John Fetterman's memoir, Unfettered, stands apart from typical political books, offering a raw and unvarnished account of his struggles with mental health, disillusionment with political life, and complicated relationship with his own party. The book eschews the usual optimism and self-promotion, instead delving into Fetterman's experiences with depression, including his hospitalization and the impact on his family. Fetterman is candid about his disdain for the Senate, his outsider persona, and his sense of alienation from both political conventions and the communities he serves.

While the memoir touches briefly on his political positions, it is more focused on his personal battles and the broader decline of Rust Belt towns like Braddock, Pennsylvania. Fetterman reflects on masculinity, vulnerability, and the challenges of public life, often with a brooding tone. The result is a book that is as much about personal survival as it is about politics, dedicated to anyone struggling with depression.