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rainbowbookworm's review against another edition
5.0
When I picked up this book, I did so because it said AOC in big red letters on the cover and because I was attracted to the subtitle. The truth is, I don't think I read the subtitle beyond the words "The Fearless Rise." But this book is actually more about the "Powerful Resonance" part of the subtitle. A collection of essays--as with any collection some are more powerful than others--about different movements / identities, how Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez fits within those movements / identities, and how her visibility brought these to light.
The book gave me a new appreciation of the young politician who pulled herself up by her bootstraps and into the national spotlight. As a Puerto Rican female, I have been awed by Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez's hard work, her fearless use of her voice, and how she has grown into her position.
Whether or not you agree with her ideologies, there is no doubt that we need more energetic firebrands to bring new energy, new (or at least fresher) views to the national debate, and new policies to effect the changes we need in order to live in a society that values and takes care of its citizens.
While the book is a 3.5-star read, I am giving it five-stars to offset all the one-star reviews from people who have clearly not read the book.
The book gave me a new appreciation of the young politician who pulled herself up by her bootstraps and into the national spotlight. As a Puerto Rican female, I have been awed by Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez's hard work, her fearless use of her voice, and how she has grown into her position.
Whether or not you agree with her ideologies, there is no doubt that we need more energetic firebrands to bring new energy, new (or at least fresher) views to the national debate, and new policies to effect the changes we need in order to live in a society that values and takes care of its citizens.
While the book is a 3.5-star read, I am giving it five-stars to offset all the one-star reviews from people who have clearly not read the book.
bmusselman3's review against another edition
3.0
I love AOC and appreciated the opportunity to read from different authors about what her rise to power means to them. I wish that this was more of a biography than a series of devotional letters, though. I learned some new information about AOC, but because each essay was from a different author it tended to get repetitive — even mentioning the same tweet three or four times.
My rating has nothing to do with my love for AOC though. Man, what a powerful trailblazer who has become such an influential leader because of her ability to relate to the people.
My rating has nothing to do with my love for AOC though. Man, what a powerful trailblazer who has become such an influential leader because of her ability to relate to the people.
dame_samara's review against another edition
5.0
Listening to this book, at different times made me grin like an idiot (behind my mask), feel like I could do more, and challenged me to do so.
While I am not a Woman of Color, having come from a background of poverty hearing others speak about the importance of helping people. That we keep moving further and further away from those who are in need. Even assuming that these people can't be considered independent and hardworking if they also rely on any amount of help to ensure that they can survive in this world.
While this book is dedicated to AOC and the future she advocates for. I think a lot of these essays could be beneficial in showing the world why we need to make changes to the way the world is.
"What does a Just Society mean to you?" is what I took from this collection of essays but there are so many amazing works that touch on so much more.
While I am not a Woman of Color, having come from a background of poverty hearing others speak about the importance of helping people. That we keep moving further and further away from those who are in need. Even assuming that these people can't be considered independent and hardworking if they also rely on any amount of help to ensure that they can survive in this world.
While this book is dedicated to AOC and the future she advocates for. I think a lot of these essays could be beneficial in showing the world why we need to make changes to the way the world is.
"What does a Just Society mean to you?" is what I took from this collection of essays but there are so many amazing works that touch on so much more.
vulnerablevibrant's review against another edition
4.0
This collection of essays provides a clear insight as to why diverse representation in our government is so crucial, especially in this day and age. I appreciated also that many noted that you can still respect and love a politician without agreeing with every last thing they say/do. The central focus is her impact as a Latina in politics and each essays branches from that central point, some essays were more a love letter to AOC and others covered her college experience, her childhood, her rise to politics or her current political career.
kevin_shepherd's review against another edition
4.0
This is more devotional than biographical. A collection of essays on "what Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez means to me." AOC from fifteen different perspectives; some are ideological, most are quite personal, all are inspirational.
I cannot speak to the "tsunami" that is Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez on any level that is not rooted in my acknowledged white-privilege. The trademark red lipstick and hoop earrings don't resonate with me. What I see in AOC is hope; hope that everyone has a seat at the table, hope that old white men don't have a monopoly on leadership, hope that, in spite of racist and bigoted comments coming from the white house, we all have equal worth. I may not agree with everything she says, I don't, but we should all be glad she has the opportunity (and the courage) to say it.
I cannot speak to the "tsunami" that is Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez on any level that is not rooted in my acknowledged white-privilege. The trademark red lipstick and hoop earrings don't resonate with me. What I see in AOC is hope; hope that everyone has a seat at the table, hope that old white men don't have a monopoly on leadership, hope that, in spite of racist and bigoted comments coming from the white house, we all have equal worth. I may not agree with everything she says, I don't, but we should all be glad she has the opportunity (and the courage) to say it.
lauren_soderberg's review
4.0
AOC: The Fearless Rise and Powerful Resonance of Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is partially an examination of Representative Ocasio-Cortez herself, and partially an examination of what it means to be a Latinx woman of color in today’s political landscape. Composed of essays from 17 writers, AOC becomes biographical in places, in others, it’s more of a reflection on the essayists’ lives, and how the symbol of AOC has affected them individually.
