I first saw Senator Harris at the Women's March in DC. Hearing her speak I paid attention. It had been a lengthy day of speeches but hers stood out. She had a clarity, a passion ... and she was smart. Really smart. Ever since then I have watched her career with interest, including her current run for President. It has become defacto to release a book when you are running for President. It is supposed to make clear to the constituency where you came from, how your beliefs formed, who you essentially "are." In that sense this book succeeds to some degree. The first few chapters cover Senator Harris' early life, somewhat sanitized at times but clear in that she identifies as a black woman and has tremendous family bonds. About a third of the way in we reach the point where I became aware of her -- the 2016 march. After that, she covers her time in the Senate, which includes a good bit of behind doors power plays. Given her background, she was given a spot on several prestigious committees in the Senate. This is not typical for a Freshman. It is interesting to read what was going on behind the scenes during some of the more public events of the last few years. The book clearly spells out what Senator Harris believes. For this, jump to the final chapter where she sums up the core beliefs in her life. As to the rest of the book, well ... Senator Harris is clearly a private person. This book could never be called a "tell-all". But it does show off her personality fairly well. She is hard-working and makes a point to delve deep into every issue, understanding the history as well as the current situation. She is committed, determined to fight when she believes she is right, even if it is not popular. She does fail, and as a rule-follower it surprised her when she didn't pass the bar the first time. She is a boots-on, in-the-thick of things brawler. She has a great deal of empathy and sees the big picture, using many stories not only to illustrate national concerns but to thank those of her friends and staff who pitched in on a given issue. The problem with many of the "middle" chapters is that they read like stump speeches. All numbers and great leaps like the discussion of big pharma and Wall Street. The arguments are compelling but can seem impersonal. Instead of talking in detail about the loss of her mother, she launches into a tirade about insurance. This is typical. The points are strong but they aren't about her, specifically. On a weak note, many of her televised Senate hearings are recreated verbatim, which seems unnecessary. So, no, not the most fabulous book. But a good one if you want some insight into Senator Harris, albeit more about her work and policies than her private life. It does make me wonder -- will we ever choose a President based on their ability to do the job, rather than whether they are someone we'd like to have a beer with? It will be an interesting year to come.
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