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The Art of Power: My Story as America's First Woman Speaker of the House

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The most powerful woman in American political history tells the story of her transformation from housewife to House Speaker—how she became a master legislator, a key partner to presidents, and the most visible leader of the Trump resistance.

When, at age forty-six, Nancy Pelosi, mother of five, asked her youngest daughter if she should run for Congress, Alexandra Pelosi answered: “Mother, get a life!” And so Nancy did, and what a life it has been.

In The Art of Power, Pelosi describes for the first time what it takes to make history—not only as the first woman to ascend to the most powerful legislative role in our nation, but to pass laws that would save lives and livelihoods, from the emergency rescue of the economy in 2008 to transforming health care. She describes the perseverance, persuasion, and respect for her members that it took to succeed, but also the joy of seeing America change for the better. Among the best-prepared and hardest working Speakers in history, Pelosi worked to find common ground, or stand her ground, with presidents from Bush to Biden. She also shares moving moments with soldiers sent to the front lines, women who inspired her, and human rights activists who fought by her side.

Pelosi took positions that established her as a prophetic voice on the major moral issues of the day, warning early about the dangers of the Iraq War and of the Chinese government’s long record of misbehavior. This moral courage prepared her for the arrival of Trump, with whom she famously tangled, becoming a red-coated symbol of resistance to his destructive presidency. Here, she reveals how she went toe-to-toe with Trump, leading up to January 6, 2021, when he unleashed his post-election fury on the Congress. Pelosi gives us her personal account of that day: the assault not only on the symbol of our democracy but on the men and women who had come to serve the nation, never expecting to hide under desks or flee for their lives—and her determined efforts to get the National Guard to the Capitol. Nearly two years later, violence and fury would erupt inside Pelosi’s own home when an intruder, demanding to see the Speaker, viciously attacked her beloved husband, Paul. Here, Pelosi shares that horrifying day and the traumatic aftermath for her and her family.

The woman who has been lauded by her opposition as “the most powerful Speaker” ever shows us why she is not afraid of a good fight. The Art of Power is about the fighting spirit that has always animated her, and the historic legacy that spirit has produced.

352 pages, Hardcover

First published August 6, 2024

About the author

Nancy Pelosi

12 books74 followers
Nancy Patricia D'Alesandro Pelosi is the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives. She is a member of the Democratic Party. Before being elected Speaker in the 110th Congress, she was the House Minority Leader from 2003 to 2007, holding the post during the 108th and 109th Congresses.

Since 1987, she has represented the 8th Congressional District of California, which consists of four-fifths of the City and County of San Francisco. The district was numbered as the 5th during Pelosi's first three terms in the House.

Nancy Pelosi is the first female Speaker of the United States House of Representatives. She is also the first Italian-American and first Californian to serve as Speaker. She is the second Speaker from a state west of the Rocky Mountains, with the first being Washington's Tom Foley, who was the last Democrat to hold the post before Pelosi. As Speaker of the House, Pelosi is second in the line of presidential succession, following Vice President Joe Biden, which makes her the highest-ranking female politician in United States history.

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5 stars
786 (38%)
4 stars
812 (39%)
3 stars
367 (17%)
2 stars
40 (1%)
1 star
46 (2%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 276 reviews
Profile Image for Kaitlyn Jackson.
162 reviews11 followers
Want to read
August 6, 2024
ready for this to be some level 700 Machiavelli shit
Profile Image for LaShanda Chamberlain.
468 reviews20 followers
August 10, 2024
Nancy Pelosi's memoir offers an engaging and richly detailed look behind the scenes of major political events, unveiling insights often missed in the news. As the first woman Speaker of the House, Pelosi's leadership and finesse cemented her as one of the most powerful women in American history.

The memoir covers her remarkable rise in Congress, navigating the Bush administration, the tumultuous Iraq War, and the transformative Obama, Trump, and Biden administrations. It particularly shines in its vivid portrayal of Trump's presidency, highlighting Pelosi's efforts to counter his divisive and impulsive leadership. She faced unprecedented challenges during Trump's tenure, from election disputes to contentious relations with Russia, all while steering her party through unexpected defeats and ensuring the passage of historic Democratic legislation.

Pelosi also shares her journey from housewife to House Speaker, detailing her legislative achievements and her joy in witnessing America's progress. The memoir is filled with personal anecdotes and reflections, painting a clear picture of a leader determined to guide her party through some of the most consequential moments in American history. Her influence is particularly highlighted during critical episodes like the January 6 insurrection and Trump's impeachments.

