This is a book that is written around the 2020 primaries, but it’s not really about the 2020 primary. This book is equal parts policy proposals and why exactly we need those policies. This book is also about the way society views women in general, and explores the subtle ways that society disrespects women like the lack of childcare, to the more ‘in your face’ ways like sexual assault and how women are rarely believed and why that makes it hard for women to come forward. This is intertwined with the way women are treated once they enter politics, and helps explain why so few women are elected to office. There’s also a section about how policy has deeply hurt minority groups in this country, and while Warren is able to lay out all the issues quite well, I felt that section to be a bit weaker than the rest of the book, but in a country where so many issues can be tied back to historical and systematic racism it’s hard to talk about the issue of race in America succinctly. Overall it was a great book, and anyone who donated, volunteered, or voted for Warren should find the book more than enjoyable.

If you need a reason to believe…

there's a lot to say - as i have established here already, i am a fan of elizabeth warren's politics and tend to really like her as a politician. i appreciate that she attempted to make amends for her political and career missteps, like falsely saying she was a native american, and the DNA test debacle. as a white woman, it's not really my place to determine if that was sufficient - but it did seem sincere. it's really hard, i think, as an adult, to say you did something wrong, and that your actions hurt others. i can imagine that's more difficult on this larger scale - and so i think something should be said for owning up to doing wrong. there are thousands of men who have also hurt people - some who have said sexist things that have hurt half the population, in fact - and never once owned up to it or sincerely apologized.

nevertheless! this was really nice. i'm having a lot of political/worldwide anxiety right now as i am sure many other people are. this made me feel both worse (because of the honesty) and better (because of the optimism). elizabeth warren is a realist and a planner, but has a real streak of hopefulness in her messaging that informs her position as a senator and makes me like her. i know stanning politicians is bad but it's hard when their ideas are so...good. she had a plan for everything. her domestic agenda would have been so incredible to see pushed forward. i support joe biden but unlike republicans feel like it's okay to critique the president, and so will say that he is too far right to ever fully satisfy me. but this book was wonderful in how it has detailed the way in which american politics have unfolded in the last 2-3 years; i hope that elizabeth warren continues to take part in politics and trying to hold the rich and wealthy accountable.

we need more politicians like her
love,
someone who refuses to remove her warren 2020 bumper sticker

If only...

Elizabeth Warren explains (in depth) campaign thoughts, plans and stories on how to make our country better (wealth tax, women's rights, voter access, equality). She is an amazing voice in our government genuinely interested and committed to the betterment of all people. Great book, I would have to think this would make you a fan, and if you are already one, you will love her even more.

A book about what we could have had if we had elected a brilliant woman with a lot of plans. It made me sad to hear what we missed out on because of internalized misogyny

I love a woman with a plan. I had not delved into Warren’s policies in great detail, but what was more fascinating to me was learning how her lived experience shaped her vision for America.

PS: I’m sick and tired of the demonization of strong and smart women, especially those in politics. Let the women with the plans run the place.

My heart needed this book right now. This is a must-listen - hearing it in Warren's own voice adds so much. This is precisely the catharsis I needed for Warren's loss in the primaries in 2020. It is thorough in its discussion of the major issues of her platform and lays out ways those plans might move forward despite her campaign ending. It describes the ups and downs of campaigning for political office as a woman in our society. And most of all, Warren clearly lays this book out as a simultaneous eulogy for her presidential campaign and a to do list for the work ahead. I grieved for all the policies that haven't come to be; I felt invigorated to get to work in what ways I can to help them still come to pass. Highly, highly recommend this book.