In all, I think this is an important study in how impactful the rise of Rep. Ocasio-Cortez and other like-minded individuals has been, not only to the Latinx population, but to us all. And how her tenacity in the face of bigotry, sexism, and racism (even from the President of the United States himself) is inspiring, and creates a sense of hope for the future direction of the United States of America.
If you find the intricacies of a changing political system fascinating, and/or are looking for inspirational female leaders to emulate, this book is definitely for you.
Thank you, NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
In all, I think this is an important study in how impactful the rise of Rep. Ocasio-Cortez and other like-minded individuals has been, not only to the Latinx population, but to us all. And how her tenacity in the face of bigotry, sexism, and racism (even from the President of the United States himself) is inspiring, and creates a sense of hope for the future direction of the United States of America.
If you find the intricacies of a changing political system fascinating, and/or are looking for inspirational female leaders to emulate, this book is definitely for you.
Thank you, NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
jennyzurita's review against another edition
4.0
This ended up being different than I expected. I was expecting a biography of AOC and it ended up being a collection of essays of others saying what AOC means to them. I still enjoyed and appreciated the as a whole since everyone voiced similar feelings I have for AOC as a latina.
jugglingpup's review against another edition
5.0
To see more reviews check out MI Book Reviews.
I got an ARC of this audiobook.
I will admit, I didn’t read the description of this book. I saw AOC and just knew I needed to read/listen. I thought it was going to be a memoir or a biography. It really isn’t either. Instead, it is a collection of essays about why AOC is important and what her being elected means for people.
The essays vary from more biography about AOC to a letter to AOC to descriptions of the issues with The Green New Deal. It was fascinating to hear these people who had such strong opinions and feelings about AOC, the current political climate, and how things are working in the country. Each chapter had a different author, which just felt like it was the best way to show just how important AOC to the US. The way AOC shows what is happening and what is wrong as well as the huge things she has already pushed for in her short career can only be shown through multiple lenses.
The narrator has the exact perfect voice for this book. The narrator is able to say AOC’s name correctly. She has the ability and the respect to say the names correctly. There was even an essay that mentioned that AOC has been called out for saying her name correctly and how republicans in particular have been trying to make her whiten her name. There are so many reasons why I love this narrator from the way she can convey emotions to the way that she doesn’t rush through things, even when I would have been reading the passage as quickly as possible.
Overall, this book was something that can be read one chapter at a time and a chapter can be skipped while still understanding the overall message. Each chapter is a wonderful read. I feel grateful that I was able to hear these stories and these essays. They are worth listening to.
I learned so much about politics in this book. It was accessible and it was something I needed to hear.
I got an ARC of this audiobook.
I will admit, I didn’t read the description of this book. I saw AOC and just knew I needed to read/listen. I thought it was going to be a memoir or a biography. It really isn’t either. Instead, it is a collection of essays about why AOC is important and what her being elected means for people.
The essays vary from more biography about AOC to a letter to AOC to descriptions of the issues with The Green New Deal. It was fascinating to hear these people who had such strong opinions and feelings about AOC, the current political climate, and how things are working in the country. Each chapter had a different author, which just felt like it was the best way to show just how important AOC to the US. The way AOC shows what is happening and what is wrong as well as the huge things she has already pushed for in her short career can only be shown through multiple lenses.
The narrator has the exact perfect voice for this book. The narrator is able to say AOC’s name correctly. She has the ability and the respect to say the names correctly. There was even an essay that mentioned that AOC has been called out for saying her name correctly and how republicans in particular have been trying to make her whiten her name. There are so many reasons why I love this narrator from the way she can convey emotions to the way that she doesn’t rush through things, even when I would have been reading the passage as quickly as possible.
Overall, this book was something that can be read one chapter at a time and a chapter can be skipped while still understanding the overall message. Each chapter is a wonderful read. I feel grateful that I was able to hear these stories and these essays. They are worth listening to.
I learned so much about politics in this book. It was accessible and it was something I needed to hear.
jrf1108's review against another edition
3.0
A collection of essays about AOC and her impact on the various writers. Well written but not as informative as I was hoping for.
a_l_i's review against another edition
4.0
All hail AOC! Didn't realize this is essays, but was pleasantly surprised (obviously, I didn't read the description and just dove in). An easy listen, with thoughtful and researched understanding of Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, though some points were common threads throughout the book. Lovely accounts of what AOC has meant to these essayists and beyond.