by Susan Page
First published 2021
Susan Page chronicles Nancy Pelosi's journey from political daughter to powerhouse through over 150 exclusive interviews. Born Nancy D'Alesandro to a big-city mayor father and political organizer mother, she rejected her mother's suggestion to become a nun, joking that priesthood seemed more interesting. Pelosi entered politics at forty-six after raising five children, quickly discovering her true calling. Page argues that Pelosi mastered the internal mechanics of politics while struggling with public perception, facing attacks from conservatives and skepticism from progressives. The author traces how Pelosi challenged the Democratic establishment to become the first female Speaker, then consolidated power against rivals across the political spectrum. Page presents Pelosi's career as preparation for her ultimate test: confronting Donald Trump's presidency when she had privately planned retirement. Through behind-the-scenes details and revelations, Page documents the epic battle between Trump and Pelosi, positioning it as the defining political struggle of the era.
Genres: biography, american, political-science, politics, 21st-century
Vibes: intimate, suspenseful, thought-provoking
Tropes: enemies-to-lovers, political-intrigue
Setting: United States
Period: 21st Century
448 pages · Hardcover · Twelve