The Art of Tough: Fearlessly Facing Politics and Life

by Barbara Boxer Narrated by Barbara Boxer

Overview

After serving in Congress for more than thirty years as both a congresswoman and a senator, Senator Boxer has proven herself to be a passionate advocate for significant issues of our time, including the military, civil rights, universal health care, and the environment. With a who's who of politics of the past three decades, Boxer shows all of the machinations that it takes to make government work, much of it off the record. Featuring figures beloved and reviled, Boxer's memoir takes us behind the scenes to show us what it has been like to deal with George W. Bush, John McCain, and Mitch McConnell, as well as Tip O'Neill, the Clintons, Obama, and so many more.

Raised in a Jewish, working-class neighborhood in Brooklyn, NY, Boxer was a journalist who decided she could make a difference and ran for local office in California, inspired to fight tooth and nail to help bring that American dream of "a more perfect union" into fruition.

Behind closed doors in secret negotiating rooms, Boxer has seen it all: petty squabbling, bare-knuckled dysfunctional debate, and vicious character assassinations. Drawing back the curtain, she leads readers in a master class in statecraft, revealing the truth behind controversial policies, temperamental elected officials, and sensational media headlines that have dominated our national discourse. In this passionate, heartfelt testament to one woman's life's work to improve democracy for all, Senator Boxer offers her views on how American government is flawed and can be rescued to ultimately flourish, but only with the full participation of the nation at large.

Editorial Reviews

Publishers Weekly

05/09/2016
Junior U.S. senator Boxer, a Democrat from California, will retire in 2016, and this reflection on her years in office will serve as a key record of her work during those years. She speaks warmly of colleagues Barbara Mikulski, Joe Biden, and Nancy Pelosi, reserving criticism for the expected villains: Newt Gingrich, George W. Bush, and her 2010 Senate opponent, Carly Fiorina: "It's clear that she hasn't a clue." Boxer, who briefly worked as a reporter for the Pacific Sun, writes serviceably, if not inspiringly, in the memoir format. Regarding Florida's role in the Bush/Gore contest, she writes: "it was a bizarre situation, which has gone down in history." On the topic of Bill Clinton's impeachment trial, she focuses on the fact she was sick with the flu. She has an eye for a good anecdote, as when she fought for funding to fight AIDS or forced ethics hearings on former U.S. senator Bob Packwood. Ever the politician, she never draws the veil back too far. She calls herself "green" in an early conflict with John McCain and admits to several "over-the-top" campaign slogans ("Save Marin: Vote for Barbara")—but after 40 years in elected office, Barbara Boxer knows better than to risk serious damage to her political legacy. Agent: Kimberley Cameron, Kimberley Cameron & Associates. (May)

From the Publisher

"[Boxer has] an eye for a good anecdote.... a key record of her work."—Publishers Weekly

"Anyone who thinks that Washington can't be understood, has no great hearts, and is not crucial to our daily lives will be turned around on all counts by Barbara Boxer's irresistible story of her more than four decades there. Read this as a bridge into the coming political year, and you won't just vote, you'll fight to vote."—Gloria Steinem, feminist, activist, and author

"For decades I have worked with Barbara Boxer on issues that have touched our hearts and our lives. She is a woman of her word and she is one of the most generous leaders I have ever met in politics."—Nancy Pelosi, 52nd Speaker of the U.S. House ofRepresentatives (D-California)

"In more than 40 years in government, Barbara Boxer has truly mastered the 'Art of Tough.' Her life and work are an inspiration to politicians everywhere, both real and completely fake."—Julia Louis-Dreyfus, actress and star of the HBO series Veep

"It's a great book about female empowerment and what it takes to be a member of society and how one person can make a difference."—Chelsea Handler

"From being told in the early sixties that 'women aren't stockbrokers' to five terms in the House and four terms in the Senate, Senator Barbara Boxer's memoir is the story of a woman who found her calling. My favorite quote is: 'So I ran.' Even if you differ with Senator Boxer politically, The Art Of Tough educates and entertains. It's a 'must read.'"—Carole King, singer-songwriter and bestselling author

"When you read Barbara's words, you realize how important it is to be strong in the face of overwhelming powers. Her book will inspire all of us to be fearless in our pursuits, our convictions, and our lives."—Lily Tomlin, comedian and actress

"It takes a true warrior to fight against the biggest polluters who would degrade our environment. That warrior is Barbara Boxer, who has been my partner for years in protecting our oceans so that their beauty remains for future generations."—Ted Danson, actor and environmentalist

"Drawing on her decades of effective, principled advocacy of liberal ideals, Barbara Boxer provides a valuable description of how the legislative process works at its best. She weaves the political, official, and personal aspects of the job into a readable, instructive narrative of how democracy can be practiced."—Former Congressman Barney Frank (D-Massachusetts)

"This book offers invaluable lessons about politics and life from one of the strongest progressive voices of the U.S. Senate. Barbara Boxer's life lessons are tried and true. They are pearls of wisdom her readers can live by."—Rep. John Lewis (D-Georgia)

Library Journal

01/01/2016
California's junior senator since 1993 (after ten years in the House of Representatives), Boxer proclaims, "One goal of this memoir is to inspire people to fight for change." A 65,000-copy first printing.

JULY 2016 - AudioFile

This audiobook memoir details the author’s experiences coming of age in California, and then spending more than 30 years in public life, most recently as a U.S. senator from that state. Boxer immediately became one of the most pro-environment, antiwar legislators in Washington, and she continues to be a major voice for progressive causes. The foreword is read by another senator, Kirsten Gillibrand of New York, who does a good job setting the tone of the book, reading with enthusiasm and energy. Senator Boxer delivers the rest of the book with a pleasant voice, and she’s clearly used to speaking with purpose and clarity. While she needs to vary her voice more and to make sure she doesn’t miss emphasizing key words and ideas, overall, Boxer paces herself and reads slowly enough that listeners can ponder her positions. R.I.G. © AudioFile 2016, Portland, Maine

Product Details

BN ID:	2940170207305
Publisher:	Hachette Audio
Publication date:	05/31/2016
Edition description:	Unabridged

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