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lokroma's review against another edition
3.0
While not exactly a literary tour de force, the former journalist presents a straightforward account of Harris' rise to power, managing to keep his admiration for her under fairly subjective control.
jeremyanderberg's review against another edition
3.0
I didn’t know much about Harris before she became a presidential candidate. After reading Morain’s book, I came away with a deeper understanding of not only our first woman elected on a presidential ticket, but the forces that shaped her life and career too.
From young protester (her mom brought her to peace protests while still in a stroller), to Canadian misfit (she was in Montreal for her middle and high school years); from ambitious student at Howard U in DC, to young prosecutor in the Bay Area; from California’s Attorney General, to presidential candidate. Morain covers it all pretty objectively—though the positives are given more attention than the negatives, which I wish would have been explored a bit deeper.
Along the way, the reader gets a really interesting inside look at the unique makeup and politics of California itself, and especially of the Bay Area. Titans of the state’s power structures who pop up include Jerry Brown, Dianne Feinstein, Nancy Pelosi, Gavin Newsom, and ex-boyfriend Willie Brown (which was a weird relationship and I wish it would have been given more real estate in the book).
As with Osnos’ book on Biden, the intention here is definitely to be a short primer on the woman elected to one of the most powerful positions in America, for people who are now trying to get to know her as she takes office. The books seem similar in form and intent, though Morain covers Harris’ early life better than Osnos does Biden.
Again, I’ll just say that I just wish there was more. That book will come someday, though there’s certainly additional chapters to be written. To repeat what I said above: in the meantime, this is a good place to start. Rating: 3.5/5
From young protester (her mom brought her to peace protests while still in a stroller), to Canadian misfit (she was in Montreal for her middle and high school years); from ambitious student at Howard U in DC, to young prosecutor in the Bay Area; from California’s Attorney General, to presidential candidate. Morain covers it all pretty objectively—though the positives are given more attention than the negatives, which I wish would have been explored a bit deeper.
Along the way, the reader gets a really interesting inside look at the unique makeup and politics of California itself, and especially of the Bay Area. Titans of the state’s power structures who pop up include Jerry Brown, Dianne Feinstein, Nancy Pelosi, Gavin Newsom, and ex-boyfriend Willie Brown (which was a weird relationship and I wish it would have been given more real estate in the book).
As with Osnos’ book on Biden, the intention here is definitely to be a short primer on the woman elected to one of the most powerful positions in America, for people who are now trying to get to know her as she takes office. The books seem similar in form and intent, though Morain covers Harris’ early life better than Osnos does Biden.
Again, I’ll just say that I just wish there was more. That book will come someday, though there’s certainly additional chapters to be written. To repeat what I said above: in the meantime, this is a good place to start. Rating: 3.5/5
sallyluvs2read's review
4.0
I enjoyed learning more about Kamala Harris' political career. She worked hard, made some great choices and lots of mistakes to get where she is now. An empowering read to show women can do anything they put their mind to it.
jessmferguson's review
medium-paced
2.0
I’m not sure what the thesis was. Someone just decided some dollars could be made by writing a Kamala book…
chereadsbooks's review against another edition
3.0
A good starter/ scene-setter book on Kamala Harris.
lauraellis's review against another edition
hopeful
informative
inspiring
fast-paced
3.5
This is very much a book of the moment, written by a long time reporter after KH was nominated as VP candidate. It is informative and engaging, but not a book that will stand the test of time. If you only read me book about KH, read her memoir. For now, this is a good second book.
rosiecsilva's review against another edition
informative
medium-paced
2.0
I hate to say this but... Don't read this book unless you really want to know and understand more about California's laws and politics. It's full of names, dates, and confusing details that are honestly utterly boring if you are only interested in Kamala's journey.
I'm going to read Kamala's autobiography (The Truths We Hold: An American Journey) now that I know exactly what I want to read.
Unfortunately, this book wasn't for me. If you're not American you will probably feel like it's a book filled with scattered information, and it does feel overwhelming.
Having said that, I just want to mention that Kamala Harris is a badass!!!
I'm going to read Kamala's autobiography (The Truths We Hold: An American Journey) now that I know exactly what I want to read.
Unfortunately, this book wasn't for me. If you're not American you will probably feel like it's a book filled with scattered information, and it does feel overwhelming.
Having said that, I just want to mention that Kamala Harris is a badass!!!
txc9649's review against another edition
1.0
I WAS EXPECTING MORE OF THIS BOOK!!!!! Ughhhh it was a shame that this book is so boring. How could you write such a boring piece about Kamala??? I don’t get it. The book goes on and on with her family and her universe BUT NOT about her?? I lost track keeping up with names and dates that did not spark my interests!! Not recommend!
emmaarthur's review against another edition
3.0
This book was relatively interesting when it actually talked about Kamala Harris. But I found myself sitting through paragraphs and even pages where Harris wasn’t even mentioned almost as if the author is trying to make a word count by mentioning the backstories of every single person she has ever come in contact with. I’ll stick to the autobiographies from now on.