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cc_loves_books's review against another edition
3.0
As far as politicians’ memoirs go, I found this one middle of the road. I enjoyed listening to Kamala Harris narrate the audiobook, and learned a lot about her personal and professional background. This was clearly intended for its release in the run-up to the 2020 election, so it lacked some of the candor and reflection an “outgoing” political figure may have been more likely to share. It read more like a CV, with anecdotes and personal perspective.
I was disappointed that she spoke of the refugee crisis at the US/Mexico border, detailing statistics about the civil wars in Central America and later gang violence without even mentioning the US involvement in those conflicts. That felt like a pretty glaring intentional omission or rather naive blind spot. Similarly in praising Israel for “making the desert bloom” with water management without mentioning that such sustainable development benefits only certain groups, while the entire Palestinian nation is cut from access to equal resources and rights. I know these are political issues, but that is precisely the point.
Domestically, she highlighted the good she tried to enact in her role as a public prosecutor, adding nuance to the issues (beyond the “tough on crime”/“easy on crime” false binary). A bit more reflection on the systemic racism and foundational issues of prisons in the US and the legal system that feeds them would have been welcome. She touched on these, but not deeply.
I was disappointed that she spoke of the refugee crisis at the US/Mexico border, detailing statistics about the civil wars in Central America and later gang violence without even mentioning the US involvement in those conflicts. That felt like a pretty glaring intentional omission or rather naive blind spot. Similarly in praising Israel for “making the desert bloom” with water management without mentioning that such sustainable development benefits only certain groups, while the entire Palestinian nation is cut from access to equal resources and rights. I know these are political issues, but that is precisely the point.
Domestically, she highlighted the good she tried to enact in her role as a public prosecutor, adding nuance to the issues (beyond the “tough on crime”/“easy on crime” false binary). A bit more reflection on the systemic racism and foundational issues of prisons in the US and the legal system that feeds them would have been welcome. She touched on these, but not deeply.
brebyron's review against another edition
4.0
I have a lot of respect for Kamala and every thing she has accomplished for the communities around her. I was really hoping she would speak more on her person life. This book is mostly on policies and accomplishments.
trin's review against another edition
4.0
A campaign book, certainly, but a smart and sympathetic one. Kamala Harris has a lot of great policy ideas, and she's tough. I'm generally maintaining a "wait and see" attitude toward the Democratic presidential hopefuls -- I'm open to anyone who can defeat Trump -- but Harris is my early favorite. Here's hoping she can advance these ideas and positions as strongly in the primary debates as she does here.
kaelynputnam's review against another edition
5.0
The book has a great conversational style and really shows VP Harris' personal side well. She has a gift for explaining conflict and policy in an approachable way!! So proud of our MVP!!
home_again's review against another edition
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
4.5
This is another excellently written memoir. Personally, I love persuasive writing, and I would love to see a strong female writer that emphasizes her argument over her personal story. However, it seems that, especially for women, the memoir is the primary way to share your important ideas with today's readers.
Kamala's memoir is engaging. I never felt like the narrative lagged. And while I would have loved to see more of it, the commentary where she inserted her political opinions was also very well done. It was powerful and moving.
Not only was this an entertaining and edifying read, I was also inspired. When I have thought about the problems that our world faces, I often feel discouraged. We face age-old problems that I often feel like are unsolvable. But Kamala shared her perspective that solutions are likely going to spend lifetimes.
I feel encouraged, like the little that I can contribute in my lifetime is not useless. That even if the problems that we face aren't completely fixed within my lifetime, the progress that is made will eventually lead to the solutions that we're aiming for.
Kamala's memoir is engaging. I never felt like the narrative lagged. And while I would have loved to see more of it, the commentary where she inserted her political opinions was also very well done. It was powerful and moving.
Not only was this an entertaining and edifying read, I was also inspired. When I have thought about the problems that our world faces, I often feel discouraged. We face age-old problems that I often feel like are unsolvable. But Kamala shared her perspective that solutions are likely going to spend lifetimes.
I feel encouraged, like the little that I can contribute in my lifetime is not useless. That even if the problems that we face aren't completely fixed within my lifetime, the progress that is made will eventually lead to the solutions that we're aiming for.
jess_mango's review against another edition
4.0
An engaging memoir by the Vice President elect. She narrated the audio book herself and did an excellent job with it . This is a good introduction for readers to find out more about our first female VP.
This book counts towards the Reading Women 2021 Challenge task #17: about a woman in politics
This book counts towards the Reading Women 2021 Challenge task #17: about a woman in politics
cr4nkyp4nts's review against another edition
4.0
Everything I'd seen of Kamala Harris left me impressed and happy that she's an elected official but I didn't know much about her background or what her stances on issues were. After listening to her memoir (which could double as a huge campaign speech) - I'm sold.
It felt great to listen to her talk about her family, her career, and her beliefs which mirror many of my own. How nice to hear from a patriotic public servant who believes in helping make our country better for everyone.
My only complaint about the audio book is that she's not always the best narrator... But I don't think it would have been as effective for me if anyone else read it.
It felt great to listen to her talk about her family, her career, and her beliefs which mirror many of my own. How nice to hear from a patriotic public servant who believes in helping make our country better for everyone.
My only complaint about the audio book is that she's not always the best narrator... But I don't think it would have been as effective for me if anyone else read it.
bookdreamer24's review against another edition
5.0
It was super interesting. She's a good storyteller.