Publishers Weekly
03/30/2020
Time journalist Ball debuts with a lively and detailed portrait of California congresswoman Nancy Pelosi. Born into a Maryland political dynasty (her father was a congressman and mayor of Baltimore) in 1940, Pelosi raised five children with her husband, Paul, a California businessman, as she moved up the ranks of San Francisco’s Democratic Party. Elected to Congress in 1987, she advocated for AIDS victims, prevented the Presidio from being sold to private developers, and advocated for human rights in China following the 1989 Tiananmen Square massacre. She also fought against the war in Iraq and, in her first stint as House speaker, helped President Obama pass the Affordable Care Act. Ball notes Pelosi’s myriad milestones—the first daughter to follow her father into the House of Representatives, longest-serving member of the House Intelligence Committee, undefeated in floor votes during her first term as speaker—and credits her with helping save the economy from disaster in 2008 and changing course to launch the 2019 impeachment inquiry. Ball also notes Pelosi’s struggles, including her tensions with progressive upstarts such as Alexandra Ocasio-Cortez and accusations that she galvanized Republican turnout in Jon Ossoff’s loss in a 2017 special election for a congressional seat. Ball’s accessible review of recent legislative history and behind-the-scenes coverage of congressional matters provide valuable insights for political junkies. Even readers who don’t entirely agree with Pelosi’s agenda will gain respect for her accomplishments and tenacity. (May)
From the Publisher
One of the Washington Post's 50 Notable Works of Nonfiction of 2020 * An Elle Best Book of 2020 (So Far)
“[An] illuminating new biography of the most powerful woman in American politics.” —Michelle Goldberg, The New York Times Book Review
“[A] smart, solid biography with a lesson: Despite our current fixation on political showmanship, politics works best in a complicated democracy like ours when its practitioners can navigate their way through the byzantine cloakrooms of power." —Joe Klein, The Washington Post
“There's a delicious scene in Pelosi where she chases down a Republican congressman who had disparaged her and shouts, ‘You're an insignificant person,’ at him again and again. Whether taking on a low-level back-bencher in the House or President Trump in the Oval Office, Nancy Pelosi could never be called insignificant, as Molly Ball so revealingly documents in this absorbing book.” —David Maraniss, Pulitzer Prize-winning author of First in His Class: The Biography of Bill Clinton
“Even dedicated political junkies will learn something new about the controversial figure in this comprehensive look.” —Good Housekeeping
“Molly Ball’s Pelosi is the inspirational political book we’ve all been waiting for. In this dark season, Ball shines a light on the nearly heroic Speaker and her unwavering commitment to truth, justice, and well-tailored jackets. This is the definitive biography of an icon.”—Vanessa Grigoriadis, author of Blurred Lines: Rethinking Sex, Power, and Consent on Campus
“Molly Ball’s revealing, essential biography…captures all the facets of Madam Speaker: steely combatant, peerless number cruncher, master of details.” —O Magazine
“A top-notch political biography.” —Kirkus Reviews, *starred review*
“An engrossing and deeply reported political biography of an astute and powerful woman. Molly Ball’s lively portrait of Nancy Pelosi, twice Speaker of the House, is packed with sage insights and telling anecdotes. This sparkling new take on Pelosi makes us understand how this ‘San Francisco liberal’—often the only woman in the room—has become America’s most consequential legislator since the days of LBJ.” —Kai Bird, Pulitzer Prize-winning biographer
“Immersing…equal parts high drama and supreme wonkiness.” —Shelf Awareness, *starred review*
"A great read about a great woman. Pelosi is timely and valuable, not only for women who will be inspired by her ability to sequence a career from motherhood to national power, but for all Americans who still believe that politics is not only the ‘art of the possible,’ but also a path to lasting progressive change." —Anne-Marie Slaughter, CEO, New America
“A lively and detailed portrait…Ball’s accessible review of recent legislative history and behind-the-scenes coverage of congressional matters provide valuable insights for political junkies. Even readers who don’t entirely agree with Pelosi’s agenda will gain respect for her accomplishments and tenacity.” —Publishers Weekly
"Read this book, not just to understand how Nancy Pelosi operates as Speaker of the House, but to understand HOW she became the first female Speaker in American history. Molly Ball, one of the most perceptive political reporters in the country, takes readers on a journey through Pelosi's formative political experiences, which parallels the transformation of the political process over the last 60 years." —Amy Walter, national editor for the Cook Political Report
“[A] sharp, lively biography…With deft political analysis, the author charts Pelosi’s rise in the ranks, her relationships with George W. Bush, Obama, and Trump, and her record.” —The Christian Science Monitor