I thoroughly enjoyed this audiobook. Nancy Pelosi, America’s First Woman Speaker of the House, is one of the greatest political leaders of our time. Her resilience, leadership, and unwavering commitment to her principles and her country shine through in this memoir. Pelosi's story is not just a political account; it's a testament to her dedication and the significant impact she has had on American politics. This memoir is a must-read for anyone interested in understanding the intricacies of political leadership and the challenges faced by one of the most influential figures in recent history.
Profile Image for Meike.
1,793 reviews3,972 followers
September 29, 2024
We need more women in politics kicking ass, so I'm super interested in how Nancy Pelosi broke the glass ceiling and developed her own style of power politics- which, let's face it, is of course necessary to play the game successfully, and which is particularly difficult for women as in vast parts of the court of public opinion, the "assertive" male equals the female "bitch". And Pelosi gives us some captivating behind-the-curtain info on, e.g., the Iraq war, the Affordable Care Act, and the attempted coup encouraged by Trump. She also adds some personal aspects, for instance, the book opens with the attack on Pelosi's husband and the repercussions.

But all in all, a political memoir gets intriguing when a politician allows themselves to be messy or openly ponder failure. I will never forget the scene in which Madeleine K. Albright descends the stairs shortly before her divorce in Madam Secretary: A Memoir - everything around it was highly enlightening regarding the expectations for women in the past and present. Pelosi is still a member of the House, and maybe she should have waited until after her retirement and then write a "I have no fucks left to give" text that also includes more things that went wrong and interpersonal stories about her feelings and experiences beyond what's fit to print in an election pamphlet. Not because I like tea (okay, I DO like to hear the tea), but because these personal aspects are crucial to understand a person and the political system.

A memoir is the chance to be relatable because of one's complicated humanity, and Pelosi hasn't yet taken the chance to tell her story with little constraint. But maybe one day, we'll get her A Promised Land. I'd read it. Until then, "The Art of Power" certainly is an interesting book about American politics.
17 reviews
August 8, 2024
Obligated to inflate her ratings with five stars
Profile Image for Summer.
459 reviews257 followers
September 11, 2024
No matter what side of the political spectrum they are on, women in government have always fascinated me. Nancy’s story of how she went from a 46-year-old mother of five to the most powerful legislative role in the United States, was nothing short of awe-inspiring.

Nancy details working with Presidents Bush, Obama, and Trump and how she found common ground and respect for those who opposed her. She spoke about her fight for the American people and how she always kept the people’s best interest in mind while making decisions.

The Art of Power is also a behind-the-scenes glance at American history including her fight for those affected by the Aids crisis, her global human rights work, the Iraq war, the economic crisis of 2008, the passing of the Affordable Care Act, and her personal account of the January 6 insurrection. She also speaks about the horrifying violence that erupted in her own home when her husband was attacked and how that traumatic event affected her entire family.

I alternated between reading the bookshelf and listening to the audiobook which is also read by Nancy Pelosi. If you decide to pick this one up, I highly recommend the audiobook!

The Art of Power: My Story as America’s First Woman Speaker of the House by Nancy Pelosi was published on August 6 so it's available now! Many thanks to Simon Audio for the gifted audiobook and Simon Books for the gifted book.
Profile Image for Stephanie.
51 reviews2 followers
August 11, 2024
Nancy Pelosi is a model of leadership. She is not interested in getting her flowers—she is interested in getting 👏🏻 shit 👏🏻 done.
Profile Image for Peyton.
44 reviews2 followers
August 13, 2024
I expected partisanship, but the title fooled me into thinking it would have more nitty gritty power plays. There was too much blah blah blah about how great the Democrats are and how if only everyone would do things her way the world would be a better place. She writes about the need for respect and compromise but very little how those skills actually made a bill or law better. Okay, I get it, she fiercely loves and defends the House of Representatives especially the Democrats, and her historic place in it. The title and blurb are deceptive.
Profile Image for Jean.
1,770 reviews768 followers
September 3, 2024
“The Art of Power” by Nancy Pelosi is a memoir and overview of recent political events. I was somewhat disappointed because from the title and an interview with her about the book, I thought the book would be about how a woman executes power in the halls of Washington. I noted in a comment near the end of the book she said if she had known that by being in office she risked the lives of her family, she would not have run for office. That situation could have profound effect upon our country. If men and women stop running for local, state and federal office, what happens to our democracy?

I read this as an audiobook downloaded from Audible. The book is ten hours and forty-five minutes. Nancy Pelosi narrated the book.

