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When, at age forty-six, Nancy Pelosi, mother of five, asked her youngest daughter if she should run for Congress, Alexandra Pelosi answered: "Mother, get a life!" And so Nancy did, and what a life it has been.
In The Art of Power, Pelosi describes for the first time what it takes to make history—not only as the first woman to ascend to the most powerful legislative role in our nation, but to pass laws that would save lives and livelihoods, from the emergency rescue of the economy in 2008 to transforming health care. She describes the perseverance, persuasion, and respect for her members that it took to succeed, but also the joy of seeing America change for the better. Among the best-prepared and hardest working Speakers in history, Pelosi worked to find common ground, or stand her ground, with presidents from Bush to Biden. She also shares moving moments with soldiers sent to the front lines, women who inspired her, and human rights activists who fought by her side.
Pelosi took positions that established her as a prophetic voice on the major moral issues of the day, warning early about the dangers of the Iraq War and of the Chinese government's long record of misbehavior. This moral courage prepared her for the arrival of Trump, with whom she famously tangled, becoming a red-coated symbol of resistance to his destructive presidency. Here, she reveals how she went toe-to-toe with Trump, leading up to January 6, 2021, when he unleashed his post-election fury on the Congress. Pelosi gives us her personal account of that day: the assault not only on the symbol of our democracy but on the men and women who had come to serve the nation, never expecting to hide under desks or flee for their lives—and her determined efforts to get the National Guard to the Capitol. Nearly two years later, violence and fury would erupt inside Pelosi's own home when an intruder, demanding to see the Speaker, viciously attacked her beloved husband, Paul. Here, Pelosi shares that horrifying day and the traumatic aftermath for her and her family.
The woman who has been lauded by her opposition as "the most powerful Speaker" ever shows us why she is not afraid of a good fight. The Art of Power is about the fighting spirit that has always animated her, and the historic legacy that spirit has produced.
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Creators
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Publisher
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Release date
August 6, 2024 -
Formats
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Kindle Book
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OverDrive Read
- ISBN: 9781668048061
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EPUB ebook
- ISBN: 9781668048061
- File size: 51113 KB
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Languages
- English
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Reviews
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September 2, 2024
Former House speaker Pelosi (Know Your Power) recalls in this uneven memoir how her values both guided her through momentous decisions and made her and her family a target. In a narrative largely focused on newsworthy episodes from her more than three decades in Congress—among them her opposition to the Iraq War, the hard-won passage of the Affordable Care Act, and the chaos of January 6—Pelosi shines when discussing “issues of conscience,” such as her longtime outspoken criticism of China’s human rights abuses. But this palpable passion fizzles during extended, eye-glazing recaps of wonky negotiations over legislation. Eschewing chronological order for a thematic greatest hits is partially to blame for the pacing problems. It also buries less consequential stories that humanize Pelosi, like how she sewed two panels of the AIDS quilt for friends (including one who “couldn’t wait to go to heaven to see John F. Kennedy”). For those looking for juicy political red meat, there’s enough here to satisfy (her disgust at Donald Trump leaps off the page—she was prepared to “punch him out” on January 6). But, despite some exceptions, including a harrowing account of the 2022 attack on her husband, Paul, this is short on insight into the private person behind the historic figure. Readers will be left wanting. -
October 1, 2024
The former Speaker of the House offers a front-row perspective on landmark legislation, showcasing her pivotal role across decades in the U.S. House of Representatives. Pelosi frames her bracing yet keenly instructive political memoir around key tenets of leadership, illustrating how she has effectively navigated global, domestic, and career challenges throughout her extensive tenure in the U.S. House. Setting the stage, Pelosi recounts the harrowing ordeal when an intruder, targeting her, brutally attacked her husband Paul in their San Francisco home. This incident starkly exemplifies the violent polarization that has intensified under Donald Trump's influence. And Pelosi has much to say about Trump, addressing not only his erratic and disreputable behavior during his presidency and the events surrounding the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection, but perhaps most consequentially his role in undermining constructive bipartisan legislation within both congressional chambers. She writes, "While some of us may have frequently disagreed over the years, there's generally far more mutual respect in our chamber than the public is aware of. That is, there was until recently, when Trump eroded that spirit and diminished bipartisanship." Distinguishing her narrative from typical political memoirs, Pelosi illuminates the intricacies of lawmaking and the diplomatic leadership required for legislative success. She details her experiences under six presidential administrations, from George H.W. Bush to Joe Biden, as one of the most powerful women holding government office, bravely confronting misogyny and Republican demonization throughout her career. She reflects on various seminal moments, from her opposition to the Iraq War--"the most destabilizing mistake in recent American history"--to her instrumental role in passing landmark reforms like the Affordable Care Act and the Dodd-Frank Act, tenaciously asserting, "I have won nearly all of the legislative battles that I started--and those that I haven't I characterize simply as 'not yet achieved.'" A shrewd portrait of political leadership, offering invaluable insights into wielding power effectively in Congress.COPYRIGHT(2024) Kirkus Reviews, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
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