Book Review: The Art of Power

The Art of Power: My Story as America’s First Woman Speaker of the House by Nancy Pelosi is a solid read from a person at the center of American politics since first elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1987. In a time when the average American adult finishes just over five books per year, Pelosi’s book is perfect. It is an easy read, about timely topics, and general enough to interest an average reader through to the finish.

Pelosi emphasizes the book is not a memoir. It is the story of her time as the 52nd Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives. It is also the story of Democratic accomplishments during the last 37 years. We Democrats don’t tell our story in clear, measured prose often enough. More books like this are needed.

While I lived through this period as an adult, Pelosi pulls a narrative together that not only rings true to the times, it leaves out much partisan drivel a lesser writer might include. It brings focus on important events and legislation from her unique platform.

Some say Nancy Pelosi is a lightening rod in politics. What I say is she is a person with an accomplished life who wrote a book well worth reading.