Profile Image for Caden Suplita.
16 reviews
August 14, 2024
An insightful recount of recent history from a woman who led one branch of the legislative body for many years. She describes many of her successes that will end up underlying the rest of my life. Her description of the January 6th riots on the capital was particularly good, as I was somewhat disengaged with that moment in history, and hearing from the woman who was the main target elucidated the gravity of the riots. She has a penchant for melodrama here and there throughout the book, but overall it was a good read. If there is one moral to take from the book, it's to hold conviction to your beliefs.
Profile Image for Melissa.
17 reviews1 follower
August 31, 2024
Oh dear.

I started this book excited to read the story of a woman I’ve long admired—intrigued by the blurb’s tease that I’d learn how Pelosi achieved all she has.

But it’s not about HOW she did all she did. Instead, it reads more like a resume, or a eulogy. She moves from historic moment to historic moment without much reflection or context. There’s very little about her strategy or even feelings. There’s just an awkwardly defensive litany of events where she was always right, always did the right thing, never made any mistakes.

Really?

Never?

Never thought hey, I could have handled that interaction better.

Never hmm, I wonder what would have happened if.

It lacks the heart of, say, Clinton’s What Happened, where she acknowledges her failings as a human and, somehow, this makes her more superhuman.

I wanted more about the process of running a campaign every two years while legislating. I wanted more on her upbringing, her early life in politics balancing motherhood and civic duty. I wanted more on how she managed to be heard in a sea of suits.

I wanted more… Nancy and less Speaker Pelosi.
Profile Image for Meg MacLaren.
15 reviews2 followers
August 23, 2024
Love Nancy pelosi !! Found some of the parts about foreign policy a bit hard to follow but loved the domestic policy stuff about ACA, post 9/11 Congress, her relationship with Republican presidents etc
Also House>Senate always
Profile Image for Natalie Park.
945 reviews
August 11, 2024
3.5 stars. The author gives her take on being Speaker and on various historic events such as the Iraq War, passing the ACA, 9/11, January 6. She touches on working with Trump and the disintegration of the Republican Party. Although there were some interesting insights, I felt disappointed at the end. I guess my expectations were that there would be more insights and food for thought for the future.
Profile Image for Kyra Whitelaw.
8 reviews14 followers
August 25, 2024
This was a super interesting book. It was very different than I expected, less a memoir about Nancy Pelosi’s life and more a series of somewhat independent chapters about major issues she has worked on during her time in Congress (ACA, human rights in China…). The chapters about the attack on Paul Pelosi and Jan 6 were emotional and a very interesting read. The book wasn’t particularly well-written but did feel like it was actually written by Pelosi in her voice.
623 reviews1 follower
September 4, 2024
Nancy Pelosi is a remarkable woman. The first and only female Speaker of the House she is arguably the most powerful political figure of this century. She comes from a long line of politicians and politics is in her DNA. Her legislative know- how is second to none and she was able to pass Obamacare amidst almost universal Republican opposition. The book is a fascinating personal look at her long career starting when she was forty-six and ran for Congress and won. She arrived in 1987 - the beginning of a long and successful career.

The book begins with a harrowing description of the attack on her husband, Paul. Paul was at their home in San Francisco when a man broke into their home demanding to see Nancy. She was in Washington, DC at the time. The attacker hit Paul Pelosi with a hammer and fractured his skull. He is lucky to be alive, but still suffers from the attack. The whole family was and remains traumatized.

"The Art of Power" covers Nancy Pelosi's role in some of the most important events of our time including the AIDs crisis, the 2008 economic crisis, the fight over Obamacare, the January 6th insurrection and much more. The description of the insurrection was truly hair-raising.

This is an important look at the events of our time through the eyes of a woman who was at the center of them all..

Profile Image for Henry.
4 reviews
September 7, 2024
Been way too long since I last finished a book, but started reading this as soon as it arrived after pre-order. An excellent read on the best politician that the Democratic party has had in my lifetime. Great insights into critical points and legislation in modern US history.
Profile Image for Olivia Dougherty.
49 reviews2 followers
August 15, 2024
I must’ve gotten an advanced copy (thank you, public libraries), and I have to say that I loved this book. The chapter about the break-in of her home and attack on her husband as well as the one on the insurrection literally gave me chills. The chapters that speak on other moments like affordable care and the housing crisis don’t just rehash the events but provide a lot of great interesting context. And of course, as I read the audiobook version, the disdain in her voice when she refers to Trump is just icing on the cake. Thoroughly enjoyed this and have all the respect in the world for Speaker Pelosi!
Profile Image for Teresa Andreani.
99 reviews2 followers
September 4, 2024
I admire her and enjoyed reading this first hand account by the first woman Speaker of the House of Representatives!
Profile Image for Enzo Miguel De Borja.
39 reviews2 followers
August 18, 2024
Nancy's story as the first woman Speaker of the US House of Representatives clearly showed her power - she knew how to count, how to encourage, cajole, and threaten, and how to win.

