified inauguration and prioritizing swift executive actions over conventional formalities.
Joshua R. Weaver from The Root highlighted that this autobiography extends beyond a campaign platform, offering a nuanced perspective on Cain’s multifaceted personal and professional experiences as a prominent business figure and presidential hopeful.
Don Gonyea pointed out that Cain’s extensive travel itinerary focused more on promoting his book than campaigning in early primary states, fueling speculation about intentions outside politics such as media ventures. Cain refuted these claims, attributing his focus to strong book sales despite surrounding controversies.
Elise Lelon of the Huffington Post characterized the memoir as an honest self-portrait portraying Cain as an anti-establishment figure who dismisses conventional political rhetoric in favor of genuine leadership rather than rehearsed speeches.
Katrina Trinko from the National Review remarked on Cain’s portrayal of himself as "Barack Obama's worst nightmare," drawing comparisons to the biblical David overcoming formidable challenges—a metaphor encapsulating his 2012 presidential aspirations.
Impact
Critics argued that Cain’s promotional tour for This is Herman Cain! My Journey to the White House detracted from his presidential campaign efforts. Naureen Khan and Alex Roarty of The Atlantic noted that instead of concentrating on early voting states like Iowa and New Hampshire, Cain prioritized book signings at Barnes & Noble stores in Texas and Washington D.C., although his tour did include stops in pivotal primary states such as South Carolina and Florida.
By November 22, 2011, sales of the book had reached 30,000 copies.
Lawsuit
Adventure Advertising initiated legal action against Cain and Simon & Schuster in the U.S. District Court in Atlanta, alleging unauthorized use of a photograph featured on the book's cover. The complaint asserted that the image was originally created exclusively for Cain’s political campaign and that Adventure Advertising held the copyright ownership.