“Even after years spent covering the House, and three different Speakers, I have a far richer and more intimate understanding of Nancy Pelosi after reading Molly Ball’s masterwork. Molly Ball's achievement with PELOSI is telling us what makes the most powerful woman in American history tick. With that knowledge, we can now examine the Speaker’s every accomplishment—political and personal—in the sweeping, elegant context her legacy demands." —Tim Alberta, New York Times bestselling author of American Carnage
“An entertaining and balanced biography of Nancy Pelosi…Ball offers plenty of insightful anecdotes, presenting events within historical perspective so that readers can fully appreciate their import.” —Booklist, *starred review*
Library Journal
★ 05/01/2020
In her first book, veteran political journalist Ball profiles one of the most influential women in politics today. Nancy Pelosi (b. 1940), House Representative for California's 12th District, has broken the "marble ceiling" multiple times, first in the California Democratic Party, and then as the first woman and two-time Speaker of the House. Based on in-depth interviews and deep background research, Ball has written a thorough and enjoyable political biography moving from Pelosi's childhood as the daughter of the mayor of Baltimore to her evolving political sense stemming from her time as a party fundraiser and whip. Ball describes how Pelosi learned to only bring legislation to a vote when she knows it will pass, and how many votes it will receive. In this up-to-date work, the author also recounts how Pelosi shepherded Barack Obama's landmark legislative victories through the House, how she overcame efforts to be replaced as Speaker of the House in 2018, and how she initially resisted and then steered the Democratic Party when calls for impeaching Donald Trump grew louder by the day. VERDICT This biography succeeds in illuminating the controversial politician and will be enjoyed by readers of current events, American government, and history.—Chad E. Statler, Westlake Porter P.L., Westlake, OH
JUNE 2020 - AudioFile
In a clear voice that lets the writing shine, Frankie Corzo narrates this detailed dive into American politics centered on House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. Corzo’s portrayal of the most powerful woman in American political history showcases Pelosi’s tireless energy and radiating impact, as well as the landscape at large. Corzo pauses after reading shocking details, allowing listeners to digest information, and her steady, upbeat pace complements the writing perfectly. Corzo’s simple narration states the facts that bury Pelosi’s opponents in her truth. Born into the Democratic party but beholden only to her beliefs and a willingness to get things done, Pelosi makes it look easy. Make no mistake about the Italian grandmother in the four-inch heels, though. Pelosi works harder than anyone. A.L.C. © AudioFile 2020, Portland, Maine
Kirkus Reviews
★ 2020-03-15
A cradle-to-today portrait of a master politician who “shattered the ‘marble ceiling’ and blazed a new trail for women.”
Born in 1940 into an avidly political family, Nancy D'Alesandro absorbed a great deal about electoral politics from her father—a five-term Congressman and, later, three-term mayor of Baltimore—and from her mother, who supported her husband's campaigning in addition to raising seven children (tragically, one died at age 3). TIME national political correspondent and CNN political analyst Ball uses numerous memorable anecdotes to portray Pelosi's childhood, adolescence, early married life, and mothering of five children. Establishing a family base in San Francisco because of her husband's career in finance, Pelosi had no initial plans to enter politics. Ball explains clearly how that opinion evolved, with Pelosi entering the U.S. House of Representatives in 1987. In large portions of the narrative, the author focuses on Pelosi’s remarkable ability to overcome myriad stereotypes and outright misogyny to achieve ever more powerful positions in the House. Ball delves into Pelosi's leadership on a variety of controversial issues—e.g., the Iraq War (“to Pelosi and, by that point, most Americans, it seemed devastatingly obvious that the war had been a tragic misadventure”) and the 2008 financial meltdown—while also offering intriguing information about her professional relationships with Bill Clinton, Barack Obama, Donald Trump, and dozens of other recognizable names. It is no surprise that Pelosi is a relentless workaholic, and Ball provides plenty of instructive examples. Other personal details—“she never drank alcohol, rarely had caffeine that wasn’t from her beloved dark chocolate and didn’t need more than a few hours’ sleep per night”—add human touches to a subject who is intensely private and never “indulges in public introspection.” Ultimately, this is a portrait of a persistent, fearless leader undaunted in the face of relentless opposition. Ball obviously admires Pelosi, but this is not a hagiography.
A top-notch political biography. (photo insert)
