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dshirle7's review against another edition
informative
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
4.25
This was a real page-turner, an insight into Pelosi's strategy and methods of governance that doubles as a captivating saga of 30+ years of American politics told from one woman's perspective in the events. This more a biography than a political analysis...it's not "The Art of War According to Nancy Pelosi", but I got enough of that political analysis to be satisfied. I walk away from this book with the understanding that Pelosi is one of the most underrated and overlooked figures in politics--by far the most powerful woman in the history of the United States, and probably the most powerful Speaker ever, too. I particularly enjoyed the early chapters, as they contained the most information I did not already know (such as her vehement response to the Tiananmen Square massacre, including staging public protest in China).
Readers might dislike how the author almost unwaveringly endorses Pelosi's actions (the only chapter that even comes across as critical is Chapter 22). However, I did not mind this, because often I found myself approving of Pelosi's actions alongside the author.
Readers might dislike how the author almost unwaveringly endorses Pelosi's actions (the only chapter that even comes across as critical is Chapter 22). However, I did not mind this, because often I found myself approving of Pelosi's actions alongside the author.
lovegirl30's review against another edition
4.0
Enjoyed learning more about Pelosi. She has lived such an interesting life. I just hated the writing style. It read like a juvenile school report rather than a meaningful nonfiction account of Madam Speaker.
murphykat's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
tense
medium-paced
4.75
esburns18's review against another edition
2.0
At the end of Pelosi, Molly Ball stated that she is neither a conservative nor a Republican, a liberal nor a Democrat. You would not know it from how she wrote the book. Everything is so biased in favor of Pelosi that any reader would guess that Ball is a Democrat, through and through.
Pelosi put on a coat? Revolutionary. Earth-shattering.
A bill put forth by Democrats passed? All thanks to Pelosi's work. Every other Democrat in the caucus was simply trying to undermine her.
As other reviewers have commented, this was essentially a Pelosi fan fiction. Ball wrote about her the way that a ten year old would write to their favorite baseball player. She claimed to understand that Pelosi has faults, like any other human being, but brushed over those faults in favor of another paragraph of adjectives about Pelosi's star power.
The world needs a fair, accurate Pelosi biography. This was not the biography that we need. While Pelosi has not always been on the right side of history or treated others fairly, she is not the martyr that Ball paints her as. Such a polarizing figure does not deserve an equally polarizing book.
Pelosi put on a coat? Revolutionary. Earth-shattering.
A bill put forth by Democrats passed? All thanks to Pelosi's work. Every other Democrat in the caucus was simply trying to undermine her.
As other reviewers have commented, this was essentially a Pelosi fan fiction. Ball wrote about her the way that a ten year old would write to their favorite baseball player. She claimed to understand that Pelosi has faults, like any other human being, but brushed over those faults in favor of another paragraph of adjectives about Pelosi's star power.
The world needs a fair, accurate Pelosi biography. This was not the biography that we need. While Pelosi has not always been on the right side of history or treated others fairly, she is not the martyr that Ball paints her as. Such a polarizing figure does not deserve an equally polarizing book.
miguelf's review against another edition
3.0
This is a fairly conventional and fawning bio of the infamous Speaker. Unfortunately the author’s treatment unintentionally comes across as more ‘Veep’ than what she was going for, which appeared to be ‘Ms. Smith Goes to Washington”. It’s too bad as an incisive biography could certainly have been drawn here but instead it paints a power player who is cited as perhaps making one mistake in her long career. Interesting that though her husband is a multi-millionaire investment manager, when the topic of the ’08 meltdown arrives Pelosi is as surprised as anyone on Capitol Hill, as there was not a mention up to that point of putting forward any legislation directed at financial legislation or Wall Street or anything else that would attempt to put a dent in income inequality. But time and again we learn about her ability to wrangle her Caucus and get the votes for whatever other piece of legislation was being put through the sausage making machine in DC.
dougsasser's review
5.0
This is the kind of political biography I like. A small amount of space at the beginning of the book describes Pelosi's early life and how this influenced her values. She is a devote Roman Catholic. When Bishops and Cardinals suggested she should not receive communion while the affordable care act was being legislated (due to debates on abortion funding in the bill), she rotated where she attended mass. Ball looks at how Pelosi has fought sexism throughout her career. Although Republicans have demonized her as a controlling, left winger, she is a pragmatist who is able to negotiate bipartisan deals if she is in the majority or minority. This is not a puff piece but Ball clearly respects Pelosi. I consider her depiction of the Speaker as factually accurate. I knew Pelosi was a fixture among Washington DC leadership but I didn't have a strong opinion on her. This book gives me great respect for her and the value of skilled leadership among members of congress.
marisbest2's review
3.0
Nancy Pelosi is a remarkable politician and listening to this book made me even more aware of that. It captures her triumphs (and losses) in rich detail. It places her in the current historical context. It does a great job showing how she's the only woman in the room and why that matters.
But this book fails in two respects. First, despite the author's afterwords, this is straight hagiography. Nancy here is a master, who rarely loses, and when she does its pretty much ignored. Theres no analysis of her voting, no analysis of her deeper values, and critique is hard to find. Nancy is a hero in this book, without equal.
Second, the author claims that Pelosi has no inner life, and it shows. She spends one tiny intro chapter on her life before running for office. She doesn't really talk about her relationships, what she learned over time (other than count votes). There's nothing here about her life outside the leadership, nothing about the people she's inspired by. There's barely anything about her constituents. This book ends up being just at the political level, and so it makes for a good political biography but can hardly be considered complete.
Pelosi deserves a really full biography. Maybe that can't happen until she retires, but one thing is for sure, this isnt it.
But this book fails in two respects. First, despite the author's afterwords, this is straight hagiography. Nancy here is a master, who rarely loses, and when she does its pretty much ignored. Theres no analysis of her voting, no analysis of her deeper values, and critique is hard to find. Nancy is a hero in this book, without equal.
Second, the author claims that Pelosi has no inner life, and it shows. She spends one tiny intro chapter on her life before running for office. She doesn't really talk about her relationships, what she learned over time (other than count votes). There's nothing here about her life outside the leadership, nothing about the people she's inspired by. There's barely anything about her constituents. This book ends up being just at the political level, and so it makes for a good political biography but can hardly be considered complete.
Pelosi deserves a really full biography. Maybe that can't happen until she retires, but one thing is for sure, this isnt it.
pleaseruiz's review against another edition
5.0
I know y’all hate her, but wow what an amazing profile of such an iconic leader.
Nancy Pelosi is the
Nancy Pelosi is the
callahadam's review against another edition
5.0
An engaging, well researched and written biography of the most consequential woman in American politics period. Makes the case for Pelosi to be recognized as the towering figure she is in American political history while also managing to be balanced and critical. Must read for any serious or armchair student of politics