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cemoses's review against another edition
4.0
This is an interesting, well-written, and pro Elizabeth Warren book. However, despite the very favorable portrait of Elizabeth Warren, the book provides a lot of information about her. Whatever, one thinks of Elizabeth Warren's politics she is an central figure in the history of women in politics. She was raised to be a housewife but is now a US senator and may run for US president. Like Bill Clinton she came from a humble Southern background where there was segregation. The book explains how she became a law professor and her involvement with trying to regulate the financial industry.
Even though the author skirmishes around much of the controversy around Elizabeth Warren, the book is a provocative and informative book about a major politician.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Even though the author skirmishes around much of the controversy around Elizabeth Warren, the book is a provocative and informative book about a major politician.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
annemariewellswriter's review against another edition
5.0
This was an incredibly depressing book in that it made it really clear how banks are predatory and really fucked over middle- and working-class people to benefit the ultra elite. It's so fucked up the way that corporations leech off the middle- and working-class. And it's depressing because it's going to continue to be this way because they can pay to play, and people cry socialism anytime Warren's name is mentioned because she wants the ultra-wealthy to pay their fair share, even though she's not a socialist, and what's really happening is that our system is rigged and we think it's normal because that's how it's always been. It's soooooo fucked up. I am so depressed.
littlemisslibrarian's review against another edition
4.0
This book is one of the most interesting non-fiction books that I’ve listened to in a while. Highly recommend the audiobook!
danicapage's review against another edition
3.0
Clean.
I learned a ton about Elizabeth Warren that I hadn’t previously known. Very well written and fair. I agree with other reviewers who said that it provided an in-depth coverage into her life, some of her scandals, and also her career.
I enjoyed learning more about one of the influential women of our days.
I suspect that some may rate this book based on politics or whether their beliefs align with Warren. For me, I am simply rating it based on the writing and coverage.
The writing was great. And I appreciate some of the other reviewers who covered it in more depth.
I learned a ton about Elizabeth Warren that I hadn’t previously known. Very well written and fair. I agree with other reviewers who said that it provided an in-depth coverage into her life, some of her scandals, and also her career.
I enjoyed learning more about one of the influential women of our days.
I suspect that some may rate this book based on politics or whether their beliefs align with Warren. For me, I am simply rating it based on the writing and coverage.
The writing was great. And I appreciate some of the other reviewers who covered it in more depth.
dwheeler88's review against another edition
2.0
I didn’t pay attention when getting this book from the library. I didn’t notice it wasn’t an autobiography. Written by Antonia Felix, this book is so dry. Boring and padded with useless information, I regret not buying Warren’s actual book.
I did learn a few thing about her life though. I learned her family struggled with money growing up. She was expected to marry and be a homemaker and just couldn’t do it. She had 2 kids and each kid, while she loved, clearly set back the career she wanted for herself. She taught law classes at many prestigious universities. She is energetic and enthusiastic. She spend decades researching and writing about bankruptcy and the dwindling middle class.
I feel like her story has the potential to be so powerful but this book is just dry, dry, dry.
I did learn a few thing about her life though. I learned her family struggled with money growing up. She was expected to marry and be a homemaker and just couldn’t do it. She had 2 kids and each kid, while she loved, clearly set back the career she wanted for herself. She taught law classes at many prestigious universities. She is energetic and enthusiastic. She spend decades researching and writing about bankruptcy and the dwindling middle class.
I feel like her story has the potential to be so powerful but this book is just dry, dry, dry.
jessicabrazeal's review against another edition
4.0
Another in the Democratic candidate pile. I think Elizabeth Warren is really smart and this book gave good insight into her background and the origins of her belief systems.
leafy_kunoichi's review against another edition
3.0
Antonia Felix is a fan of Elizabeth Warren's. So am I. (I was wearing a shirt that has "Nevertheless She Persisted" written on it the day I started reading the book.) The difference is I'm not writing a biography of her. The book is a glowing representation of Warren. Those who are opposed to her politics will not enjoy this book.
It is a very thorough representation of her resume but it lacks the elements of a biography that make the subject more real, more human. It doesn't show her for the complex and three-dimensional person she is. The ending is abrupt.
Overall, if you are a fan of Elizabeth Warren's, or someone that doesn't quite care for Jeff Sessions or Donald Trump, you will probably enjoy the book. If you prefer the other side of the political aisle, you will probably hate it.
It is a very thorough representation of her resume but it lacks the elements of a biography that make the subject more real, more human. It doesn't show her for the complex and three-dimensional person she is. The ending is abrupt.
Overall, if you are a fan of Elizabeth Warren's, or someone that doesn't quite care for Jeff Sessions or Donald Trump, you will probably enjoy the book. If you prefer the other side of the political aisle, you will probably hate it.
komet2020's review against another edition
5.0
This is a biography of one of the most remarkable political leaders in the United States to emerge in the past decade. Elizabeth Warren, born into a working class family in Oklahoma, is the embodiment of what has come to be known as the American Dream. By dint of sheer hard work and scholarship, she earned a university degree and a law degree, all while raising a family. She went on to teach law at Rutgers University, the University of Houston, the University of Texas at Austin, the University of Pennsylvania, and in 1995 was offered a position to teach law at Harvard, where she went on to become a tenured professor.
