Pelosi by Molly Ball

PELOSI is an exciting new biography by award-winning author Molly Ball, TIME magazine's national political correspondent, a political analyst for CNN and a regular commentator on political shows like PBS's Washington Week, CBS's Face the Nation, and ABC's This Week. I knew a bit about Pelosi’s background (her father was heavily involved in Democratic Party politics), but I was fascinated to learn how her elected Congressional role is really a second career for her, after motherhood (5 children in 6 years) and many fundraising efforts connected to the Democratic Party.  Ball also focuses on some surprising parallels with today’s issues like Pelosi’s early efforts (she was first elected in 1987) to raise awareness and funding for HIV/AIDS research and her attempts to stand up for human rights in China.  I would like to know even more about Pelosi’s moral convictions and true values so as to better wade through the “hype” that often surrounds her today.  As the first (and only) female Speaker of the House of Representatives, she has certainly made history while also ensuring passage of varied landmark legislation like the Affordable Care Act, the Dodd–Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, the Don't Ask, Don't Tell Repeal Act, and very recently, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act. In addition, she is the first to return to the Speaker’s post since Sam Rayburn in 1955 and one of only a few Speakers to have led Impeachment proceedings (the point where Ball’s work ends).

As Ball chronicles, Nancy Pelosi is an ambitious woman who has made a difference despite repeatedly battling misogyny and sexist stereotypes. Yes, there are negative reviews for this book; The Wall Street Journal complains that it lacks complexity and is overly fawning, but that iconic image on the cover of Pelosi in her red coat is inspiring not only for those sharing her gender. PELOSI by Molly Ball received starred reviews from Booklist (“recommended for teens … [an] accessible account”) and Kirkus (“top-notch political biography”).