Her stories speak volumes to me as I work for two lawmakers in separate local government units. I've had the honor of drafting one landmark ordinance after another in less than a year. Some we have passed, others we are still fighting for. I have seen firsthand how, even with all the sound data and compelling testimony in the world, a good piece of legislation will never pass if you don't have the numbers.

From the first day I was given the chance to draft local laws, I understood that what I was writing were not mere words on paper; I was dealing with people's lives. Any legislator worth their salt would know how important their job really is. Nancy Pelosi is one such legislator.

Indeed, her House was in order.
39 reviews
August 17, 2024
One of my political idols. A great politician with a big heart for our children and health care reform. She will go down in history as a great leader and politician, not only a female who broke the glass ceiling as Speaker of the House. She got things done in a way most politicians don’t.
202 reviews
September 6, 2024
Nancy Pelosi states in the author’s notes at the end of The Art of Power, “This is my story of what I saw and what I heard at some of the momentous events of the last four decades and I’m glad to be able to tell it at last”.

When Nancy Pelosi took office in the House of Representatives on June 2, 1987, she introduced herself to her colleagues by saying that she came to do something about AIDS. From that brief two minute speech to the present day, she rose to the pinnacle of power in the House of Representatives. In her book she discusses events and legislation that were of special significance, including the financial crisis of 2008, the War in Iraq, January 6, the Affordable Care Act, China and Taiwan and the invasion of her home and assault of her husband Paul. I listened to the audiobook which she narrated with rapt attention. Her service to the country is unprecedented and the gift of this book that chronicles her time in office is a treasure.
Profile Image for Taylor.
138 reviews9 followers
August 16, 2024
This was a lot of "this happened, then this, then this," that seemed to make most of the book lack a personal touch. The most emotional part was her account of January 6, and I wish the rest of the book had that much emotion. But then again, the rest of the book didn't deal with something as serious as what and who was under attack that day.

It's evident through reading this how much Nancy respects this nation, our democracy, and our law. She does her job well, I think, and that is to listen to other people and vote on what she, as an elected official, believes is best. All I can ask for at this point is for the people we elect, in whatever position or role, to have the same outlook and respect.
Profile Image for Hart Ayoob.
16 reviews1 follower
September 4, 2024
A tad repetitive, but grateful for Speaker Pelosi’s indispensable role in advancing so many pieces of progressive legislation, so 5 stars, For the Children.

“I hope the American people will come to understand that the House’s vitality and combativeness reflect the country and are consistent with the vision of our founders. Personally, politically, and most importantly, patriotically, I have been truly honored to serve and lead in the People’s House . . . for the People.”
28 reviews
August 23, 2024
Hun er bare latterlig genial. Selvfølgelig står kapitlet om 6. Januar stærkt tilbage, det samme om hendes mands overfald. Men wow, tænk at have lavet så meget historie.
August 31, 2024
My favorite part of this memoir is how Nancy Pelosi relishes the retelling. What a wonderful example to women to acknowledge and celebrate their accomplishments. If she ever experienced imposter syndrome, she forgot about it and moved on. I appreciated the time she spent educating the reader on the processes of government. She explained terminology, things that don’t make sense to most of us, along with her actions in the situations. Would you like it if you were not a Democrat? If you acknowledge that is what she is and how she sees the world, then you could learn some leadership lessons to apply to your own life. Along with the book, I have enjoyed the multiple interviews she has given about the book. Truly, she is senior citizen done right.
Profile Image for Miglė.
117 reviews44 followers
August 30, 2024
I didn't know much about Nancy Pelosi before picking up her book, I could have vaguely said that she is in politics, but could not have described her values (not an American, forgive me).

but as the pre-election fever is picking up pace, I am picking up books on the US politics, and this one has been a pleasant surprise, showcasing fighting for the human rights in Tibet and China, for the fairness in the Middle East, for the very human compassion when facing the madness of recent political history.

the audiobook is read by the author, and it sounds like one hell of a determined, courageous, principled life.
Profile Image for Amy Travis.
123 reviews5 followers
September 3, 2024
What a privilege to hear directly from Speaker Pelosi about the workings of our government.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 276 reviews

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