I first became aware of Elizabeth Warren in 2011 when her work in the establishment of what became the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau was highlighted by President Obama's naming of Richard Cordray to head that bureau. I was impressed with her knowledge of consumer and economic issues and when she decided to challenge in 2012 the Senator Scott Brown (R-MA) for the Senate seat previously held by Ted Kennedy and John Fitzgerald Kennedy, my interest in her began to grow.
Antonia Felix has done a wonderful job through this biography in making real the manner of person Elizabeth Warren is. Unlike a significant number of politicians on Capitol Hill today who came into elective office (many of them from privileged backgrounds) to derive some benefits for themselves by currying favor with the corporate lobbies that have an inordinate and excessive influence in the shaping of legislation relating to policies and practices in the marketplace, Elizabeth Warren won election in 2012 to the Senate as an outsider willing to work on the inside for the public interest. She has proven to be the real deal. She's got grit, spunk, compassion, and saavy to get things done. And now that she has declared herself a candidate from the Democratic Party for President of the United States in 2020, I am hopeful that Elizabeth Warren will prevail against her detractors and critics, while inspiring millions across the nation to support her campaign and make it successful.
I first became aware of Elizabeth Warren in 2011 when her work in the establishment of what became the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau was highlighted by President Obama's naming of Richard Cordray to head that bureau. I was impressed with her knowledge of consumer and economic issues and when she decided to challenge in 2012 the Senator Scott Brown (R-MA) for the Senate seat previously held by Ted Kennedy and John Fitzgerald Kennedy, my interest in her began to grow.
Antonia Felix has done a wonderful job through this biography in making real the manner of person Elizabeth Warren is. Unlike a significant number of politicians on Capitol Hill today who came into elective office (many of them from privileged backgrounds) to derive some benefits for themselves by currying favor with the corporate lobbies that have an inordinate and excessive influence in the shaping of legislation relating to policies and practices in the marketplace, Elizabeth Warren won election in 2012 to the Senate as an outsider willing to work on the inside for the public interest. She has proven to be the real deal. She's got grit, spunk, compassion, and saavy to get things done. And now that she has declared herself a candidate from the Democratic Party for President of the United States in 2020, I am hopeful that Elizabeth Warren will prevail against her detractors and critics, while inspiring millions across the nation to support her campaign and make it successful.
booksinthemountains's review against another edition
3.0
I received a reviewer copy of Elizabeth Warren by Antonia Felix from the publisher Sourcebooks in exchange for an honest review. I should also put a disclaimer in here that I love Elizabeth Warren and am currently volunteering for her campaign, so I am a huge fan so take my opinion as you will.
What It’s About: This book traces Elizabeth's life from her childhood up until her 'Nevertheless she persisted' moment in 2017. But it largely focuses on her life prior to her political life. This book is quite favorable to her.
What I Loved: I loved this book because I learned so much about Elizabeth's life and it is quite a life. It really illustrated her rise from a middle class family to a senator. As an academic, I was so touched by her passion for her work and how she went in expecting to see one thing and then realized how wrong she was and how that completely changed the trajectory of her life. This book introduces you to a persistent woman who whether you agree with her is motivated by trying to fix a problem she knows a lot about.
What I didn’t like so much: I wish that the controversy of native heritage had been more thoroughly explored, Felix provides context into the history and why Elizabeth is not alone in believing she had native heritage based on the history of Oklahoma. However, this discussion I felt like should have been a chapter and elevated more native voices. However, it still provides some information as to why this isn't the scandal the right makes it but would have been stronger with a bit more information. Also I have to say this book made me feel like I should have read Elizabeth's own memoir because I felt like the author wasn't necessarily challenging her subject.
Who Should Read It: People who vote. People who like Elizabeth Warren. People who want to learn more about Elizabeth Warren's career.
General Summary: A biography of Elizabeth Warren
What It’s About: This book traces Elizabeth's life from her childhood up until her 'Nevertheless she persisted' moment in 2017. But it largely focuses on her life prior to her political life. This book is quite favorable to her.
What I Loved: I loved this book because I learned so much about Elizabeth's life and it is quite a life. It really illustrated her rise from a middle class family to a senator. As an academic, I was so touched by her passion for her work and how she went in expecting to see one thing and then realized how wrong she was and how that completely changed the trajectory of her life. This book introduces you to a persistent woman who whether you agree with her is motivated by trying to fix a problem she knows a lot about.
What I didn’t like so much: I wish that the controversy of native heritage had been more thoroughly explored, Felix provides context into the history and why Elizabeth is not alone in believing she had native heritage based on the history of Oklahoma. However, this discussion I felt like should have been a chapter and elevated more native voices. However, it still provides some information as to why this isn't the scandal the right makes it but would have been stronger with a bit more information. Also I have to say this book made me feel like I should have read Elizabeth's own memoir because I felt like the author wasn't necessarily challenging her subject.
Who Should Read It: People who vote. People who like Elizabeth Warren. People who want to learn more about Elizabeth Warren's career.
General Summary: A biography of Elizabeth Warren